by Tim Morris
David Mabey stands out on the ice. And, it’s not because he’s 6-5, 195 pounds, although that may help.
Mabey, in his second season with the Ottawa Junior Senators, has blossomed into an imposing all-around defenseman, contributing to the defense with his physicality, and offense with his skating and slap shot.
“I take pride in being tough to play against, but I’m not only a physical player,” said Mabey. “I take pride in being a two-way player.”
Mabey naturally attracts attention because of his size and gets tested by opponents. While he enjoys playing a physical game, the opposition quickly learns that he also isn’t on the ice just to be physical. He can skate, is creative, and can put the puck in the back of the net. He also likes to point out that he makes good decisions with his puck carrying and passes.
This season, which was recently interrupted by the pandemic with a one-month shutdown, Mabey has provided more offensive with six goals and five assists for 11 points.
“My goal is to play my game and help the team in any way I can,” Mabey explained.
Killing penalties is another part of his job that he also takes pride in.
With Mabey’s all-around help, the Junior Senators were cruising. Before the shutdown, Ottawa sat atop the Yzerman Division with a gaudy 21-3-1-1 record. Their 44 points were seven points clear of the second-place Hawkesbury Hawks with two games in hand. In addition, Ottawa has outscored its opposition by an almost two-to-one margin, 121-63.
“We knew from last year that we had a great group of players,” said the 20-year-old Mabey. “I’m very confident in this group.”
Mabey pointed to two areas that have separated the Junior Senators from their division rivals.
One is depth. Ottawa’s lines go three and four deep.
“We’re deep at forward, defense and goalie,” Maybe pointed out.
Second, Mabey remarked, the Junior Senators are “a close-knit team.” Everyone puts team goals ahead of everything else.
Playing for the Junior Senators has been everything and more for Mabey, who liked the fact that he was joining an organization with a winning tradition and a solid reputation for developing players.
“Playing for the Junior Senators has been good,” said Mabey. “The coaching staff is great and the expectations are high.”
Besides fielding championship teams, the Junior Senators have helped their players get to the next level.
“The staff helps players individually develop their skills,” Mabey explained. “They’ve helped me with my shot from the point and my decision-making with the puck.”
A native of Guelph, Ontario, Mabey has played organized hockey since he was eight always, he said, playing defense. He also played lacrosse, baseball, and golf while growing up. Lacrosse, he noted, is the closest to ice hockey because of its physicality.
The Central Canada Hockey League is resuming the 2021-22 season on February 2nd and Mabey and his teammates are “all excited” to get going and chase another championship.
