“It was definitely something special, and something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Those words from Ty Mason about his experiences playing with Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia earlier this month, and coming home from the tournament with a gold medal.
While Canada West did come home with the gold, things didn’t start the way they wanted them to. In the round-robin portion of the five-team tournament, Canada West fell 4-2 to Sweden, 5-2 to Canada West, and 5-1 to the United States, but managed a 7-3 win over Slovakia. While they had a record of 1-3, they managed to clinch the fourth seed, and a berth in the semi-finals.
“Our record going into the semifinal games is the worst it could have been,” Mason said. “We just found a way to beat Team USA to go to the finals, and everything went smoothly for us from there.”
Mason would have three assists in the semi-final game, helping on two goals from Logan Sawyer, and one from Humboldt Broncos standout Matthew Van Blaricom.
While he had helped his team to a win that guaranteed a medal, the game against Slovakia will be one he will always remember, as he picked up an assist in the first goal of the game.
“When I got the first one, it was definitely something that was a special moment because I got my first point wearing the Maple Leaf,” Mason told Discover Weyburn when visiting the studios Thursday. “Then, when I got the other ones, it’s an exciting feeling because you know that you helped out in your team scoring and winning games.”
Canada West then finished the tournament strong, routing Canada East 7-2 to win the gold medal. While Mason didn’t pick up any points, he was on the scoresheet, getting a minor for roughing late in the second period.
Back home in Weyburn for now, Mason will soon be back to Brooks, where he is playing with the Bandits of the AJHL this season. He ended up there after being released by the Fargo Force of the USHL. After spending two seasons with his hometown Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings, playing in the AJHL is something that is familiar yet different for the 18-year-old.
While he is finding success in Brooks right now, having picked up 13 goals and 13 assists in 26 games this season, Weyburn is still home for him.
“I miss a lot about Weyburn,” Mason said. “Obviously, it’s my hometown, so I miss the community, I miss the fans, I miss all my teammates, my former teammates and coaches. I miss a lot about it.”
Mason will be back to Brooks shortly after Christmas, with the defending Centennial Cup champions back in action on December 30th.