Mascioli ready to take big step

BY SCOTT HADDOW

As summer wears down, Azilda's Mike Mascioli is wearing a path through the floors of his billet's house in Kitchener as he paces back and forth.

The fiery teenager is eager for the start of the 2007-08 OHL season.

He has trained hard in the off season, honing and toning his body as he has a lot to prove.

Mascioli was a second-round draft pick of the Kitchener Rangers in 2006, 38th overall. As with any high selections in the OHL, expectations are sky-high for them to perform and make an impact.

For Mascioli and the Rangers this holds true.

In his rookie season, Mascioli was shuttled back-and-forth between the Rangers and their farm team, the Kitchener Dutchmen of the Mid-Western Junior B League.

In the 14 games he played for the Rangers, which included one game at the Sudbury Arena, Mascioli tallied no goals, no points and 13 penalty minutes. With the Dutchmen, he tallied zero points in 12 games, and 58 penalty minutes.

Mascioli had his eyes opened wide during his rookie season at the junior hockey level, and now he knows what he has to do to firmly entrench himself as an OHL regular.

He's buckling up for a wild ride.

First, it's his pro draft year and secondly, his team is the host of the 2008 Memorial Cup.

For most players, it would be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind, but not Mascioli.

He's not taking anything for granted and is prepared to work his tail off to attract the attention of pro scouts.

The Rangers have a strong core of scorers, so Mascioli knows his due will come through his punishing, gritty style of play. He loves steamrolling foes into the boards and causing chaos.

He also knows making a bigger impact could possibly have a string attached to it. Other teams looking to trade veterans during the season will surely come knocking on the Rangers door for Mascioli's services. It happens every year to players like him.

If Mascioli makes a lot of noise, he will become a hot commodity for rebuilding teams.

Mascioli has accepted the fact and will not let it tear him apart mentally.

That said, Mascioli wants to be competing for Kitchener when the Memorial Cup comes to town and beyond.
"I want to be here all year," said the 17-year-old. "I want to be in Kitchener for my entire OHL career. It's just amazing here. If I had a choice to go to any team, it would be Kitchener...no doubt. I couldn't have better coaches and the whole environment is great."

Mascioli took the good with the bad during his first season in junior hockey.

"It was a lot harder than I thought it would be," said the right winger. "It was hard on the body...balancing school and hockey. There were long days and they took their toll. Being a 16-year-old, I was always trying my hardest to get into the line up and be at the top. It was a good experience and taught me a lot. I know what to expect now and I'm ready to take the next step."

The Rangers coaching staff have Mascioli penciled in as a major cog this season.

"He was a high pick so expectations for him are high," said assistant coach and GM Steve Spott. "Last year...he learned what it takes to be a player in this league, on and off the ice. The bar has been raised and he knows this and we want to see him take on a bigger role."

Mascioli will make every sacrifice to ensure a strong campaign.

"I have a much different mindset heading in this year," said the five-foot-10 forward. "I'm more confident and relaxed. I will contribute in any way I can...scoring, hitting, fighting, whatever."

The Rangers like the intriguing package of skills and toughness Mascioli brings to the club and want to see plenty of it.
"He needs to be an agitator," said Spott. "He has underrated skills...he's a strong skater and has a tremendous shot. He has a good head for the game and brings a lot of grit. He has a nice blend of talents to be an effective player...he has to put it all together. He needs to be a thorn in the side of players every game."

Mascioli is keeping the NHL Draft situation under his hat.

"I'm not worried about it," said the 190-pound winger. "You can get drafted anytime. Some of the best NHL players never got drafted. I'll work hard and see what happens."