Powell River Minor Hockey product Keaton Mastrodonato will be starting a new phase in his professional career this fall, heading to Ontario, California, to play with the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Ontario Reign.
Currently in BC for his summer training, Mastrodonato is putting in about five days a week in the gym and three days a week on the ice to prepare for playing with his new team this fall.
Ontario signed Mastrodonato to a one-year contract for the coming hockey season, and he is excited about joining his new team. Mastrodonato has previously had contracts with Colorado Eagles and Texas Stars of the AHL, and also spent time playing for ECHL affiliated teams of the Eagles and Stars.
“I decided to go into the free agent market again and see what kinds of opportunities were out there, and I am obviously blessed with this opportunity to go to a great organization in Ontario, and hopefully, prove myself, and do what I can to make the jump to the next level,” said Mastrodonato.
He said that while he was with the Eagles, he had to opportunity to play against the Reign.
“They play in the same Pacific Division as the Eagles,” said Mastrodonato. “They were a strong team and a hard team to play against. I’m looking forward to wearing the new sweater and being on the flip side of those matchups.”
Mastrodonato said his signing with the Reign is still fresh, so he does not know all the details about when training camp begins.
“However, I’m super excited to get down there,” said Mastrodonato. “I’m thinking training camp will start sometime around the second week of September.”
The regular season for the Reign begins October 10 with a home game against Tucson Roadrunners.
“I’m excited for the calendar to roll into October because that means hockey season is here,” said Mastrodonato. “It’s fast approaching. I’m looking forward to this next opportunity with a new organization, with some new faces, and hopefully, a really successful season.”
Mastrodonato was successful in the ECHL these past two seasons. With Utah, last year, in 53 games, he totalled 49 points from 19 goals and 30 assists, so he was nearly a point a game player. The previous year, with the ECHL Idaho Steelheads, he had 42 points, including 24 goals and 18 assists, in 48 games.
“In terms of the ECHL, I really found my way and was able to contribute offensively with both Idaho and Utah,” said Mastrodonato. “I was able to score goals, which is obviously what I love doing.”
Mastrodonato played 13 AHL games with Colorado last season, and 19 with Texas the previous season. He is looking at spending more time in the AHL this coming season.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time in the AHL and it’s been nothing short of amazing,” said Mastrodonato. “You’re playing against a tonne of NHL prospects, and also, guys who may be in their later stages of their careers, having already played a tonne of games in the NHL. So, it’s a really big challenge, but it’s ultimately where I want to be.
“t means you are one step closer to making the NHL. So, it’s a pretty cool, full-circle moment for me to be in front of all those fans and play in those buildings against all those elite players.”
Mastrodonato said he’d like to think that with his professional experience, he has become a lot better at hockey. Now 24, and having played college hockey for four years prior to turning professional, he is working on how to consistently bring offence and that scoring touch to his professional game.
“I’m trying to find what sets me apart from the other players at the AHL level and I’m working to get my foot in the door to become a full-time AHL player,” said Mastrodonato. “The next step would be the NHL. In the meantime, I am just finding those little things within my game, and honing in on those small details, to allow me to get to the next level.”
Mastrodonato said his new team has set him up with an off-season fitness program. He’s currently working out in Victoria in preparation for the coming hockey season. He said he has a good routine for conditioning, going into his third season of professional play.
“The program has been successful for the past two years, so I’m sticking to the routine and I’m trying to add different layers and new elements to my training in order to get to the next step,” said Mastrodonato.
He is looking forward to meeting his new teammates. He said one of the perks of playing professional hockey is getting to see and be part of a number of organizations, meeting and playing with and against a lot of people.
“The hockey world is quite small, and you end up meeting people around the rinks and growing and building those relationships,” said Mastrodonato. “You never know when someone down the line is going to reach back or look out for you in a situation. It’s about getting to know everybody and getting familiar with the LA Kings organization. I’m excited to be part of such an historic organization – one that has been very successful.
“This is the right direction for me and it has felt right since the first, early conversations with Ontario and LA. I’ve always been a true believer of going somewhere where you are wanted. It’s great to make it official and to be part of a great organization.”
In addition to playing minor hockey in Powell River, Mastrodonato played for Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BC Hockey League, as well as Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, from 2019 to 2023, scoring 36 points, including 16 goals and 20 assists, in 42 games in his final year of college hockey.
While in college, he was twice nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to US college hockey’s most outstanding player.
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