Mason Gudridge is spending his rookie season of junior hockey with the NAHL’s Watertown Shamrocks, a team located in South Dakota.

While that’s far from a traditional hockey market, the Greenwood Village is enjoying the season he also gets to spend with his older brother, Watertown’s captain Jordan Gudridge.

“The opportunity arose in Watertown due to the team’s need for a second goalie,” Gudridge said. “I was fortunate enough to be contacted by the coaching staff and promptly became a Shamrock. Watertown was very appealing. The location, fans, and brand-new rink made it an easy decision. Playing in the NAHL was a goal I set for myself after my 16U year, so I was pumped to hear about an opportunity to make it happen. The NAHL is a great league, and it continues to help me develop into the best version of myself. Billeting was definitely an adjustment, but I have had incredible billets in Watertown, which has made the transition much easier.

“From a team standpoint, we are in a playoff position, which is all you can ask for. I think we are playing good hockey, and if we keep our momentum, we can continue to grab points and set ourselves up for a postseason run. From a personal standpoint, I feel I have been playing good hockey as well. I have felt confident and dominant in the crease, and my game continues to improve each week.”

Gudridge added that being around his brother has made this season very special.

“It’s awesome playing with my brother,” said Gudridge. “Funny enough, we have never played on the same team before, which makes this experience that much more special. It’s really neat for our parents to watch us play, and they are thrilled to only have to watch one hockey game to see us both.”

Living in a non-traditional hockey city and state has been nothing short of amazing, according to Gudridge.

“It’s really cool living here,” Gudridge said. “With the Shamrocks, involvement in hockey has increased significantly. I think kids look up to us as role models and want to get into the game of hockey. It creates a great dynamic where we can be positive examples for the youth, and it’s rewarding to help grow the game.”

Back home, Gudridge played for the Arapahoe Warriors, Krivo School of Hockey Elite, and the Colorado Thunderbirds.

“I had many great coaches in Colorado,” said Gudridge. “As a goalie, I was fortunate to work with excellent goalie coaches, including Matt Zaba, who was my first-ever goalie coach and helped shape my game at a young age. Another influential coach was Dave Fromm. He taught me my competitive spirit and always believed in me as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

Moving forward, Gudridge has aspirations to keep developing and keep winning.

“Some short-term goals I have set for myself include completing over 50 hours of community service in Watertown, playing playoff hockey, and finishing as a top-10 statistical goalie in the league,” Gudridge said. “My long-term goals include playing NCAA Division I hockey, playing professional hockey, and winning a championship of some sort.”

Photo/pics.by.liv.26

— Matt Mackinder

(March 17, 2026)