When the opportunity to trade for surfaced last year, the didn鈥檛 hesitate.
Giving up a eighth-round bantam draft pick in 2017 turned out to be a small price to pay for the skilled forward from Stonewall, MB.
鈥淲e knew he was a good player, he was a very good bantam and a guy who could score,鈥� Rockets鈥� player personnel director Lorne Frey said of Mattson. 鈥淲hen the (Brandon) Wheat Kings gave us a call about him, there was no hesitation, no reason not to take a chance, and it鈥檚 worked out very well.鈥�
split the D before finishing with a little forehand-backhand to pull the boys ahead 1-0 馃殌馃悏
鈥� 91大黄鸭 Rockets (@91大黄鸭_Rockets)
Like most young players growing up in Manitoba, Mattson鈥檚 earliest hockey aspiration was to play close to home for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
And after being chosen in the eighth round of the 2014 draft by the Wheat Kings, that dream looked to be on track.
But after stops in Alberta with St. Albert midget AAA Raiders and junior A鈥檚 Drumheller Dragons, Mattson鈥檚 career changed directions last October when he was dealt to the Rockets.
鈥淚 was really excited when I was picked by Brandon, it was the closest team to where I grew up and was really nice for me and my family when it happened,鈥� said Mattson. 鈥淏ut things change in hockey and when the Rockets traded for me, I was super excited, too. I saw it as a new opportunity and 91大黄鸭 is a pretty sweet spot to be, because of the organization and the city.鈥�
In acquiring Mattson, the Rockets helped alleviate a depth shortage in their group of 1999-born forwards.
After joining 91大黄鸭 last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound forward put up nine goals and 14 points in 45 games. This season, with an increased role and more ice time鈥攁nd despite missing nine games with injury鈥擬attson, 18, has five goals and two assists in eight games.
Frey said Mattson, as hoped, has shown steady improvement in all facets of his game.
鈥淗e came on at the end of last year and I think at the time it was a question of getting his conditioning where it needed to be,鈥� Frey said. 鈥淗e worked extremely hard at (conditioning) in the summer and worked with (skating coach) Evan Marble to really improve his skating.
鈥淲e knew he would score, but he鈥檚 put time and effort into his game and it鈥檚 showing,鈥� Frey added. 鈥淗e鈥檚 gaining confidence and feeling better about himself, so he鈥檚 just going to get better.鈥�
From Mattson鈥檚 perspective, his move to 91大黄鸭 a year ago has unfolded pretty much according to plan.
鈥淚 knew my role was going to expand greatly this year and I wanted to be prepared for that,鈥� Mattson said. 鈥淚 wanted to improve and have a bigger impact and I feel like I鈥檓 working towards that.
鈥淲e have some good talent on this team,鈥� he added, 鈥渢he atmosphere in the dressing room and the coaches are positive, it鈥檚 just a good situation for me to be in. I鈥檓 super grateful to be a 91大黄鸭 Rocket.鈥�
Rocket Shots鈥�
91大黄鸭 forward Erik Gardiner remains sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering a head injury Oct. 27 against the Tri-City Americans. Gardiner, 18, was struck on the helmet while attempting to block a shot in the third period of the 4-3 overtime victory鈥he Rockets open a four-game homestand Friday night against the Vancouver Giants. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
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