2021 NHL Draft Profile: Mason McTavish Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg1MDUxMDgxNjAwMjc5ODMz/mason-mctavish.jpg] BORN Jan. 30, 2003, Zurich, Sui. 2020-21 Olten POS C HT 6-2 WT 207 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 5 Another top player who went to Europe this season, McTavish headed to Switzerland – which is actually his birth country. His father is former pro player Dale McTavish, who spent a decade in that country after a nine-game NHL stint. Suiting up for Olten in the second-tier Swiss League, Mason made an impression with his hardnosed, hit-anything-that-moves work ethic. “He looked good over there,” said one scout. “His release is terrific, he loves to shoot the puck, and he loves to get to the net. He’s a heavy body. Sort of a one-speed guy, but he’s competing and working more than last year, so that’s growth in his game.” McTavish finished off the season back in North America with Canada’s world under-18 squad. Next year, he’ll be the centerpiece in OHL Peterborough, where he can continue to work on his overall game. “If he’s not on your top line, he struggles a bit,” said another scout. “He’s probably the best pure goal-scorer in Ontario, which isn’t saying a lot this year, but it is something.” McTavish is a big-bodied center in a draft class that’s short on high-end pivots.
