A Notable Absence

The Moncton Wildcats have experienced what life would be without Teddy Mutryn over the course of the last few games and it was pretty evident that life wouldn’t be ideal. The US born forward has arguably been one of the team’s most consistent performers since the drop of the puck this season.

So, what makes a player like Teddy Mutryn so valuable?

Well, you don’t have to watch too long to figure that out, but let’s just say this, Mutryn is like Velcro, he’s always on the puck and no matter what, he’s hard to take off the puck, a nasty hard-nosed player that’s always and I repeat always in the fight.

The Norwell, Mass. product isn’t flashy, he’s about as honest as the day is long when it comes to playing the game the right way. Mutryn is an incredibly gifted two-way forward that takes pride in the subtle nuances of the game and his position that many overlook. That’s why his absence has been so noticeable over this stretch for the Wildcats. The Moncton Wildcats aren’t the same without him in the lineup.

Obviously, those familiar with his style of play knew exactly what the Moncton Wildcats were going to get when they landed him, but he’s been nothing short of brilliant in his first foray in the QMJHL.

His 58 pts in 46 games has him locked in at 3^rd overall in team scoring and he’s also 3^rd in PIMs due in large part to the way he plays the game. Mutryn isn’t a dirty player, he’s a “throwback” player that plays the game the right way and doesn’t back down from anything or anyone. Wildcats bench boss Gardiner MacDougall has elected to play Mutryn through the middle for a plethora of great reasons, like puck distribution, speed, persistence, dogged determination, high skill and probably the most important of all for his smarts and hockey IQ. Nevertheless, I can definitely see the reliable, rugged and dependable forward slotting in on the wing at pro level for years to come. The San Jose Sharks definitely did their homework when they drafted Mutryn in the 3^rd round, 95^th overall in last years entry draft. With the Q playoffs fast approaching Mutryn will be no doubt called upon to log massive minutes through the middle as the Cats shutdown center while also providing secondary scoring prowess for a Wildcats team looking to go back to back.

Mutryn along with Utah Mammoth prospect Gabe Smith have been the collective straws that have stirred the drink for the Wildcats all season long especially early on when 4^th overall selection from last season’s NHL Draft Caleb Desnoyers was out of the lineup and gone at World Juniors. The Wildcats definitely boast the strongest most potent offensive corps within the entire Q circuit. Desnoyers has been fantastic since his return from World Juniors and will be a force to be reconned with down the stretch which could in fact be his last in the QMJHL given the recent trend with elite players making the jump to the NCAA. Overager and Wildcat stalwart Preston Lounsbury has recently slotted in as the team’s 4^th line center which speaks to the outrageous depth the team possesses. To think they can pencil Lounsbury in on their “energy line” and grind line is quite something. A forward group as deep as the Moncton Wildcats will be tough to beat come playoff time, but there’s no question Teddy Mutryn has been an offensive and defensive catalyst for the Wildcats this season.

Mutryn is out of the fight right now battling an injury, but there’s a sense that he will soon be returning to the line up to help the Wildcats try to regain 1^st overall in the league from a stacked Chicoutimi Sagueneens team.

From a notable absence to back in the fight, Teddy Mutryn’s value has been immeasurable for the Moncton Wildcats this season.