Overview
A ninth-round pick in the 2019 OHL priority draft out of the Compuware system in Detroit, Mast was able to crack the 2019/20 Sarina roster with great success. A physically gifted and intelligent defender, many heralded the pick as a steal… I have to agree. As the season went on, Mast impressed and became not just a complimentary piece in Sarnia, but was a focal point on defence. His current general manager Dylan Seca labels him an “Excellent student. Very dedicated player. He watches a lot of video. Intelligent person and hockey player.”
So just what can we unearth in his game?
Fantastic Zone Exit Ability
I really appreciate Mast’s ability to create efficient zone exits. He’s got a great read on the game and utilises his combination of vision and under-appreciated skating ability to push the pace from defence.
Mast’s stretch passes are a great asset. He is able to gather the puck in his own-end; take a stride or two, assess and deliver accurate and firm two-line passes onto the tape of his forwards. His passes are very hard and well directed, attributed to his obvious physical strength and both timing/passing vision. The angles on his passes are impressive too. He’s able to dish 45-degree passes through multiple layers of defence with consistency. Another string to Ryan’s passing bow that impresses me is the capacity to pass his forwards open. He’s got a sound understanding of how working the puck into space can eventuate into positive plays. They often tend to be deeper passes into the offensive zone and don’t really place Instantaneous pressure from the point of puck retrieval by the defence if they are to miss. The positive results of finding these spaces and generating dangerous scoring chances majorly outweigh the negative results; low-risk with high-reward.
His allusiveness, impressive first-step speed and awareness allow a solid proficiency in skating his way out of congestion; finding adequate space in order to make such passes. His poise in his own end, especially deep is A+.
Mast is a fantastic exponent of finding ways to navigate congestion and get back into a sheltered position below the goal-line or laterally into the middle of his own zone where he’s able to then restart the rush. His intelligence in this regard shouldn’t be an issue as he progresses through higher levels of play. He’s shown that under duress from a heavy forecheck, playing a bit quicker isn’t an issue when the game speed and ferocity elevates around him.
Sound Offensive Insticts
However, Mast builds off of his exit passes and follows up the play extremely well. He may not do it as regularly as a ‘standard’ offensive defenceman, but when he does time his support rush, he invests into low-risk/high-reward areas. By this I mean, he doesn’t pinch down too low chasing the puck or place himself into the offensive zone if he doesn’t sense a chance of puck involvement. He shows a strong propensity to not shy away from his positioning higher in the neutral zone during a rush unless he can sniff out dangerous offensive chances when time allows. I think he is somewhat limited with top-end speed, which may prevent him from shooting into those holes with a lot of regularity but his intellect allows him to play to his strengths; this is yet another aspect to his game that is natural.
His goal total only may have been one in season 19/20, but his bursts into the mid-range are very dangerous when he does so as you can see. He also had some rotten puck luck which naturally, should change.
There is also a pleasant passing game within his cycle work and rushing attempts. Mast skates with head up and is always processing information in order to make smart plays. Much like his outlet game, he displays great acumen in the offensive zone finding passing seams. As he’s always moving his feet with the puck loaded, he’s able to make a variety of passes off of his shot into multiple areas.
Zone Entry Work And Their Improvements
Whilst his passing and exit by foot is strong, his ability to exit the zone in transition and create entries by way of carrying the puck are still developing. He will often break the plane of the offensive blue-line and seek to find a quick shot or dump the puck in, relevant to the situation. He also can tend to rely on his size to force holes and bully his way through contact but hey, he isn’t by any means a puck wizard so I don’t expect him to dangle anyone out of their skates.
What I do want to see is Mast implement some subtle speed changes and changes of entry angle to be a little less repetitive and unlock some more offensive efficiency. He has the smarts to do so,that I don’t doubt. It’s just about translating the same posie and muscle memory into that aspect of his game.
Defensive Workhorse, Killer Of All Things Transition
Whilst Mast may not be a dynamic zone entry beast, Mast himself sure knows how to prevent it. I knew he was good, but I had to dig further so I mulled over @MitchLBrown’s CHL data. Mast popped up in the 73rd percentile for defensive zone break-ups in a massive 300 defender-long tracking set. Relative to his team average, he sat in the 85th percentile for Entry prevention and in the 58th for Carry-In against average. Besides his flourishing offensive skills, his defensive work one-on-one solidifies his importance to Sarnia. Not only does the eye test prove it but so do the numbers, subsequently.
Sarnia plays a fast, north/south run and gun type style. Fast puck movement is the name of the game. They commit a lot of energy into the offensive zone and rely on bodies being available in good areas. The onus placed up the team’s defensemen is evident; when the puck comes your way you have to beat your guy one-on-one. Mast does a terrific job of being able to use his stick at the line to force loose pucks, follows up with his body to seal the play and more often than not will undercut everyone else to the puck and clear his zone.
Mast does a superlative job of combining his skating, angles and frame to control the angle of the forwards entry within his gap. He uses his hips and feet to square his opponent up, creating a vacuum of space along the boards in which he can close. And on the odd occasion he doesn’t win his blue-line or zone battle, Mast does a terrific job of regaining a strong side position and drives the play away from the dangerous areas.
He can do this because he doesn’t lean toward being over aggressive and shooting his gaps and creating broken plays. Mast is very calm when in a tough one-on-one situation, he has a low panic threshold and is able to remain calm and not throw defensive fundamentals out the window when under duress.
He’s also very good at cleaning up around the slot areas and shows a great understanding in being able to locate pucks on the attackers stick and executing plays to take shots away and create turnovers.
Conclusion
Mast has a very translatable style. Whilst he may not have a high point ceiling; his ability to transition the puck effectively and the one-on-one defensive play should continue to elevate as he matures and sees greater competition. Mast is a great natural athlete and hockey player, but foremost he is an intellect; something that is VERY apparent on the ice. Mast is one of the most dependable and responsible defenders in this class, he’s often tasked with big responsibilities and shows that he’s capable of problem solving and out-thinking his peers.
He does have to gain more zip to his step, develop a bigger/better shot and add some more deceptiveness to his game on the puck for my liking. However, considering the rapid skill acsension witnessed in season 2019/20, I wouldn’t be shocked to see that Mast has alot more to offer in every department when he eventually gets to play. He’s just that kinda guy, no matter the challenge or setting; Mast is the cream that rises to the top.
Ryan Mast may not be in your top 100, but he should be close. I project him as a bottom-pair defender who can move the puck proficiently out of his own end and can show competecy on both special teams units.
Copyright: All images/logos/resources property of their respective owners.