Mateychuk Stays True to Himself, Shines in Professional Debut
Photo Credit : Cleveland Monsters
On Thursday night, defender Denton Mateychuk made his professional debut playing for the Cleveland Monsters in a 3-2 win over the reigning Calder Cup Champions the Hershey Bears. Mateychuk joined the Monsters after the Moose Jaw Warriors fell to the Saginaw Spirit, 7-1, in the semifinals of the OHL’s Memorial Cup on May 31.
It was a bit of a whirlwind before he arrived in Cleveland on June 3. “It was a tough loss in the Memorial Cup and then I headed back to Moose Jaw. For two days, we had a little celebration, a little parade there,” said Mateychuk. “Then hopped on a flight here to Cleveland. I think I got in on Monday.” A few days later, he was told entering Cleveland’s lineup was a high possibility. “After yesterday’s (Wednesday) practice. They said, do what you need to do to be ready for tomorrow night’s game,” explained Matechyuk.
After losing three games in a row, Head Coach Trent Vogelhuber said the decision to put Mateychuk in the lineup for an elimination game was an easy one. “We knew what kind of player he is and the accolades he has,” said Vogelhuber. “Especially the situation we were in, it was kind of a no-brainer.”
Mateychuk slid easily into the second pairing alongside Marcus Bjork and shined on the first power play unit with Josh Dunne, David Jiricek, Brendan Gaunce, and Trey Fix-Wolansky. Also, his strong shot from below the blue line seemed to lift the energy on the ice and give the Monsters a little pep in their step. Almost immediately, it looked like there was a lot of chemistry between Mateychuk and his teammates. “After the first period, you kind of get the feel for the systems and things like that,” said Mateychuk on team chemistry. “I’ve played with most of these guys in camp and stuff. I know them a bit from there.”
One of Mateychuk’s more impressive qualities on Thursday night was the way he was able to match Hershey’s physicality in the neutral zone. There was no fear in Mateychuk as he leaned into hits and pushed the Bears off the puck. Typically younger players struggle with the intensity in the AHL. However, Mateychuk came into Thursday night’s game prepared for whatever Hershey threw at him, literally and figuratively. “You’re playing against men out there, not 21 and under like in Juniors,” said Mateychuk. “You just have that in the back of your mind and you have to play hard. You can’t take shifts off and make a soft play because they are going to capitalize on that.”
Moving forward, the message from Columbus Blue Jackets and Monsters’ management regarding Mateychuk’s role on the team is to be himself. “They pretty much said, be yourself, play your game. You don’t have to make that special play just because you’re up here,” said Mateychuk. “Just be you and do things that you do well and go out there and show them.” It appears he is doing that and enjoying the ride of a lifetime playing in front of passionate fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“It’s nuts out there. It’s great. I love it when the crowd is behind you like that. They’re a passionate city and excited to get to be a part of it.”
