(contributed by Jason Gilder for BCHL communications)
After playing in his 200th career BCHL game, Surrey Eagles defenceman Dom Masellis said this has been the best time of his life so far.
The veteran blueliner reached the milestone on Nov. 3 in a home matchup against the Chilliwack Chiefs. Even though the result did not go Surrey’s way (a 4-3 overtime win for the Chiefs), Masellis said the game was a memorable one.
“It was a special one for sure,” Masellis said. “Everyone was out there to watch me play in it and it was something special.”
The Burnaby, B.C. native is currently in his fifth and final season in the league and has been a journeyman during his BCHL tenure. Masellis began with the Eagles at age 16 during 2013-14 season, and also played for the Langley Rivermen, Penticton Vees, and Coquitlam Express before heading back to Surrey midway through last season.
Masellis was grateful to the Eagles organization as they brought his family to his 200th game, which made the outing even more special for the long-time defenceman. The 6-foot-3 blueliner said a big reason for him reaching game No. 200 is his family.
“Obviously it’s a big milestone for me, but my family as well,” Masellis said. “I owe all the credit to my parents and my younger sister for helping me get through it.”
Throughout his time in the BCHL, the 1997-born defenceman has built a strong rapport with all the coaches he played for and the teammates he skated with. The lifetime friendships he’s made over the last five years has made playing in the BCHL an experience he won’t forget.
“It’s been a fun ride and it’s been the best five years of my life so far and don’t regret it for a second,” Masellis said.
With the 2017-18 season being his last in the league, Masellis has made a lot of memories, but he said the thing he will miss most is the routine of coming to the rink every morning and seeing his teammates.
“It’s been nice to be able to go to the rink every morning, doing something that you love so much,” Masellis said. “Having all your friends there makes it so much easier.”
In terms of life after the BCHL, the future is still unclear but working or continuing his hockey career at the college are both options. However, the goal for the veteran blueliner has always been to play Div. I hockey in the NCAA, a desire he still holds.
“That’s been the goal since day one ever since I started playing in Surrey at 16,” Masellis said. “Right now I’m still looking towards getting a Div. I scholarship.”
Another thing he’s got on the go is this year’s Movember movement, an November campaign where men sport mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Masellis said he started participating last year with Salmon Arm Sliverbacks goaltender Bo Didur, a close friend of the Eagles defenceman, and Masellis hopes the initiative can make a positive impact on bringing awareness to the disease.
“We were kind of really into our mustaches even though no one really liked them,” Masellis said. “We really hope it makes a difference.”
Although reaching the 200-game milestone has been special for Masellis, the 222-pound blueliner is hopeful that he ends his BCHL career on a high note.
“I’m looking to keep things going for the rest of the season and finish off with a bang.”
