Mason McTavish

Mason McTavish (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Anaheim Ducks spent a disproportionate amount of time in the national conversation this summer as talks with Mason McTavish lingered and trade rumors swirled.

Despite the protracted negotiations, both team and player were committed to a return. With one preseason game under his belt and a new coach behind his bench, McTavish has hit the ground running with four assists in as many games. 

The 22-year-old who was taken third overall in 2021 sat down with RG Media for an early-season update after his new pact made him $42 million richer.

Interview With Mason McTavish

– For you, last season was sort of divided into halves, one with less consistency and then a second half where you were the main producer on the team. What was it that clicked into place for you whether it was personally or in terms of who you were playing with?

– I think I just started playing how I wanted to play. I stopped thinking as much out there and listening to as much stuff. I started going out, trusting my instincts and playing my own game. That’s what helped my consistency and my production. It was just going out there, trusting my instincts, trying not to listen to as much, just going out there and playing hockey. 

– Of course that stretch run paid off in a big way for you, what does it mean to have this kind of contract security? I know at the time you’d said you weren’t sure why talks dragged well into camp, have you gotten any clarity on that since?

– I kind of stopped talking about it. I’m glad that’s over. That sucked, sitting out [of training camp]. Even though it was a great result for me, and the team, it’s nice to just kind of put that past me. I’m not sure, still, I don’t know why it took so long.

– When you first got here you had two lottery picks behind you with Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras, and not only was there an idea that you guys would grow together as pros on the ice but you were all really close away from the rink. What has it been like adjusting to all the roster turnover, especially young core guys like that, as this roster took shape?

– Yeah, no, it’s tough, those were my best friends on the team and now they’re both gone. But that’s just part of the game; that can happen. It’s tough and it’s s****y. But, we’ve got a great group in here and it’s easy to talk to all the guys. They’ve been really awesome, so I’m very grateful for everybody in here.

– Sam Colangelo came onto the line with you Cutter Gauthier last season, he got on a long goal streak, now Beckett Sennecke gets on a roll with you guys, too, scoring in each of his first two games. What about you and Cutter, whether it’s style of play or personality or whatever, allows you to read off each other so well?

– I think we compliment each other really well. He’s a really good skater who shoots the puck really well. I can hold onto the puck and find him in those soft areas, and he can really put the puck in the net, like I said. Beckett is a super smart player. You can put him anywhere and he can make plays, that’s what he’s been doing.

– How much did Joel Quenneville coming in enthuse you? What are the primary differences you see with his approach and systems from Greg Cronin’s?

– I love it. I like Q. I’ve only been here a couple weeks now, but it’s very uptempo with short meetings. Then, on the ice, we play very aggressive, it’s very fun to play. You’re not thinking as much, you’re always going and that’s why I think it’s easier for some of the young kids that are coming in. You just go, go, go. You skate, work hard and make plays. As long as you’re working hard, everybody’s here for a reason. You trust your instincts and play well. Obviously there’s a system, but I think the biggest emphasis is on hard work and also discipline, which we’ve got to get better at.

– I know a big thing you emphasized was the quality of the group here and the organization’s vision for the future. What have General Manager Pat Verbeek and the management laid out to you as far as their short and long term expectations for this young core?

– Short-term, this year, we really want to make the playoffs. I think that’s very doable and we have the team to do it. It’s up to the players to get that done and hopefully the coaches will guide us in the right direction, but it’s up to us. I really believe we have the group to do it.