University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hockey's Mastalerz Soaks Up Calder Cup Championship Experience
June 25, 2015 | Hockey
Q: You've had quite an eventful spring! First off, before we get into your time with the Calder Cup Champion Manchester Monarchs, what was it like being the winning goaltender in the longest game in Division I college hockey history? How did you, both mentally and physically, make it through 5OTs?
A: "The whole game was great, looking back at my UMass career this game is defiantly is the highlight. Preparing mentally and physically was not as difficult as it may seem for a 5OT game. I did my normal routine and it ended up paying off. Coming into the locker room after a long game like that with all of my teammates and team staff was a feeling I will never forget."
Q: A nasty injury that ended your UMass career two games later, how long did the recovery process take and what did rehab entail? When were you finally able to get back on the ice?
A: "It took me about six weeks to get healthy enough to be able to head over to Manchester to finish the season there. The rehab was long and very repetitive, but Jeff Smith and the rest of the UMass athletic training staff got me in back in action relatively quickly for the ankle injury I suffered. I was able to come back with no further setbacks and feel good to this day. So thank you to Jeff and the rest of his staff."
Q: When/how did the opportunity come about for you to sign an ATO with Manchester?
A: "I got a call for UMass Assistant Coach Joey Gaspirini asking if I would want to join up with Manchester for the rest of the year and playoffs. After about 10 seconds to actually realize he wasn't joking, I said 'yes' and a couple days later I joined the team up in Manchester at the beginning of the Calder Cup playoffs."
Q: What were some of your initial impressions of life as a pro?
A: "My first day consisted of getting my physical taken care of and then going on the ice with the team for practice. Being the third goalie at the time, I would stay out on the ice after practice with the other guys who did not dress for games or coming back from injuries, to get some extra work in. After practice, I worked out almost everyday in the weight room. My day from the rink would be done around 12 and it was time for the golf course or any other activities the guys may be up to. It was much different from college with no class and being on your own for almost every meal."
Q: How was it balancing wrapping up school with your obligations with the Monarchs? Word has it you were able to come back for graduation festivities at UMass and then joined the team in Wilkes-Barre?
A: "I was lucky with my class schedule to have no finals to complete at the end of my college career, so finishing school was not an issue for me. And yes, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the graduation on Friday. The Monarchs found out that my graduation was on that Friday the day before our first game of three in Wilkes-Barre, so they made sure that I was able to get back to campus to attend the celebration. They then flew me down to meet the team in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday moring. This nice gesture really shows what a first-class organization the L.A. Kings are as they went above and beyond to make sure my parents and everyone who supported throughout my college career were able to see me walk at graduation."
Q: What was it like joining a team so late in the year when most of the squad had been together since the start of the season? Did you know any of your Manchester teammates prior to joining the organization?
A: "I did not know anyone prior to joining the team, but from the second I walked into the rink to the end of our championship run, there was not one guy who was not open in accepting me to the team, and I am very thankful for that. It was a great group that had a special bond that I was lucky enough to be a part of."
Q: Despite the fact that you didn't see any game action, what was it like being a part of a championship run?
A: "The whole playoff run was awesome to be apart of. The team was so deep and skilled there was not a day that I thought we were going to lose a game. Due to a couple goalie injuries in the championship round, I was able to back up in four of the five games and it was a great experience. To be able to dress my first games in the Calder Cup Finals was an experience I will never forget."
Q: How do you think playing in Hockey East has prepared you for professional hockey?
A: "Hockey East prepared me so well for this, in the way that every night is going to be a tough, hard-fought competition. No matter who you are playing, you have to be ready to play every night, and that I carried over to the Monarchs as every practice and game was the same way. Coach Stothers was a great coach and guy, but if you messed up in practice you would expect to get a bit of a talking to, to say it the nice way. This approach made the guys compete everyday and it definitely translated to how we played in games."
Q: What's next for you moving forward? What are your goals for 2015-16?
A: "With the experience I had with the Monarchs, I am really hoping that I will be able to sign with them for the upcoming year. The whole L.A. Kings organization treated me great from Dean Lombardi, all the way down the line. I look forward to what the future holds for me and am excited for the next season, as my first experience was one that does not get much better."
