Mason McTavish and Craig MacTavish are two names that hockey fans might recognize. Mason is a young and talented center who plays for the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL, while Craig is a former player and coach who won four Stanley Cups in his career. But are they related? The answer is no, they are not.
Different Origins
Mason McTavish was born on January 30, 2003, in Zürich, Switzerland, where his father, Dale McTavish, played professional hockey. Dale is a Canadian who also played in the AHL and the ECHL before moving to Europe. Mason has dual citizenship and represents Canada in international tournaments. He was drafted third overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut in the same year. He scored his first goal and recorded an assist in his first game, becoming the youngest Duck to score a goal at 18 years and 256 days old.
Craig MacTavish was born on August 15, 1958, in London, Ontario, Canada. He played college hockey at the University of Massachusetts Lowell before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft. He spent several years splitting time between the Bruins and various AHL teams before joining the Edmonton Oilers in 1985. He won three Stanley Cups with the Oilers (1987, 1988, 1990) and one with the New York Rangers (1994). He was the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games. He retired as a player in 1997 and became a coach for the Rangers, Oilers, Lausanne HC (Switzerland), Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (Russia), and St. Louis Blues.
Different Styles
Mason McTavish is a skilled and powerful forward who can play both center and wing. He has a strong shot, good vision, and a high hockey IQ. He is also a hard-working and competitive player who can play in all situations. He is often compared to Ryan Getzlaf, another Ducks center who is known for his leadership and physicality. Mason has been praised for his maturity and professionalism on and off the ice.
Craig MacTavish was a defensive-minded center who excelled at faceoffs, penalty killing, and checking. He was also a smart and versatile player who could adapt to different roles and systems. He was a respected leader and teammate who played with passion and grit. He was also a clutch performer who scored some important goals in the playoffs, including the game-winner in Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final.
Different Paths
Mason McTavish has had a smooth and successful hockey career so far. He played minor hockey for the Pembroke Lumber Kings, where he was coached by his father. He was selected fifth overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2019 OHL Draft and had a solid rookie season with 42 points in 57 games. He also represented Canada at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge and won a gold medal at the World U-18 Championship, where he served as captain and scored 11 points in seven games. He made the jump to the NHL after impressing at the Ducks’ training camp and has shown great potential as a future star.
Craig MacTavish had a turbulent and challenging hockey career. He missed the entire 1984-85 season after being convicted of vehicular homicide for killing a young woman while driving under the influence of alcohol. He served a year in prison and expressed remorse for his actions. He was given a second chance by the Oilers, who signed him as a free agent. He became an integral part of their dynasty and redeemed himself with his performance and character. He later faced another tragedy when he lost his wife to cancer in 2003. He overcame adversity and continued his hockey career as a coach.
Conclusion
Mason McTavish and Craig MacTavish are not related by blood or marriage. They have different origins, styles, and paths in hockey. However, they do share some similarities, such as their last name, their position, their connection to Canada, and their love for the game. They are both accomplished hockey players who have made their mark on the sport.
