Like father, like uncle, like son
By Trevor Robb
EDMONTON — For Toronto Bulldogs forward, Mason Primeau, hockey has always been a way of life.
A son to former NHLer Wayne Primeau, and a nephew to fellow NHLer Keith Primeau, Mason has some big shoes to fill. But given his size and stature at the novice level, it looks like Mason will have no problems filling those shoes.
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- Toronto Bulldogs forward Mason Primeau, #18, skates the puck up the ice. The Bulldogs scored four unanswered goals en route to a 4-1 victory over Team Brick Alberta at Day Two of the 2011 Brick Invitational Super Novice Tournament at West Edmonton Mall on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photograph by Trevor Robb
“He’s a big kid, when he gets going he’s got some good speed and he’s got pretty good hands for a big kid,” said Wayne. “He’s a very motivated kid, you don’t have to push him, and that’s pretty much what their whole team is about.”
While Mason is admittedly shy and nervous when discussing his game to reporters, his attitude is far from timid on the ice. Mason stands taller than anyone else on his Bulldogs team, which something both his father – standing 6 ft 4 in- and his uncle – 6 ft 5 in- were both known for during their playing days in the NHL.
At home in Toronto, Wayne is a coach on Mason’s winter team, the Toronto Red Wings. Being a coach and a father at the same time can be difficult but Wayne seems to have found a balance that works well for the two.
“I’m honest with him, if he has a good game, I’m going to tell him he has a good game, and if he doesn’t, I’m going to tell him that too,” said Wayne. “I try to help him to understand the game better and know what it takes to do the right thing, whether it’s getting the puck deep, shooting at certain times or passing at certain times, whatever it may be.”
The next step
When asked if the NHL is the ultimate goal for Mason, he nervously responded, “yea..yea..yes.” The next step in Mason’s learning curve on the ice will be learning how to dish and take hits. In minor hockey, hitting isn’t implemented until pee wee, which will be the next step for Mason when he graduates from novice.
Due to the amount of concussions in the NHL and the subsequent implementation of rule 48 – illegal checks to the head – USA Hockey has recently bumped the age at which players are introduced to hitting, from pee wee, age 11, to bantam, age 13.
Mason’s uncle and Wayne’s brother, Keith, was forced to retire from the NHL after a string of concussions caused him to hang up the skates. Right now, Wayne and Mason aren’t discussing the hitting side of hockey but Wayne knows the day will come when Mason needs to learn the fundamentals of being safe while on the ice.
“Obviously for me it’s a big thing because my brother had to retire due to concussions,” said Wayne. “If I can help out in any way and get players and kids nowadays understanding that it’s important to respect your opponents, than I will try to do that.”
Bulldogs defeat Brick Alberta
The Toronto Bulldogs remain undefeated at the Brick Invitational Novice Hockey Tournament as the Bulldogs defeated the host Team Brick Alberta 4-1 at West Edmonton Mall on Tuesday afternoon.
The Bulldogs set the tone early as forward Christopher Goodwin opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the game. With just over a minute left in the first period, Mason Primeau netted his second goal of the tournament to make it a 2-0 game.
The Bulldogs never looked back. A pair of Bulldogs defenceman scored on the powerplay as Anthony Aguanno got the games third goal in the second period and Matthew Hill made it a 4-0 game in the third.
Team Brick Alberta forward Peyton Krebs broke Bulldogs’ goaltender Lucas Lormimer’s shutout late in the third.
The Bulldogs (3-0) will face-off against the Saskatchewan Junior Pats (1-1) on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. while Team Brick Alberta (1-1) will play the Montreal Ice Storm (1-1) at 7:10 p.m.