After a wild and global year of playing hockey, McTavish prepares for the challenge of wearing the Canadian colors.

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Mason McTavish wasn’t going to get ahead of himself Wednesday, thinking about the potential excitement of playing for his sixth team this year.

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His focus at TD Place was leading the Peterborough Petes against the Ottawa 67.

On Thursday, however, the mindset will change, with McTavish leaving for Calgary and the start of training camp for Canada’s world youth team.

“I’m still 100 percent with the Petes,” said McTavish, who entered the game with five goals in three games since returning from the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. “I guess it will be that way until I’m on that plane.”

If McTavish rips up the Canadian lineup, playing for another team elsewhere, that would be an appropriate thing to do.

McTavish, the son of former NHL member Dale McTavish, grew up in Carp. He has already followed his father’s path playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings, the Petes, in Switzerland and on the Canadian national teams.

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It certainly made the most of a 2020-21 youth season that was knocked out due to Covid-19.

In a span of 11 months, McTavish has played professionally in Europe, was selected third overall by Anaheim, scored his first goals in the NHL and AHL and won an under-18 world title in Canada in Texas. Winning a junior world title in Edmonton would be a lot more gold on a shiny resume.

The year began with McTavish returning to Switzerland, where he was born, to play for Olten in a second-tier professional league.

In 13 games with Olten, McTavish scored nine goals and two assists, helping improve his position for last July’s NHL entry draft.

“It was great, so much fun, they were all great for me, a great experience for me,” he said.

From there, McTavish went to Texas, joining Shane Wright, Connor Bedard and Brennan Othmann on Canada’s explosive U-18 team in late April and May. Othmann, a first-round selection from the New York Rangers in July, also played with McTavish at Olten. That gang will be back together at Canada’s World Youth Camp.

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“We are all close after winning that gold medal,” said McTavish, who scored five goals and six assists in seven games at the tournament. “It’s always nice to see those guys and I’ve definitely had some really good battles against them (at OHL).”

When it comes to getting selected by Anaheim and taking his first steps in the NHL, it’s impossible to imagine a better start.

Within thirteen minutes of his major league debut, Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck rebounded from Isac Lundestrom and McTavish threw a backhand into the net. The goal was originally rejected, putting McTavish in agonizing wait, but it counted after video review.

“Low glove,” said McTavish, who at 18 years and 256 days became the youngest Duck, and the sixth youngest player in NHL history, to score a goal.

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He also had an assist in the 4-1 win, with his family present at The Pond in Anaheim.

“That first game, playing in the NHL, it was a dream, it’s where I wanted to be.”

McTavish scored again in his sixth game, a 7-4 victory over Seattle. He also had one goal and one assist in three games on a conditioning assignment with San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate.

Then came the late November news that no young prospect wants to hear. The Ducks opted to send him back to the Petes for the remainder of the season.

“I was not very happy, but I was excited to see everyone in Peterborough, especially after not seeing anyone last year during the Covid year,” he said.

“Definitely, the pace in the NHL is much higher and there is not as much time and space to make the little plays. I didn’t change my focus, I just do what I do, go to the rink and play hockey. The best thing for me was to go back and maintain a good attitude. I have no problem being here. “

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Part of the advantage of being back in junior, of course, is the opportunity to play in the tournament that has become a Christmas tradition.

If McTavish makes the team, his family will make plans to be there in person. Last year, the tournament was played in a bubble, with no spectators.

Nothing should be taken for granted. Undefeated until the championship game last year, Canada lost the final for the gold medal to the United States.

In the last nine years, Canada, the United States and Finland have each won three times.

Canadian coach Dave Cameron, who is also the coach of the 67, was behind the bench in Canada’s loss to Russia in the 2011 gold medal game.

“It is certainly a really exciting time for all Canadian children, watching Christmas,” McTavish said of his world youth memories. “I was always on TV, I was always watching those games. It’s great to be a part of the camp and I look forward to being a part of that team. “

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