NEWSLETTER
When I looked down at the ice at the Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday afternoon as the Blackhawks’ prospects skated, it was once again impossible to miss the size Chicago has on the back end. Looking at the roster for this weekend’s Tom Kurver Prospect Showcase, the blue line is going to be imposing for the Hawks.
At the 2021 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected Nolan Allan in the first round (No. 32 overall) and noted his size (and defensive play) when they made the selection. Between 2019-21 the Blackhawks drafted a number of defensemen with some size, and we’re starting to see those players matriculate their way to the AHL and NHL.
Of the eight defensemen in town for the games, only Jakub Galvas (5-11, 161) is shorter than Allan, who is listed at 6-2 and 195 pounds. One of the defensemen who looks big is Ethan Del Mastro, who has had an exciting, eventful six months.
Del Mastro was the captain for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL last season, his second full season with the club (the 2020-21 season didn’t happen because of COVID). He led their defensemen with 48 points last year and was second on the team with 41 assists.
He’s able to shoot well and moves the puck with ease, but he can also be a banger; he likes to hit. And that’s what Chicago liked about him when they drafted him.
Del Mastro was a fourth-round pick (No. 105) in the 2021 NHL Draft, the last draft that was conducted while Stan Bowman was calling the shots in Chicago. He was Chicago’s fourth pick in that class, and the third defensemen; Chicago ultimately selected four forwards and four defensemen last year. And now four of those players – Allan, Colton Dach, Jalen Luypen and Del Mastro – have signed a pro contract with the NHL club.
Del Mastro signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on April 22, making him the sixth contract signed by general manager Kyle Davidson. Davidson is responsible for putting pen to paper with all four of the signed players from the 2021 class.
When he signed the deal, Davidson praised Del Mastro’s development over the course of the season since he was selected.
“Ethan has made tremendous strides in his game over the last few years,” Davidson said in the release when Del Mastro signed. “He has really opened our eyes as he showcased a poise with the puck and ability to make plays on the rush this season. Combining those traits with an already strong defensive mentality gives us hope that there is still plenty of room for progression and growth in his game.”
Signing his ELC was the beginning of a year that’s been far from what he might have expected.
After attending the Blackhawks’ development camp in July, he was invited to Hockey Canada’s camp before the rescheduled World Junior Championship. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the team – at least not initially.
However, when Deamon Hunt was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury, Del Mastro got the call. He was back in, and he was joining a loaded Canadian roster.
A loaded roster that won gold.
“Going to World Juniors was an unreal experience with that group of guys and obviously winning it was an awesome time,” Del Mastro said on Wednesday. “It was pretty crazy. There were a lot of young prospects and guys my age coming out of it. Working with those guys was special and you know they’re going to be good players.”
Getting your first contract signed and then winning gold at the World Juniors is one heck of a summer. And Del Mastro should be elated with the trajectory of his career. He’ll be the captain in Mississauga again this season and is looking to build on his success this year.
But working out in a camp like the Blackhawks have had – now twice this year – has been eye-opening for Del Mastro. He was a wrecking ball at the World Juniors. But, again, there’s a lot of size at the Blackhawks’ camp this week. And he’s one of a few who can play the body.
He’s noticed a trend in the Blackhawks’ front office looking to add that size on the back end – and he likes it.
“[The Blackhawks] are definitely going bigger with more size, but I like it,” he said with a smile after practice. “I think it prepares you more for the NHL play style against big guys who are able to play strong and hard and being in a camp where you’re going to be pressured with those bigger bodies it’s beneficial and prepares you even better.”
Watching him now in-person in July and on Wednesday and through the television broadcasts of the WJC, I’ve seen a young player that knows he has good size but who is also willing to accept whatever role the coaches put him in. He didn’t play big minutes every night for Canada, but when he got on the ice he made an impact.
It’s pretty clear after speaking with him why he’s wearing a “C” in Mississauga again this year and why Davidson and others in the Blackhawks organization are high on his potential. He echoed what Davidson said back in April when he signed with the club, but noted his experience working with the Blackhawks is giving him more opportunities to show what he can do.
“This is my third camp [overall with the Blackhawks] and this year with [development] camp and now this so I think they want me to come in with confidence and play my game,” he said. “They saw what I did in junior [with Mississauga] and I think they were pleased with the progress I was making and they want me to continue that and continue that upward track of development and come here with an open mindset and that’s what I intend to do
“I’m confident but there’s always room for improvement. I come in here with an open mindset ready to learn and that’s one of the biggest things. I want to play confident but not over confident where it becomes cocky – that’s where you draw the line.”
Confidence can be contagious, as can leadership. And what we’ve seen thus far from Del Mastro is a player who fits what the Blackhawks are trying to accomplish with their rebuild.
