"Mason has God given ability to focus and maintain consistency to enhance his skill base. This is not something an average athlete can do."
Coach Doug Smail NHL 12 year veteran player.
Coach Doug Smail NHL 12 year veteran player.
Coach Bret Williamson 720-203-5905 2015 Az Diamondbacks Fall Scout Team Head Coach. [email protected]
Coach Tom Fobes 303-775-0395, Head Baseball Coach Longmont HS, 20+ years as baseball coach, former D2 player at Metro State University, has coached over 50 players that have moved on to play at the college level
Mason was just voted as the conference player of the year as a junior. He is a high D2 prospect for sure, and he could well find himself playing at a small D1. He is very close to being there right now as a hitter, where his strong LH bat can be seen as a big advantage. Very solid hitting mechanics with bat speed, hand path and hand-eye coordination. Gap-gap hitter with some pop. Fairly aggressive hitter. Great bat control, doesn’t strike out, puts ball in play. In fact, Mason is so good at putting balls in play that this can also be one of his shortcomings – he will sometime get himself out. He’ll get even better with a little more patience, and understanding of which pitches to take sometimes (or even swing through). All fields hitter, pretty good on outer third, yet can still improve there. Good base runner with decent speed (~6.9) that makes good reads, and knows when and how to take the extra base. Defensively Mason is solid. Feet are good and glove is college average but getting better every day. Can work to improve range. Average arm for a 2B in college. Best position will likely be 2B or LF. However, could also have a path at C if he gets the reps and puts his mind to it. Mason was our starting C during his sophomore year and did a good job. Would want to keep working on pop time/arm strength and just get consistent work there. Mason has strong baseball IQ and a good feel for the game. Very dedicated, sticks around for extra work regularly, has good work ethic and is serious about putting his time in. Took on leadership role as junior and will definitely be one of our senior leaders. Leads by example, but speaks up when necessary. Handles adversity very well – e.g. last year as a sophomore he just had one of those springs where he didn’t catch any breaks. Everything he hit hard was at someone, and he didn’t get much to sneak through and find a hole. Yet he kept to it, plugging away, doing his job, not getting down. We never moved him because of his approach. Good teammate, outstanding kid, high character. A lot of college programs would be very happy with this one.
Doug Smail 720-235-9781 Roughriders U18 AAA Head Hockey Coach, private hockey instructor, 13 year NHL veteran
May 29th, 2015
Overall Athletic Ability:
Mason has what I consider, very good natural athletic skills and instincts. This generalization allows him to cross train and cross play when it comes to various sports. It also allows him to train acutely in ways many single sport athletes cannot. He not only trained hard, but adapted to very difficult skating transition, edge and on ice plyometric work. He was able to maintain this while also improving his natural hand skills with the puck. Mason has God given ability to focus and maintain consistency to enhancing is skill base. This is not something an average athlete can do.
I believe Mason still needs to improve his quick twitch muscle movement. But, this is a specific observation with regards to hockey and the needs pertaining to this sport.
Attitude:
As an overall attitude assessment….I have seen Mason display very positive and complimentary work ethic that was refreshing. He always had a smile on his face when being addressed and always wanted to be a “contributor”. He did not want to sit on the sidelines, but wanted to do whatever he could to take his place in every responsible area of our team. He was always willing to make changes and fit with whomever he played wilt….in other words he willingly adopted a change in playing style to fit with the compliment of players he was playing with…and did so without denying his own unique gifts, talents and base skills.
Responsibility Factor:
Mason has acted better than most NHL players I played with in accepting responsible for poor play or failing to play as I instructed him….he knuckled down, faced the way he played and owned his shortcomings with responsibility and saw fit to change them.
During our pre-season, he endured grueling workouts, 2 a day conditioning routines, and some very difficult core training led by ex-NHL and NFL training professionals. He simply put in the work. He has realized he needed this training and saw fit to always be committed to it. I have personally trained and skill developed Mason since he was 12 years old……he was “never” uninterested or unwilling to do the training and skill building few professionals are willing to do.
He has willingly taken steps to always stay on a path of responsible and life building behavior.
Leadership Ability:
Mason was a leader because of his committed and persistent play. Leadership comes in different forms, with Mason it comes by doing. He is and has never been an obnoxious or arrogant player, but has always come to the rink and put in his work. Mason is a social person and the friend who his team mates liked to be around. He was a quiet leader of the elite Midget team I coached and he typified leadership by using his actions first and then as a last resort would come a rare but strong verbal encouragement to work and commitment to his team mates. He led by example and only demanded of his team mates what he was first prepared to give.
Intangibles:
This is an area where I believe Mason is a definite Tier 1 athlete. He has the qualities that many professionals lack. In our games, he had suffered some difficult injuries and maintained his “will”…this was exemplary for young men his age. His will stayed in-tact! He was discouraged but even with the numerous back to back to back serious injuries, his will overcame the initial discouragement. I believe this to be a necessity in every high end athlete and Mason displays a strong will to bounce back, compete, get better and, most importantly to him, “contribute”, and not be a passenger.
Collegiate Potential:
As a former Division 1 athlete, I understand the needs at this level. I understand the responsibilities that come with the privilege. I have seen Mason respond with concern and an eye to his future regarding his social behavior. He has willingly placed himself under the authority of professionals in the education, sport and social areas while showing great respect. Mason has had an unwavering commitment to his family which transfers to our team. To all I have seen, he has great support for and from his parents and is the type of person referred to as irreplaceable. He has been responsible socially, academically, athletically and respectfully.
Respect Factor:
I have been very pleased to see this young man live his first impression, which is easy for him, because it is truly who he is. Mason is who I call the real deal, a young man of character who, when push comes to shove, will speak his mind but will do it with conviction, confidence and with respect for those he is addressing. It is easy to see his high level of decency is matched by his will and heart to do the right thing, something rare in this day and age. Mason has also been a very respectful and polite person when around friends and family, around the ice rinks I am familiar with or whenever I have observed him in public. He has displayed good self-control and sportsmanship when participating in an event. He has a very good reputation with these associations and within his peer group.
Please feel free to contact me for direct reference to and on behalf of Mason at 720-235-9781.
Doug Smail
Head Coach/Director of Development
RoughRider AAA Hockey
Darron Cox 720-255-6652 Founder Thunder Academy, former manager and coach Colorado Rockies organization, 14-year professional player, Big 8 PLayer of the Year, Freshman All American, University of Oklahoma All Century Team
Mike Newton 303-817-9514 Assistant Baseball Coach Niwot HS, private instructor, former D2 college baseball player
Coach Tom Fobes 303-775-0395, Head Baseball Coach Longmont HS, 20+ years as baseball coach, former D2 player at Metro State University, has coached over 50 players that have moved on to play at the college level
Mason was just voted as the conference player of the year as a junior. He is a high D2 prospect for sure, and he could well find himself playing at a small D1. He is very close to being there right now as a hitter, where his strong LH bat can be seen as a big advantage. Very solid hitting mechanics with bat speed, hand path and hand-eye coordination. Gap-gap hitter with some pop. Fairly aggressive hitter. Great bat control, doesn’t strike out, puts ball in play. In fact, Mason is so good at putting balls in play that this can also be one of his shortcomings – he will sometime get himself out. He’ll get even better with a little more patience, and understanding of which pitches to take sometimes (or even swing through). All fields hitter, pretty good on outer third, yet can still improve there. Good base runner with decent speed (~6.9) that makes good reads, and knows when and how to take the extra base. Defensively Mason is solid. Feet are good and glove is college average but getting better every day. Can work to improve range. Average arm for a 2B in college. Best position will likely be 2B or LF. However, could also have a path at C if he gets the reps and puts his mind to it. Mason was our starting C during his sophomore year and did a good job. Would want to keep working on pop time/arm strength and just get consistent work there. Mason has strong baseball IQ and a good feel for the game. Very dedicated, sticks around for extra work regularly, has good work ethic and is serious about putting his time in. Took on leadership role as junior and will definitely be one of our senior leaders. Leads by example, but speaks up when necessary. Handles adversity very well – e.g. last year as a sophomore he just had one of those springs where he didn’t catch any breaks. Everything he hit hard was at someone, and he didn’t get much to sneak through and find a hole. Yet he kept to it, plugging away, doing his job, not getting down. We never moved him because of his approach. Good teammate, outstanding kid, high character. A lot of college programs would be very happy with this one.
Doug Smail 720-235-9781 Roughriders U18 AAA Head Hockey Coach, private hockey instructor, 13 year NHL veteran
May 29th, 2015
Overall Athletic Ability:
Mason has what I consider, very good natural athletic skills and instincts. This generalization allows him to cross train and cross play when it comes to various sports. It also allows him to train acutely in ways many single sport athletes cannot. He not only trained hard, but adapted to very difficult skating transition, edge and on ice plyometric work. He was able to maintain this while also improving his natural hand skills with the puck. Mason has God given ability to focus and maintain consistency to enhancing is skill base. This is not something an average athlete can do.
I believe Mason still needs to improve his quick twitch muscle movement. But, this is a specific observation with regards to hockey and the needs pertaining to this sport.
Attitude:
As an overall attitude assessment….I have seen Mason display very positive and complimentary work ethic that was refreshing. He always had a smile on his face when being addressed and always wanted to be a “contributor”. He did not want to sit on the sidelines, but wanted to do whatever he could to take his place in every responsible area of our team. He was always willing to make changes and fit with whomever he played wilt….in other words he willingly adopted a change in playing style to fit with the compliment of players he was playing with…and did so without denying his own unique gifts, talents and base skills.
Responsibility Factor:
Mason has acted better than most NHL players I played with in accepting responsible for poor play or failing to play as I instructed him….he knuckled down, faced the way he played and owned his shortcomings with responsibility and saw fit to change them.
During our pre-season, he endured grueling workouts, 2 a day conditioning routines, and some very difficult core training led by ex-NHL and NFL training professionals. He simply put in the work. He has realized he needed this training and saw fit to always be committed to it. I have personally trained and skill developed Mason since he was 12 years old……he was “never” uninterested or unwilling to do the training and skill building few professionals are willing to do.
He has willingly taken steps to always stay on a path of responsible and life building behavior.
Leadership Ability:
Mason was a leader because of his committed and persistent play. Leadership comes in different forms, with Mason it comes by doing. He is and has never been an obnoxious or arrogant player, but has always come to the rink and put in his work. Mason is a social person and the friend who his team mates liked to be around. He was a quiet leader of the elite Midget team I coached and he typified leadership by using his actions first and then as a last resort would come a rare but strong verbal encouragement to work and commitment to his team mates. He led by example and only demanded of his team mates what he was first prepared to give.
Intangibles:
This is an area where I believe Mason is a definite Tier 1 athlete. He has the qualities that many professionals lack. In our games, he had suffered some difficult injuries and maintained his “will”…this was exemplary for young men his age. His will stayed in-tact! He was discouraged but even with the numerous back to back to back serious injuries, his will overcame the initial discouragement. I believe this to be a necessity in every high end athlete and Mason displays a strong will to bounce back, compete, get better and, most importantly to him, “contribute”, and not be a passenger.
Collegiate Potential:
As a former Division 1 athlete, I understand the needs at this level. I understand the responsibilities that come with the privilege. I have seen Mason respond with concern and an eye to his future regarding his social behavior. He has willingly placed himself under the authority of professionals in the education, sport and social areas while showing great respect. Mason has had an unwavering commitment to his family which transfers to our team. To all I have seen, he has great support for and from his parents and is the type of person referred to as irreplaceable. He has been responsible socially, academically, athletically and respectfully.
Respect Factor:
I have been very pleased to see this young man live his first impression, which is easy for him, because it is truly who he is. Mason is who I call the real deal, a young man of character who, when push comes to shove, will speak his mind but will do it with conviction, confidence and with respect for those he is addressing. It is easy to see his high level of decency is matched by his will and heart to do the right thing, something rare in this day and age. Mason has also been a very respectful and polite person when around friends and family, around the ice rinks I am familiar with or whenever I have observed him in public. He has displayed good self-control and sportsmanship when participating in an event. He has a very good reputation with these associations and within his peer group.
Please feel free to contact me for direct reference to and on behalf of Mason at 720-235-9781.
Doug Smail
Head Coach/Director of Development
RoughRider AAA Hockey
Darron Cox 720-255-6652 Founder Thunder Academy, former manager and coach Colorado Rockies organization, 14-year professional player, Big 8 PLayer of the Year, Freshman All American, University of Oklahoma All Century Team
Mike Newton 303-817-9514 Assistant Baseball Coach Niwot HS, private instructor, former D2 college baseball player