A former Pembroke Lumber King is heading to the National Hockey League. 18-year-old Mason McTavish was selected third overall in the NHL entry draft by the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. By being chosen third overall, McTavish made Lumber Kings history by being the highest selection of any player to wear a Lumber Kings’ uniform.
In his rookie season with the Peterborough Petes, McTavish had 29 goals and 42 points in 57 games. The numbers weren’t surprising. From the time he was a youngster playing in Europe and Canada, McTavish has had impressive statistics. At only 15 years of age, McTavish was restricted to playing five games for the Pembroke Lumber Kings in the 2018-19 season, but in those games he had seven points while playing against much older players.
When the pandemic shut down the 2020-21 OHL season, McTavish signed with EHC Olten, a tier two team in the Swiss Hockey League. He picked up 11 points in 13 games and used that experience to prepare for the Under-18 World Hockey Championship in Texas where he helped lead Canada to a gold medal.