Hamilton Bulldog Center Mason Makutabish many different uniforms

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Hamilton Bulldog Center Mason McTabish is 1 In the season, some players have played on more teams than they have in their careers.

It is estimated that McTabish has about 150 members this season as members of Anaheim Ducks, San Diego Gal, Peter Ballapito, Canada's World Junior Team, Canada's Olympic Team and Bulldog. There were different teammates.

The third-chosen McTabish in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft may not remember all the teammates he played with this season, but as expected NHL stars, everyone. May remember him.

"It was definitely a lot of hockey, but that's what I want to do," said Maktabish before Bulldog took on Shawinigan Cataract in the fourth game of the Memorial Cup. Said on Thursday. "I'm very fortunate to play in various tournaments and leagues, especially here in Hamilton. My main focus right now is to win the Memorial Cup.

" But It's definitely weird. It takes a while to adjust which league to play and with whom, but it was a lot of fun to play NHL, then AHL, and back to junior. It's always been really fun to play hockey. This year was a fun year. It's definitely not a normal year. "

Mactabish born in Zurich, where his father Dale played professionally. Returned to Switzerland two seasons ago to annihilate junior hockey and play with EHC Horten as a COVID-19 pandemic. He played against a Canadian team under the age of 18 in the spring and was named Anaheim in last year's draft.

McTavish started with ducks this season and scored the youngest goal in franchise history. He was sent to play at AHL before returning to Junior to play with Pete. He then faced Canada at the World Junior Championships before COVID-19 closed the tournament. The tournament was then rescheduled in August.

Shortly after returning to OHL, McTabish saw two players and was bought by the Bulldogs in a blockbuster deal with three draft topics moving in opposite directions.

"I knew this team was pretty good, and when I got here, I was surprised at how good they were," McTabish said. "I think I lost only one regular season match I'm playing here. It's pretty crazy to be part of a team like this and I'm really lucky."

McTavish Was the last piece of the Bulldog Championship puzzle. When the Bulldogs won the OHL title and reached 16-3 in the postseason, he scored 14 and 40 points in 24 regular season games and added 16 and 29 points in 19 playoff games. ..

"I didn't know much about the members of the team, but it's definitely easier for older men," says McTavish. "But like any other team, it takes a lot of time to listen first and then work on it. They're all great people, and even young people interact with older people, so others. Unlike the junior team in. Older guys hang out with older guys and younger guys hang out together.

"There's a great group out there. , It starts with coaching staff and they have a great job of integrating everyone. ”

NHL decided not to send players to China before McTavish actually settled with Bulldog. Later, he got a tap to represent Canada at the Olympics.

"The Olympics were cool, they were different," McTabish said. "It was cool to go to the Olympics at the age of 18 and meet other athletes. The most fun was going to other events and meeting all the other athletes. That's definitely me. It was an unforgettable one. ”

After returning home, McTabish helped lead the bulldog to the top of the OHL ranking. After sweeping the first three rounds of the playoffs, Hamilton needed seven games to clear the Windsor Spitfire in the final.

Hamilton lost the first Memorial Cup match on Monday, losing to host St. John Sea Dogs 4-3. St. John Sea Dogs was eliminated in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs. 38 days layoff.

"Sure, we've made a lot of friendships this year. Probably because we've been here for the longest time, we've been the closest to the people here," McTabish said. "Hockey is great. You can meet lots of new people and build lifelong friendships. I'm very lucky to be able to play and meet lots of special people."

Bulldog feels lucky to have him and hopes he can help him win his first Memorial Cup Championship. This is the second time the Bulldogs have participated in this event and lost in the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament at Regina.

"Mason is a game breaker. He's the guy who goes out there and can sometimes actually turn it on and control in the game," said Bulldog head coach Jay McKee. "He's a great teammate and a really good guy. He loves hockey games and has a real competitive edge that extends to other players.

" At the same time. He's a guy who can keep things loose around the dressing room. I think it's good for our club. I think they can play better if everyone is loose. And he It was a really influential player for us. "

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