When wars break out in the OHL, which they often do,
Azilda's Mike Mascioli is the kind of young man teams want on
their side.
The Kitchener Rangers agreed and hoisted the feisty player
38th overall in the 2006 OHL draft recently.
Tough, both mentally and physically, Mascioli will go
through walls for his team in order to help them win.
If challenged, something he absolutely relishes, Mascioli
doesn't back down. In fact, it gets him into the game even
more.
Because of his drive, strength, skill and skating ability,
Mascioli is an awesome package designed to do damage in
multiple ways.
"Mike is a guy who brings a lot to the table," said Rangers head coach and GM Peter DeBoer.
"He can beat teams with toughness or with skill. We see him
as a player who changes the outcome of a game with a goal, hit
or a fight. Those guys are hard to find."
Mascioli was taken aback a bit on draft day when Kitchener
grabbed him quickly in the second round. He was rated a
fourth-round selection.
"I was happy when Kitchener picked me because I went high and to a team I really like," said the Chelmsford High School student. "I was surprised. I have to live up to the expectations now. I don't want to disappoint anyone for taking me in the second round. Yes, there's pressure, but that's OK. I just have to work that much harder to stay above everyone else."
Mascioli brings his determination all the time, which makes him
a favourite amongst teammates and a hated enemy among foes.
"To another team, I am (hard) to play against," said the
five-foot-10, 190-pound winger. "I am a guy who other players
don't really like to play against. I bulldoze people over in
the corner to get the puck. I like to go 100 miles-per-hour
into the boards to put a guy through the glass. I also have no
problems backing my play up. I am where I am because of who I
am and it's not going to change."
Mascioli recently turned heads at the Rangers rookie camp,
cementing Kitchener's belief they have acquired a legitimate
prospect.
"We like his skating and aggressive play. We're expecting
him to make the jump to the OHL for the upcoming season," said
DeBoer. "He will have to put in a summer of good work and come
to training camp in the best condition of his life."
Mascioli just wants to earn his spot.
"I am hoping to play a regular shift," said the 16-year-old.
"Playing in the OHL is a great opportunity and is one step
closer to the NHL. I am ready for the OHL and I feel I can live
up to challenge of playing in the league."
Mascioli played AAA midget hockey this past season for Rayside-Balfour, recording 21 goals, 36 points and 13 penalty minutes in 34 games
