Mike Mascioli unleashes mayhem

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Mike Mascioli isn't liked by opposing teams in the OHL, and that's the way he likes it.

In his rookie season with the Kitchener Rangers, Mascioli is making a big name for himself, despite the fact he isn't considered big himself in hockey terms.

Thick and sturdy, Mascioli is five-foot-10 and 186-pounds. He uses his robust frame like a wrecking ball and he's a tough opponent across the league.

Playing against Mascioli is likened to being hit by a speeding pick up truck loaded with nails.

And he doesn't pick his spots, even though he's in his first season.

Recently, Mascioli and the Rangers made their one and only trip up to the Nickel City to take on the Sudbury Wolves. Mascioli, knowing a large concentration of family and friends were at the game, put on a grand spectacle of skill and strength.

He showed his skill by picking up an assist and constantly cycling the puck down low against the Wolves shift after shift.

He then showed his strength by taking on the Wolves resident enforcer Marco Maggio and tough-as-nails and blessed with a jaw-breaking punch defenceman Tyler Sheldrake. In both bouts, Mascioli went toe-to-toe with the bigger foes for more than a minute each time and earned two draws.

On a team chock-full of veterans and coached by one of the most respected men in OHL  hockey (Pete DeBoer), Mascioli must play his heart out every game or practice or else he could lose his job to another player or worse, be traded.

The Azilda native has been in 17 fights in his first 42 games, along with 17 points, a +13 rating and 117 penalty minutes. Mascioli has taken on every player looking to cause trouble with the Rangers, including six-foot-five, 230-pound Oshawa defenceman James DeLory, and has never been beaten.

One thing for sure, Mascioli knows how to start and end trouble. He makes no excuses for his ultra-competitive style of game.

"I play a physical game," the forward said. "I'm out there to do whatever I have to do to help the team win. My game is hard all the time. I never back down from anything or anyone. I start trouble by getting under the other team's skin. If anyone steps up, well, then I go for it."

When Mascioli hits the ice, the bodies of fallen foes are sure to follow.  Whatever is asked of him, he will do it all in the name of his team.

"Because we're a Memorial Cup host team with a lot of veterans, I have to do something that stands out every game whether it be a big hit, scoring a goal or getting into a fight," he said. "It can be difficult at times, but it's something I have to do."

The Rangers called Mascioli's name at the 2006 OHL Entry Draft in the second round, 38th overall.

"Mike's a great combination of skill and toughness," Kitchener head coach and GM Pete DeBoer said. "He can skate, make big plays, hit and fight. Pound-for-pound, he's as tough as anyone in this league. He's an energy guy for us. Mike gives us a lift when we need it."

The Rangers made numerous big trades this season, bolstering their chances for winning the Memorial Cup in their own rink. Every team Kitchener talked trade with wanted Mascioli.

"By keeping him, it shows how valuable he is to us now and in the future," DeBoer said. "He will be a front line player in this league."

Teammates love going into the heat of the battle with Mascioli because he backs his play up as well as his teammates.
"Mike's a great fit and he's doing everything we've asked from him and more like scoring, hitting and fighting,"
Rangers captain Matt Pepe said. "There's not much more we can ask from him. He's an overachiever and just keeps getting better. Mike has great strength...defencemen try to hit him but they can't knock him off the puck. He's one of the best I've ever seen for playing along the boards."

Mascioli struggled to stay with the Rangers as a 16-year-old, seeing action in just 14 games and scoring zero points.
Coming into this season, thanks to a stringent summer of training, Mascioli unleashed his fury at the Rangers camp and forced his way onto the third line for 2007-08.

"When I got my confidence up, I realized what I could do at this level," he said. "From there, I just kept working hard. Now, I'm just trying to figure out what my limit is...then I guess I'll keep going."

Although Mascioli has turned plenty of heads in the OHL with his gritty game, he has yet to gain the attention from most of the professional scouting world. Mascioli has basically been ignored by pro scouts, but there are a few who find him to be a true diamond in the rough. North American Central Scouting Chief Scout Mark Seidel has been keeping his eyes trained on Mascioli like a hawk tracks its prey this season. Seidel doesn't argue the fact Mascioli is bursting at the seams with talent and toughness and points to current Philadelphia forward and former OHL player Steve Downie as a prime example that guys who aren't six-foot-plus can make it in the pros.

"Mike patterns his game after Downie...he plays on an edge, but that's how he's so effective," Seidel said. "Size will be an issue for the NHL, but it didn't stop Downie from making it or other guys. Mike has a future in this game.

Whether it means in the NHL will be up to him and how hard he pushes himself. He's certainly an intriguing prospect...he can do it all and is also highly competitive."

Mascioli is keeping his NHL Draft status way below radar.

"It's in my mind a bit...I'm not letting it bother me, where and if I'm ranked...I'm here to play and work hard," he said.

Regardless of what happens as his hockey career unfolds in the future, Mascioli will get the chance to play for the Memorial Cup this season as Kitchener is the host.

"Playing for the Memorial Cup will definitely be exciting," he said.

As Kitchener bears down for the stretch run and the playoffs, Mascioli will be front and centre on the third line being a total shift disturber.

Mascioli will make sure opposing teams taste his nasty side game in and game out.

"He's a tough player...I'm glad he's on our team because I sure wouldn't want to play against him," Pepe said.

Watch for update stories regarding Mascioli as he and the Rangers gun for the Memorial Cup in future editions of Northern life as well as at northernlife.ca.