The Florida Everblades added defensemen Ryan Mast and Maleek McGowan after the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins assigned both players to Florida. The Penguins also recalled defenseman David Breazeale to the American Hockey League. The transactions affect three defensemen connected to the Everblades and Penguins.
Ryan Mast brings Rockford experience
Mast, 23, has not played a game for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native recorded 14 assists in 46 games with the Rockford IceHogs last year. He is a right-shot defenseman.
The Boston Bruins drafted Mast in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Mast was playing junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting at the time. The source does not provide a projected debut date for Mast with the Florida Everblades.
Maleek McGowan joins Florida
McGowan, 21, has played one game for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year. The rookie defenseman signed an American Hockey League deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after finishing his junior hockey career with the Kingston Frontenacs. He recorded 24 goals and 62 assists in 208 junior games.
McGowan now joins Mast among the defensemen assigned to the Florida Everblades. The source does not identify the date of McGowan’s Penguins appearance. It also does not provide a projected role or debut date for him in Florida.
David Breazeale recalled
Breazeale, 26, has played two games for the Florida Everblades this season. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins recalled him to the American Hockey League. Breazeale played nine games for the Penguins last year, recording one goal and three assists.
FSB Take
The Florida Everblades’ defensive group changes with Mast and McGowan arriving and Breazeale returning to the American Hockey League. Mast brings a documented 46-game season with the Rockford IceHogs, while McGowan arrives as a rookie defenseman with 86 points in 208 junior games. The available information does not establish when either newly assigned player will make an appearance for Florida.
Source: Original report