How Mason McTavish’s sensational 2022 World Juniors should help earn a spot on the Ducks’ opening night roster
Mason McTavish has done what he set out to do this summer – win gold at the 2022 World Juniors. The Canada captain helped the team to their 19th IIHF U20 Championship title last weekend when he defeated Finland 3-2 in overtime.
McTavish is one of the few players from Canada who will qualify for the 2023 tournament in December. However, if McTavish’s development continues as it has so far, the 19-year-old should not take part in the Halifax/Moncton games.
The Ducks’ 2021 draft pick will be competing for a spot on Anaheim’s roster ahead of the 2022-23 season this fall. While most of those interested in his situation opted not to play for the World Juniors, with the Ducks, McTavish insisted he go. The move paid off as the team not only won gold, but McTavish earned MVP and Best Forward honors of the tournament thanks to his 17 points in seven games.
The World Juniors were the icing on the cake of a roller-coaster ride of the 2021-22 season for McTavish. He started in the AHL last season and played in three games before being called up. He ran in nine games for the Ducks last year before being sent back to the OHL as playing in 10 games would have burned a year on his entry-level contract.
McTavish returned to the Peterborough Petes but was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs a few days later. With Hamilton, he won the OHL championship and reached the finals of the Memorial Cup. Oh, McTavish also (briefly) played at the canceled World Juniors 2022 and Winter Olympics with Team Canada. Talk about a busy year.
Overall, McTavish ran in 79 regular season, playoff and tournament games with six different teams in 2021–22. He recorded 40 goals and 42 assists, good for 82 points.
MORE: McTavish’s goal line salvages biggest takeaway from Canada’s gold medal win
The promising forward has all the momentum on his side heading into the Ducks’ preseason. Given last season’s instability, will McTavish settle down in Anaheim and play consistently with the Ducks in the 2022-23 season?
Will Mason McTavish pull Ducks roster out of training camp?
Given where McTavish started the 2021-22 campaign and how far he’s come now, it’s safe to say he should earn a roster spot outside of camp.
McTavish likely would have spent the entirety of last season in either the NHL or the AHL if the Ducks hadn’t opted not to burn the year on his entry-level contract. Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said last year the organization felt McTavish would benefit more from his development if he returned to Canada’s major juniors and played his natural center position.
That year, however, McTavish dominated the playing kids of his own age group and didn’t look out of place at the Olympics against older competitors. He has continued to showcase a well-rounded toolkit that allows him to shine at both ends of the ice. McTavish is creative with the puck on his racquet, has an excellent shot and is solid defensively as well. You add in the fact that he never shys away from taking a hit and he looks like a complete package for the Ducks.
All of this suggests McTavish will likely travel to Anaheim after camp. At the very least, he could start in the AHL to start the season with the San Diego Gulls and get called up when the time is right.
Where does McTavish fit into the Ducks’ lineup?
McTavish, of course, plays the center. He excelled in the OHL role with Hamilton/Peterborough and with Canada at the World Juniors.
However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Anaheim initially chooses to play McTavish on the wing. The club did the same with Trevor Zegras, where he initially played wing in the NHL to get used to the speed. He continued to play his natural position as a center in the AHL and eventually worked his way into a top six center role.
MORE: Who can return to play at World Juniors 2023?
McTavish would likely see more Ice Age on the wing. With Zegras and Ryan Strome occupying the center spot on the first two lines, McTavish could at best play center on the third line. But on the wing it’s pretty open who will play on which lines. Troy Terry, Adam Henrique and newly signed Frank Vatrano should take three of the four wing spots in the front two rows of forwards, but McTavish could fight for the final opener.
If not, McTavish could play as a wing in the third row and get the reps required for that role. Perhaps after a month of two in the NHL, the Ducks will center McTavish and let him take the middle third-row role, or he can continue this season as a winger if it works for both him and the team.
Regardless, there are spots for McTavish in the Ducks’ roster to get him quality NHL minutes. It can only depend on when during the season and in which position.