First pro season fulfills product of Powell River Minor Hockey

Powell River Minor Hockey product and now professional player Keaton Mastrodonato is having an excellent season in the ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League), scoring at a point-a-game pace with Idaho Steelheads.

Mastrodonato, 23, began the season with Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he registered his first goal as a professional hockey player.

“It was awesome and truly a memorable moment,” said Mastrodonato. “It felt amazing to get that first one out of the way in front of the home crowd there in Texas. It was against a goaltender that I am pretty familiar with, Chris Driedger, who has played a lot of games in the NHL, most recently with Seattle Kraken. I get a good smile with that puck sitting on my nightstand in my room.”

Mastrodonato skated for the Texas Stars for 19 games, scoring four goals as a fourth-line forward before being assigned to Idaho, where his team is situated in the city of Boise. The Steelheads and Texas Stars are both part of the NHL’s Dallas Stars organization.

In his first 36 ECHL games this season, Mastrodonato had scored 20 goals and had 15 assists for 35 points. His team is in second place in the ECHL mountain division and has locked up a playoff spot.

Mastrodonato is enjoying his time in Idaho.

“I love it here and it’s a well-run organization, with a great coaching staff and a great group of guys,” said Mastrodonato. “The lifestyle here is great and I’ve been treated really well, so I can’t complain.”

When interviewed, Mastrodonato said he had just scored his 21st goal against Trois-Rivières Lions and it was good that he was maintaining consistency in the scoring department and putting up points on a consistent basis.

“It’s nice anytime you can contribute at this level for your team,” said Mastrodonato.

He said he is super-happy with his time spent in the Stars’ organization, starting from NHL training camp in Dallas and a preseason game against Colorado Avalanche, then getting reassigned to Texas and continuing to develop his game there. In Idaho, he has the opportunity to play 20 to 22 minutes a night in a top role and excel at that.

“It’s helped my game moving forward,” said Mastrodonato. “The best way to develop is obviously having the opportunity to play lots. The more you play, the more comfortable you get and the more confidence you have moving forward.

“I’m getting the chance to play in multiple situations, such as the power play, penalty killing, and playing five-on-five. It just helps me well-round my pro game and you can continue to work on those pro habits every single day.”

Adding layers

Mastrodonato said he has paid attention in Boise to the defensive side of his game, plus as a winger, working the puck on the wall and being able to help on breakouts.

“I continue to add layers to my game,” said Mastrodonato. “I’m trying to be more physical. I’ve also been working on faceoffs to add more to my game and to provide more options moving forward.”

There is strong fan support for the Steelheads in Boise. Mastrodonato said almost every single game is a sellout.

“I really love playing in Idaho because of the fan support and each and every game is a tremendous experience from a fan perspective,” said Mastrodonato. “We usually get around 6,000 fans for every single game. It has been a lot of fun all year.”

Mastrodonato said he had no regrets about his time in the AHL and thought he did really well while with the Texans.

“I was really happy with how my game came along in the two months, roughly, that I spent with them,” said Mastrodonato.

He is hoping to return to Texas.

“The goal is always to advance to the next level and I’m doing everything here in Idaho to continue to round my game and make any adjustments needed,” said Mastrodonato. “I’m working hard at my game to make it back to the AHL, and ultimately, the goal is getting the final step of cracking into the NHL.

“I’m playing a tonne of hockey and I’m in really good shape moving forward, hopefully prepping the body for a long playoff run.”

Other than some minor bumps and bruises, Mastrodonato has remained injury free this season, for which he is thankful.

He said the longer season than he played in collegiate hockey in the United States has allowed him to create what will be some great memories.

“I want to live this experience as long as I can,” said Mastrodonato, “and have an awesome time.”

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