WATERLOO - Bling looks good on a supermodel walking down a catwalk.

Flashy is Deion Sanders tight-roping the sidelines after an interception.

Bling and flashy, however, don't win games.

Drew MacKenzie has won games for the Waterloo Black Hawks this season.

In last May's United States Hockey League draft, the Black Hawks could have gone with a flashy or sexy, in most cases, a high-scoring forward, with their first-round pick.

But Waterloo didn't need a flashy forward.

The Black Hawks already were set at that position with Billy Maday, Brett Olson and Brock Montpetit in the fold.

Waterloo needed defensemen.

The best guy available, in Waterloo's mind, was MacKenzie.

"It's like picking an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL draft," Black Hawks assistant coach and chief scout Shane Fukushima said. "A good offensive tackle is the one who protects the quarterback's weak side and are hard to come by.

"Drew MacKenzie is like a good offensive tackle … he protects our goalies. It wasn't a flashy or sexy pick, but it was the right pick for the Waterloo Black Hawks."

MacKenzie was taken in the first round, 12th overall out of Taft School in Connecticut where he played with former USHL standout and NHL first-round draft choice Max Pacioretty.

"We had quite a few college scouts, pro scouts and family advisers who highly recommended Drew to us," Fukushima said. "That is how we stumbled upon Drew. We just didn't think he'd still be standing at No. 12."

And what made MacKenzie 'flashy' to the Black Hawks was the 6-foot-2, 200-pounds the Vermont-bound MacKenzie carried on his skates.

"We were looking to fill the gap that Vinny LoVerde left," Fukushima said. "We felt Drew fit that bill, and we felt Drew was a good enough 'big guy' to fit on our big sheet of ice.

"We were jumping up and down when we got him at No. 12. We didn't think he'd be available that late. We would've taken him with the first pick if we had had the first pick … let's put it that way."

MacKenzie, from the moment he stepped on the ice at Waterloo's first try-out camp, has not been a disappointment.

In 51 games, he has two goals and 12 assists, while owning a plus 5, plus/minus rating.

"I've definitely learned a lot and gotten a lot better," MacKenzie said. "That is pretty much why I'm here."

In all likelihood, MacKenzie could've skipped the junior ranks and went straight to Division I hockey.

Vermont let him know it was his choice.

Additionally, MacKenzie was good enough that the Buffalo Sabres were willing to make him their seventh-round pick in last June's NHL Entry draft.

"I had a couple of buddies, including Max (Pacioretty) who played out here and they loved it," MacKenzie said. "Obviously, this is a better league and better competition than what I was facing in the prep school ranks and I wanted to get better, be an impact player when I got to Vermont."

MacKenzie arrived in Waterloo sight unseen.

But his impact has been felt throughout the league. The New Caanan, Conn. native has thrown his body around behind the Black Hawks' net and hasn't been afraid to mix it up.

"We knew he was a good player and that, obviously, is why our team took him No. 1," said fellow blueliner Blake Kessel. "He brings a physical presence out there on the ice day in, day out along with the skill to make the first pass and make plays at the blueline."

MacKenzie will be heading to Hockey East next year, but says his year of seasoning in the United States Hockey League has been everything he could've asked and it will be a year he'll remember.

"I was hoping to be more offensive, put up more points, but defensively I think I've done a good job of playing solid 'D' and helping our team get Ws," MacKenzie said.

"I'm going to miss the guys, the fans … I mean playing in front of a packed house every night is crazy. I love it."

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com