Many of the Anaheim Ducks’ prospects have had their games postponed recently due to COVID issues, but those who have been able to play are doing quite well. With those who were at the now-postponed World Juniors, back with their respective teams, we are just entering the stretch run for many of the collegiate and junior teams.
Mason McTavish was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday as the Bulldogs look toward securing a playoff spot. The Peterborough Petes, McTavish’s previous team, sit at the bottom of the East Division in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Getting assets for McTavish is key, seeing as the forward will likely be a full-time NHLer next season.
McTavish scored his sixth goal of the season last week upon returning from World Juniors camp and wasted no time in getting on the board for his new team, scoring in his first game with the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Though McTavish didn’t look out of place when he was with the Ducks earlier this season, it’s all about having him spend another full season at the center position and filling him with confidence as he dominates at the junior level. He’s been able to do that and could potentially do the same next month with Team Canada if named to the Olympic roster.
Sam Colangelo has been out with injury since the beginning of November, but he returned with a bang, racking up 5 points in three games this past week. Notably, Colangelo had two goals on the power play. Colangelo’s three points last Saturday were also a career-high for him in a collegiate game. It’s nice to see the player doing well after such a long layoff.
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Ducks, Colangelo now has nine points in 11 games this season with Northeastern. The forward only played in eight games for Northeastern last season due to the later collegiate season start and injury. He was also part of the Team USA roster that competed at the 2021 World Juniors, scoring one goal in seven games.
There could be news regarding the resumption of the 2022 World Juniors during the Beijing Winter Olympics, which means that McTavish, Zellweger, Sasha Pastujov, and Ian Moore could potentially get one more shot at playing for their respective countries at the junior level.
With McTavish on the shortlist of players expected to be named to Team Canada’s roster for the Winter Olympics, it would certainly be interesting to see him represent Canada again at the World Juniors.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!