Mason McTavish Bio
Mason Dale McTavish is a Swiss-born Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre and alternate captain for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected third overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut later that year and has since become one of the most prominent young centres in the league. McTavish has also represented Canada on the international stage, including at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 219 pounds, he plays a physical, two-way style that has drawn early comparisons to established NHL veterans.
Early Life and Background
Mason Dale McTavish was born on January 30, 2003, in Zürich, Switzerland, where his father, Dale McTavish, was playing professional hockey for SC Rapperswil-Jona. Mason first learned to skate and play the game in Zug before the family relocated to Canada when he was eight years old, following Dale’s retirement from professional play. The McTavish family settled in Carp, Ontario, a community just outside Ottawa, where Mason continued his development in organized minor hockey. He has one older brother, Darian, who also came up through the same hockey environment.
McTavish played minor ice hockey for the Pembroke Lumber Kings, where his father Dale served as both head coach and team owner. The family connection gave him an early understanding of the work ethic and preparation required to compete at high levels. Surrounded by hockey at home and on the ice, McTavish quickly established himself as one of the top young talents in the Ottawa Valley region and became a high-priority prospect for major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
McTavish’s path to the NHL began in earnest when he was selected fifth overall in the 2019 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes, the same junior team his father had once played for. During the 2019-20 OHL season, he finished second among all under-17 players in goals scored before the COVID-19 pandemic halted play. The following campaign, the 2020-21 OHL season, was suspended because of the pandemic, forcing McTavish to return to Switzerland.
Although he could not secure a work visa until turning 18, McTavish eventually joined the Swiss League’s EHC Olten on January 29, 2021. He played 13 games for Olten before returning home to represent Canada at the 2021 World U18 Championships, where he served as captain and recorded 11 points in seven games, leading Canada to the gold medal. The performance confirmed his status as a top prospect heading into the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Mason McTavish Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
McTavish’s first notable stretch of competitive hockey came with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL after being drafted fifth overall in 2019. In a shortened 2019-20 season, he showcased his scoring touch and hockey sense, finishing second among under-17 players in goals before play was stopped by the pandemic. His combination of size, skating, and playmaking made him a central figure in the Petes’ long-term plans.
After the OHL paused operations, McTavish spent time in Switzerland with EHC Olten in the Swiss League, gaining valuable professional experience against older competition. He then captained Canada to gold at the 2021 World U18 Championships, demonstrating leadership qualities beyond his years. The strong finish to his draft year positioned him as a consensus top-three selection.
NHL Breakthrough (2021-2022)
McTavish was selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on August 13, 2021. He was originally expected to watch the Ducks’ season opener against the Winnipeg Jets from the press box on October 13, but was added to the lineup hours before puck drop. In his NHL debut, he scored his first career goal and added an assist in a 4-1 win. At 18 years and 256 days old, he surpassed Oleg Tverdovsky as the youngest player to score a goal for the Ducks.
After three games, a lower-body injury forced him out of the lineup, and he was sent to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, on a conditioning loan on October 28. He posted two points in three AHL games before returning to the NHL and finishing his opening stint with two goals and one assist in nine contests. Because he did not exceed the nine-game threshold, the Ducks did not burn a full year off his entry-level contract, and he was reassigned to junior on November 20. With the Petes he recorded six goals and seven points in five games before being traded to the contending Hamilton Bulldogs on January 9, 2022, in exchange for two prospects and six draft selections.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2021-Present)
McTavish rejoined the Anaheim Ducks following his junior season and quickly became a fixture in the team’s top-six forward group. His blend of size, vision, and two-way responsibility earned him increased ice time and a role on both the power play and penalty kill. Over the next several seasons he continued to develop his offensive game, logging heavy minutes against opposing teams’ best players and contributing regularly on the scoresheet.
As a restricted free agent, McTavish signed a six-year contract with the Ducks on September 27, 2025, cementing his long-term status as a core piece of the franchise. The agreement reflected the organization’s belief in his continued growth and his standing as an alternate captain in the locker room. Entering the 2025-26 season, McTavish remains a central figure in Anaheim’s push back toward playoff contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best known as a hockey player rather than a driver, McTavish’s on-ice style mirrors the attributes of a strong motorsport craftsman: he is technically sound, patient with the puck, and thrives in high-pressure moments. He excels in faceoffs, plays a responsible defensive game, and has a powerful shot that makes him dangerous in the offensive zone. His willingness to drive to the net and win battles along the boards has helped him produce offence even when not paired with elite linemates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McTavish’s most memorable moments is his overtime defensive play at the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Championships, when he knocked a Finnish shot out of midair and onto the goal line to preserve a Canadian victory, an effort dubbed “the McTavish Miracle.” He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and one of Canada’s top three players. He also scored four goals in a single World Juniors game against Slovakia, tying a Canadian record for goals in one contest.
Mason McTavish Career Wins
McTavish’s trophy case already includes significant team and individual accomplishments, led by a gold medal with Canada at the 2021 World U18 Championships and another gold at the 2022 World Junior Championships, where he also earned MVP honours. While he has yet to capture an NHL-specific individual award, his consistent offensive contributions and growing leadership role with the Ducks position him as a candidate for future recognition.
International Highlights
McTavish’s international résumé is anchored by two gold medals in a single calendar year, an unusual feat for a teenager. At the 2021 U18 Worlds, he captained Canada to the title with 11 points in seven games. Less than a year later, he wore the “C” again at the 2022 World Juniors and delivered one of the tournament’s most iconic defensive plays en route to another gold medal and the MVP award.
Other Performances
Outside of his international success, McTavish gained valuable experience in the Swiss League with EHC Olten during the 2020-21 pandemic-disrupted season, playing 13 games as a 17-year-old professional. He also represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics, skating on the first line alongside Eric Staal and Josh Ho-Sang, although Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Mason McTavish Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the McTavish family. Mason’s father, Dale McTavish, is a former professional player who spent time with SC Rapperswil-Jona in Switzerland and later owned and coached the Pembroke Lumber Kings. Dale is currently a scout in the Ottawa Senators organization, keeping the family closely tied to the professional game. Mason’s older brother, Darian, also came up through the hockey system, providing Mason with a constant training partner during his development years.
Personal Life
McTavish resides in Carp, Ontario, the same community his family moved to after returning from Switzerland when he was a child. He is not publicly known to be married and does not have children. Off the ice, he has focused much of his attention on his growing role with the Ducks and on representing Canada in international competition.
2025 Season Performance
McTavish opened the 2025-26 season firmly entrenched as a top-six centre and alternate captain for the Anaheim Ducks, coming off his long-term contract signed on September 27, 2025. His early-season form reflected the organization’s confidence in him, as he continued to log heavy minutes in all situations and contribute on the scoresheet. The Ducks’ renewed push toward a playoff spot has been paced in part by McTavish’s two-way reliability and his ability to elevate linemates.
With the six-year deal in place, Anaheim’s front office has built its young core around McTavish and several other developing forwards, signalling a clear direction for the franchise. His partnership with the coaching staff and his role on special teams have remained stable entering the new campaign. The outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond points to McTavish continuing to grow into a leadership cornerstone for both the Ducks and Team Canada in upcoming international events.
