Mason Marchment and Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour were teammates for two seasons with the Florida Panthers from 2020-22. Montour arrived in Seattle as a free agent last summer. Marchment was traded to Seattle this month because Dallas couldn’t fit him under their salary cap.
There had to be some changes (with the Stars) and it just so happened to be me. It sucks to leave a group like that after three good runs. I don’t take it as a knock at all. There’s teams out there that want you, so it’s a good thing. And it’s just part of the business.
I talked to Monty quite a bit here and there throughout the season. He’s filled me in on a lot of the guys. It seems like there’s a lot of good guys in that room. It’s nice to have a familiar face to come to the dressing room with. Our wives are really close, so that makes the transition pretty easy for us.
From the outside looking in right now, we have a lot of good pieces. I don’t think that we’re far off at all. It’s all about buying into the system and everyone being on the same page. Everyone doing their part, playing their role. Hopefully, I can come in and be a piece of that.
I know Vince Dunn a little bit, Jared McCann a little bit. I’ve skated with Shane Wright a little bit. I know (Josh) Mahura from the Florida days. He wasn’t there when I was there, but through some of the guys. I’ve known the ‘Big Rig’ (Jamie Oleksiak). We skate together in the summer. They have a great rink, and from what I’ve heard, a great staff and good people in the room. They get treated really well. That’s a huge part of it.So I’m definitely excited to get down there and meet everyone.
Self-Scouting Report
Marchment is a star pupil of skating coach Barb Underhill, herself a champion figure skater.
I honestly don’t think I would be here without her. I did one-on-one sessions with her; probably 50 to 60 of them for three years straight. A lot of time and a lot of effort from her to help me get here. I still skate with her every now and then in the summers.
I don’t know if you guys know, but I was a late bloomer and a long journey to get to the NHL. (You would know if you read our Marchment profile here.) I believe in myself. Just try to go in and be a good person and a good teammate and try to help win as much as I can. That’s all it really is.
I have a high compete level. I’m a really competitive person, like to win. I like to get on the forecheck and get inside, get pucks back, strip guys on the backcheck. Get to the netfront and get in the goalie’s eyes, that’s huge. Small things like that help win games and help you get to the playoffs. That’s stuff I take pride in and like to do well.
Memories of 2023 Kraken vs. Stars Playoff Series
The (Seattle) fan base sticks out instantly. It was rocking in there for three games and a hard building to play in, too. So it’s going to be fun to be on the other side of it. We (went) for a couple of walks downtown. Beautiful area, good restaurants. A beautiful golf course out there, too. That’s all exciting and appealing.
One Shot, One Goal, All Fun
Like many pro players, Marchment in the offseason will participate in men’s league games. One night, the team he was on was trailing by a goal in the final minute. Marchment obliged with a highlight-reel score, then apologized to the opposing defenseman.
The boys on my team were giving it to me. ‘We can’t lose this game if you’re out here, bud.’ I think that was my first shot all game. I don’t think I took any other shots.
It’s just the love of the game. I love to get out there and fool around. That’s where I don’t have to take it too serious. It’s not skill development or anything like that. I’m just going out to have fun with my friends.
If there’s one thing my dad (17-year NHL vet Bryan Marchment) taught me about hockey, and being around ‘the room’ and around the guys, it’s just to enjoy it, be a good person. Help out as much as you can and be positive.