“Really good, really confident. I’m so happy to be here, it’s gonna be a good season.”
That is how Mason Dunsford is heading into this new season. Just joining the Seattle Thunderbirds a few weeks ago, the goaltender is excited to get rolling with his new team.
“I can’t wait for the season to get started. I wish it could start tomorrow I just can’t wait for the fans to be back and to get on the road again.”
For the Tri-City Americans fans
Before getting too far into his thoughts on joining Seattle, Dunsford had some things to say for Tri-City fans.
“I’m going to miss it there. I loved every minute I was there. I loved my billets, I loved the boys, I loved the management. I’m going to miss it so much.”
There are a few people he wishes he could bring with him from Tri-City, such as his billet family. He also named Marc Lajoie, Tyson Greenway, and Ian Ferguson as guys that he hung out with a lot, but that maybe it’s nice that he can’t take everybody with him.
“I could name the whole team but those guys love giving it to me and I’m gonna miss them a lot.”
Keep an eye on Dunsford and Greenway when the two face each other once again as the pair may exchange some fun jabs if they get the chance.
A quick stop in Portland
After a brief stop in Portland for camp, Dunsford has found his way to Seattle. However, during his short time, he learned some things that he brought back up the I-5.
“All the teams that I’ve been on, they’re all ran differently, and Portland was pretty professional. I could tell that they ran a tight ship over there, so I think I just learned how to show up every day and act like a pro. That’s a big thing they preached over there. Every day, I just treat it like it’s the most important day of my life. Making sure I’m ready to go on the ice. Making sure I’m taking care of myself off the ice. That I’m eating good at home and that I’m getting sleep. All that stuff.”
On to Seattle
Now, Dunsford is excited to get going with Seattle.
“They seem like a really tight team. I can tell already. I feel like I’ve been here way longer than I have. I saw a couple of guys quickly before they went off to NHL camps and they all welcomed me with open arms. Just the stories that I’ve heard from last year and the last couple years, it seems like they have a lot of fun here so I’m definitely looking forward to getting closer with the boys here.”
Thunderbirds fans, be prepared. The 6’1 netminder is coming into this season with some big expectations of himself and the team. Just what can you expect of the newest addition in net?
“Just a lot of battle. A lot of heart. I play with a chip on my shoulder so I think it’ll be a fun year.”
After one trade in the off-season and another just before the start of the WHL’s preseason, that chip on his shoulder is just going to add some fuel to the fire and help him show that he’s ready to backstop this team to some extra victories.
On the trade
Fans had only a day or two to notice Dunsford’s name missing from the Winterhawks roster before the trade was announced and they weren’t the only ones to be surprised that he was off to Seattle.
“Yeah, it was weird. I was obviously in Portland, and then I went home for one day. I was at home for a full day and then Thursday they called me and said I got traded. That I had to be in Everett at 2 o’clock the next day. I didn’t really have time to think about it. Then we had a three-in-three so it was crazy. Our first game was against Portland too, so I was seeing all the guys I just say two days before.”
Speaking of his preseason debut for the Thunderbirds, Dunsford had a laugh about his attire.
“I had my Tri-City pads on, my pants from Portland, and a T-Birds jersey. It definitely got some laughs around the rink. After the game, my buddy Marc Lajoie in Tri texted me the picture and he was like ‘what team do you play for?’ Yeah, it’s kinda funny. Wherever I can play hockey, honestly, I’ll go there.”
Mason Dunsford is set to make his debut as a Thunderbird 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/TVbJoa6zfT
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) September 11, 2021
If you saw the trade and thought he just went on the bus with the team to switch over to his new team, you were not alone.
“That’s what the guys on Seattle thought I did too. They were like ‘oh, did you just come on the bus’ and I had to tell them no, I was at home like six hours ago.”
Unfortunately, the BC native did not get the chance to reach out to any of his new teammates before arriving in Everett.
“I was going to text [Thomas] Milic because we played together a few years ago in bantam when I got the phone call that I got traded but I had to go home, repack my stuff, and head to the border the next morning. I didn’t even get the chance. I saw him at the rink and he was kind of shocked. He was like ‘yeah, I heard this morning that we traded for you.’ I was like yeah, here I am. The guys didn’t even hear abou the trade, I don’t think. Maybe some of them did. I was just in their dressing room when they came up, so it was funny.”
As far as his feelings on being with the Thunderbirds?
“It’ll be cool. All the change has definitely taken some getting used to, but it’s been good. You know, when I get back on the ice, it all feels the same. It feels familiar so that’s been the good part about it. I know when I go on the ice, it’s all the same and it’s all good.”
Seattle Kraken helping to grow the sport
“I couldn’t believe when I was in Tri-Cities last year, how much Kraken stuff I saw and the team hadn’t even played yet. It was cool to see.”
After a season without fans in the arenas, having the Seattle Kraken so near will certainly help to draw in fans who want to dive even deeper into the PNW hockey scene.
Elevating his game
One goal he has for joining Seattle for the season is that the level of his teammates will also help to elevate his own game. The hope is that he can help the team in any way he can while also improving on his own abilities.
“We have a lot of good players and it’s definitely going to be cool. We’re hoping to make a run, so I hope I can help the team as much as I can. Stop as many pucks as I can. The guys up front, I hope the best for them too. We should have a good team. I think a lot of guys are chasing big things this year, so it’ll be interesting to see how it all happens.”
Hot takes with Mason Dunsford
Speaking of chasing big things this year, I asked the netminder if he had any hot takes for anything in the world of hockey, at any level, Thunderbirds fans, be ready.
“I think all I can say is that we’re looking good over here. I don’t wanna sound too cocky but I think the Birds might go all the way this year.”
“I don’t know how you guys like that in Portland, but we’re gunning for you.”
