Ethan Del Mastro (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — B) Defense
OHL – Mississauga Steelheads NHL Prospects vs North Bay Battalion, April 2020: It’s hard to believe that Ethan isn’t eligible until next year’s NHL draft. He knows how to use his size and stick to take away time and space like he is a veteran. In today’s game I was very impressed with his confidence and composure with the puck. He never just wrapped the puck along the wall because he felt the panic of pressure. He was poised, playing with his head up and making crisp tape to tape passes out of the defensive end or through the neutral zone. Along the offensive blue line he looked incredibly comfortable. He showed poise walking the line to avoid oncoming pressure and his shots hit the net or he found tips. He played top 4 minutes and was effective in all situations. Game Grade: B
Mississauga Steelheads NHL Prospects vs Erie Otters, February 2020: Ethan played a simple direct game that certainly made him look much more like a mature veteran rather than an OHL rookie. His physicality and composure are going to translate into something special as he gains confidence and experience leaving little doubt that NHL scouts will be watching him closely in 2020-21. Game Grade: B-
OHL Gold Cup, May 2019: Del Mastro showed an ease and smoothness to his game. At times, he makes the game look easy supporting and moving pucks. He has the ability to take pucks off the side wall and walk the point quickly always making the low risk option. Del Mastro played important minutes in the final vs the top GTHL Red line and was effective at gapping up and shutting down a highly skilled offense. We liked his physical play, reach, and ability to overpower opposition forwards. OHL Team: Mississauga Steelheads – 1st Round, 12th Overall Grade: A-
OHL Draft Top 300 Ontario Final Rankings, March 2019: Ethan was ranked #13 in Neutral Zone’s final OHL Drat rankings with a 4.5 Star Amateur Rating.
OHL Draft Rankings (GTHL), December 2018: Ethan was ranked #7.
Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament, November 2018: Del Mastro can do it all from the back end. He showcased his next level acceleration from the back end multiple times throughout the game. He moves pucks effortlessly and chooses the right time to carry the puck. With his height and reach, Del Mastro provides and imposing figure on the Marlies back end, especially on entries into his zone. He has good mobility and vision and often makes the best and correct decision with the puck. Where he did struggle was executing the pass tape to tape at times.
Toronto Titans Minor Midget Tournament, September 2018: Ethan is a big bodied, active, 200 foot Dman. He shows different aspects of his game at different times. His smooth, long stride allows him to get up ice effectively to either lead or join the offensive attack. Plays with confidence and trusts his skill set, for example, not afraid to make a backhand sauce up the middle on the breakout. Defensively likes to play the body when he can, especially when a forward has their head down. His skating allows him to take away time and space very well in the DZ, helping his team quickly win back pucks. We liked Ethan’s play throughout the tournament but found he struggled in a loss to Pittsburgh in the Qtrs – had a habit of forcing the play vs letting the play develop ahead of him. We will keep an eye on this as the season progresses.
