Ducks return 2021 third overall pick Mason McTavish to OHL

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Saturday that they've sent 2021 third overall pick Mason McTavish back to the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.

McTavish, 18, appeared in nine games for the Ducks this season, tallying three points (two goals, one assist), two penalty minutes, and was a plus-one. On October 13th, at 18 years, 256 days old, McTavish became the youngest goal scorer in Anaheim Ducks franchise history.

"After careful consideration and deliberation, we have decided to loan Mason McTavish to the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League," said Ducks Interim General Manager Jeff Solomon.

Solomon added, "While we are happy with Mason's development to date, we believe it is in his best long-term interests to continue his development playing in the OHL for the remainder of this season and, hopefully for Team Canada in the upcoming World Junior Championships. Among other things, this move should afford Mason the opportunity to gain additional experience playing his natural center position, which we believe will be beneficial to Mason and the Ducks in the long run."

Anaheim Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins also commented on the move, saying that they don't want to waste a year of McTavish's development.

"I wanted him to find a way to not be disappointed but to be really proud of himself," Eakins said after talking with McTavish. "That young man should be so proud of himself. The 'but' is we don't want to waste a year of this kid's development."

Eakins went on to add, "We could stick him on the wing (but) the reality is his minutes will go down and he's not playing his position. We need him to develop into one of our four centermen. I think he understands that, but that (conversation) was hard. You could see the kid sitting there trying to be strong. We really believe this is the right call."

The Petes say that McTavish is expected to be in their lineup on Thursday, November 25th against the North Bay Battalion.

Source: OHL

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