Mutryn Will Be Missed

Fans of the Moncton Wildcats were patiently awaiting the team’s main training camp roster to be published and no doubt fully expected to see Teddy Mutryn on that list and that wasn’t the case. 

With all the free agent player announcements, signings and trades during the offseason there was an assumption that Mutryn would be returning to play an even bigger role with the hockey club this season.

There were also some rumblings at the end of last season that his younger brother Casey would be joining the fold for this season, but like many hockey rumours and speculation that didn’t materialize. 

It’s hard to put into words Teddy Mutryn’s impact on the Wildcats a season ago. 

“Mr. Everything” 

“Mr. Consistent” 

“Mr. Two Way Center”

“Mr. Shutdown Center” 

Obviously, it wasn’t difficult to see what type of player and character person Teddy Mutryn was during his first and only foray in the QMJHL. 

There were so many unknowns a season ago with the Wildcats trying to make another unprecedented run at back to back championships. The  “MacDougall Effect” was in full effect last year with GM Taylor working his magic signing and building out a great roster while Head Coach Gardiner getting the best out of every player.  It’s incredibly difficult for young players to find their niche and play to their identity, Mutryn did that right a way. Mutryn was undoubtedly one of the best new additions to the group and arguably one of the best two way players in the entire circuit. Sure there may have been some players with better or flashier numbers, but there’s no question Mutryn was the most dependable and reliable player within the crop of newcomers a season ago. 

It’s extremely difficult to replace a player and leader like Teddy Mutryn. 

With the ever changing landscape of junior hockey, players have every right to choose what they believe the best path forward is for their development and right now making the jump to the NCAA is a viable option for many highly touted prospects and NHL drafted players. 

Mutryn’s decision to make the jump to the college ranks shouldn’t be held against him or harshly criticized. Mutryn gave everything he had to the Wildcats a season ago playing through several injuries and still contributing to the very end. The San Jose Sharks draft pick’s performance during the Cats playoff run was nothing short of heroic. Mutryn drove his line all season long and was “in the fight” to the bitter end, but that’s exactly who Teddy Mutryn is and that’s why he will be missed.