10-08-2019, 04:56 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-11-2019, 10:01 AM by Fordhammer.)
C: I’m reporter Chuck Johnson, live from the Coyotes training facility here in Kansas City. Next to me, I have one of the newest members of the team, Mason Blaylock. Mason, how is your first day in in Kansas City treating you?
M: It’s been a great first day. I was greeted by a few of the coaching staff right off the plane and they have been showing me around the facilities today. Everyone has been great to me so far and I can’t wait to spend some more time with my teammates and the coaching staff.
C: Lets talk about the draft; walk me through the process for you.
M: It was quite a blur for me. Just a few days ago, I was a DSFL prospect and learning what it takes to get into the league. Just a couple days later, I hear my name called at pick #9. It’s been a wild ride so far.
C: Were you surprised to hear your name called where you did?
M: I was a little surprised. I did have a good relationship with the Coyotes’ head scout, but you can’t always tell how those connections play out. Every team has a different approach to their draft and I’m just happy to be here.
C: Do you think you should have gone higher?
M: I have always been a guy who flies under the radar and I like it that way. I wasn’t highly recruited out of high school and I played college ball at a Division III school so not really surprised. Everyone loves to knock you when you aren’t a D1 athlete, until they see you succeed at every level. That’s exactly what I plan to do now. Keep proving the doubters wrong.
C: What are you most looking forward to?
M: Honestly, I can’t wait to learn the playbook. It’s not sexy, but it’s the most important for my growth early on. I can’t make plays on the field if I don’t know my assignment on every play. I don’t think people appreciate how much time goes into learning the X’s and O’s. The formations, the plays, the audibles, it’s all important.
C: Fair enough. Final question before we let you go. What are your aspirations?
M: I want to win championships, simple and straight forward. Stats and personal accolades are nice, but they don’t mean much to me at the end of the day without a ring on my finger.
C: Thank you for your time Mason, we can’t wait to see you on the field for your first game in a Coyotes jersey!
M: It’s been a great first day. I was greeted by a few of the coaching staff right off the plane and they have been showing me around the facilities today. Everyone has been great to me so far and I can’t wait to spend some more time with my teammates and the coaching staff.
C: Lets talk about the draft; walk me through the process for you.
M: It was quite a blur for me. Just a few days ago, I was a DSFL prospect and learning what it takes to get into the league. Just a couple days later, I hear my name called at pick #9. It’s been a wild ride so far.
C: Were you surprised to hear your name called where you did?
M: I was a little surprised. I did have a good relationship with the Coyotes’ head scout, but you can’t always tell how those connections play out. Every team has a different approach to their draft and I’m just happy to be here.
C: Do you think you should have gone higher?
M: I have always been a guy who flies under the radar and I like it that way. I wasn’t highly recruited out of high school and I played college ball at a Division III school so not really surprised. Everyone loves to knock you when you aren’t a D1 athlete, until they see you succeed at every level. That’s exactly what I plan to do now. Keep proving the doubters wrong.
C: What are you most looking forward to?
M: Honestly, I can’t wait to learn the playbook. It’s not sexy, but it’s the most important for my growth early on. I can’t make plays on the field if I don’t know my assignment on every play. I don’t think people appreciate how much time goes into learning the X’s and O’s. The formations, the plays, the audibles, it’s all important.
C: Fair enough. Final question before we let you go. What are your aspirations?
M: I want to win championships, simple and straight forward. Stats and personal accolades are nice, but they don’t mean much to me at the end of the day without a ring on my finger.
C: Thank you for your time Mason, we can’t wait to see you on the field for your first game in a Coyotes jersey!