Brandon Masson was an 18-year-old junior hockey rookie last season, but the Oak Lake product’s playing style reminds his coach of players from the past.
“They don’t make players like him anymore ,” Flin Flon Bombers head coach Mike Reagan wrote in an email interview. “He’s got a little old-time hockey in him where he is willing to drop the mitts with anyone and would rather play in the trenches than a free-wheeling style of game.”
The son of Mike and Renee Masson was a valuable contributor for the Bombers during his fi rst season in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The defenseman won the team’s Nick Oklobdzia Rookie of the Year award. “Brandon has been a great addition,” Reagan wrote. “He competes real hard, brings a physical presence and is very good one-on-one.”
The 6-foot-1 , 190-pound blue liner had one goal and 14 points in 43 games. He continued to get better throughout the season. Masson accumulated six of his points in the last month of the regular season.
“Brandon is very committed to the game and getting better every day in practice,” his head coach wrote. As well as chipping in offensively, Masson was solid defensively and provided a physical presence when needed. He had 94 penalty minutes last season.
“He is a very honest player…you know what you’re getting from him every night,” Regan noted.
The Bombers were without Masson for part of their seven-game quarterfi nals playoff series. In the Flin Flon Reminder, Reagan was quoted as saying “Losing Masson in the series really hurt.” That’s high praise for a rookie defenseman.
Growing up in Oak Lake, Masson played a wide variety of sports. He represented the area in volleyball at the 2010 Power Smart Manitoba Games. However, hockey is certainly a passion. Masson split his midget AAA career between the Brandon Midget AAA Wheat Kings and Southwest Cougars. During his days with the Cougars, he saw time in eight games with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Virden Oil Capitals as an affi liated player.
In previous interviews, Masson praised his parents and past coaches for their help and support. He has noted in particular the help of such coaches as Dale Lewis, Ken Schneider, Chris Johnson, and Mike Robertson.
Masson started last season with the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. After fi ve games, Masson was swapped to the Bombers to complete a previously made trade. Even before Masson joined the team, Reagan was excited about adding him.
“What we liked is that he’s gritty and tough to play against, something that fi ts into the identity of the team,” Reagan said in a press release.
