Matthew Mayich fighting to extend 67’s career
One way or another, when the Ottawa 67’s season ends, defenceman Matthew Mayich knows that it will mark the last time he ever pulls a barber pole jersey over his shoulder pads.
The overager has plenty of hockey ahead of him, whether with the St. Louis Blues — the team who selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft — or somewhere else, Mayich figures to play hockey at a high level for a long time.
Still, a player’s time in the junior ranks is finite.
“You gotta enjoy every day,” Mayich said. “You can’t take it for granted because it goes by quickly. Every game is an opportunity, so I just want to do the best I can and control what I can control out there.”
The final 19 games of the regular season will decide whether Mayich’s junior career is extended or not. Currently hanging onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Stoney Creek native still has plenty to fight for.
“I mean, I hate to lose, it sucks,” Mayich said. “There’s no other way to put it. We want to make the playoffs. We’ll get some [injured] guys back, and then who knows what could happen, right? So there’s still a lot of motivation.”
Mayich’s goals extend beyond helping his team to the postseason, as well. Of course, that’s what’s at the front of his mind, but he’s working to turn the head of scouts, and earn a contract going into next season.
As much as those two things keep him coming to the rink ready to work, above all else, it’s a fiery passion for the game, as he chases his childhood dreams.
“It’s the game I love,” he said. “It’s not just showing up the facility because I have to, it’s because I love the game, and that’s why I play. I play with passion and heart regardless of what the score is.”
Throwback to Mayich’s rookie season back in 2021-22, the overagers he looked up to were Adam Varga and Alex Johnston.
“Probably the two nicest guys I think I’ve ever met,” Mayich said. “They never had a bad day. You don’t really get it when you’re 16 or 17, but every day they’re coming in with a smile.”
Four years later, Mayich says it’s hard to comprehend that he’s now that wily veteran and the kind of person the club’s youth looks up to.
“You don’t think about it,” he said. “It’s almost just like you’re a big brother to them. You just try to help them out as much as you can.”
Leadership has become a big part of Mayich’s expectation of himself, something that has become increasingly important over his career.
That kicked into overdrive early in the year, when he was paired with rookie Kohyn Eshkawkogan on the back end. The mutual feeling was excitement, as the two brought the best out of one another.
“In training camp, we were paired up and I knew right away,” Mayich said, complimenting the 67’s young star. “I went up to [Paul Stoykewych], and I told him that I wanted to play with Kohyn, he’s a really good player. You wouldn’t be able to tell that he’s 16 unless you look at him. On the ice, you wouldn’t know, he’s just a smart player, a really good skater, and definitely has a really great feature.”
In recent times, he’s been paired with Frankie Marrelli, a duo with roots back to previous seasons. For both, it has sparked some offence and comfort.
Whether his partner stays the same for the rest of the year, or he’s paired up with someone else, Mayich’s goal will be the same: extend the season.
“We just need to make playoffs,” Mayich said. “We’ll get some bodies back and see what happens, that’s what I would say.”
