Sit Down with Schutz: Mason Gudridge
Mason Gudridge is from Greenwood Village, Colorado, and for the Gudridge family, hockey was a nightly routine. Mrs. Gudridge said that they played almost every night in the basement, with Mason as the goalie. Gudridge said, “I mean, I grew up playing hockey with my brother, and as an older brother does, he wants the younger brother to stay in the net, so I kind of got stuck in the net and loved it.”
Last season, Gudridge had the opportunity to come up and play 14 games for the Shamrocks after starting his season in AAA. This jump affected him as a player and as a person. Gudridge said, “It was a huge jump, and it was awesome. I’m really fortunate for the coaches to believe in me.” Gudridge added, “That jump kind of changed me as a person, and it showed me what community service and playing at this level really takes.”
This season in his games played, Gudridge is posting a 2.80 GAA and a .914 SV%. Gudridge, like any other player, is always trying to adapt. Gudridge said, “I think there’s a bit that’s been changed, like technically and mentally. So just only improving from there”. In terms of mentality pregame, that’s also changed for him. Gudridge said, “I try to keep it more mellow this year. I used to get really hyped up for the games, so I just keep it a little bit more mellow.”
Throughout the year, both Mason and his brother Jordan have been at the top of the team’s community service hours. When it comes to giving back and its importance, Gudridge said, “It means so much, these people are so great, and I think it’s just awesome that we can give back. That’s what we’re here for, just to give back.”
Following that question, Gudridge elaborated on what this community means to him. Gudridge said, “These people have been so great to us. It means to the world.”
Thank you, Mason, for sitting down with me!