Colorado native Cody Mastay came east three years to play AAA hockey in the Detroit area.

Prior to the 2020-21 season, Mastay signed with the USPHL’s Metro Jets and this season, served as the team’s captain, leading the team to its fifth national championship game in seven seasons.

For the 2022-23 season, the Westminster product will continue his journey east at NCAA Division III Arcadia University, playing for Knights coach Vincent Pietrangelo, himself a former Jets player during the 2009-10 season. He’ll also join former Jets defenseman Justin Song (2018-21) on the Arcadia roster.

Arcadia, located in Philadelphia, plays in the competitive UCHC (United Collegiate Hockey Conference).

“What appealed to me the most about Arcadia was their hockey program and their physical therapy program,” Mastay said. “It’s also very exciting to reunite with ‘Songer’ and play for a former Jet, Coach Pietrangelo. I’m really excited to make my commitment to Arcadia. I’ve always dreamed of having the opportunity to play at the NCAA level, and I hope to fit in smoothly as a freshman next year with my new team.

“I’m expecting a challenging academic route through college, as I am going down a pre-PT track at Arcadia. It will be an adjustment to get back into the swing of school for sure, but I have taken college classes through my junior career so I’m not too worried.”

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville and associate head coach Jamie Lovell knew when Mastay arrived in 2020 that he was a special player with a skill set tailor-made for junior hockey and college hockey.

“Cody is a consummate player and leader,” said Quenneville. “Even in his rookie year last season, it was evident he would find success here and beyond because of his character and work ethic. We can’t say enough about him and his role he played here with the Jets. It was an easy sell to colleges and a big a reason he had so many NCAA options. Arcadia was an easy decision for him because of the hockey program and academics. They will be getting a player that will do it all for them and add that winning pedigree in the locker room. Coach Vinny does a great job with his players and will love to work with Cody. We wish him the best of luck and will be watching his success at the NCAA level.”

“Cody is the epitome of what our program is all about,” added Lovell. “We look for good character people, and then develop them into better hockey players. From the first time Cody stepped on the ice with us two years ago, we knew he was a ‘hockey player’ and would be a leader both on and off the ice. He did not disappoint, and I know that he will have the same impact when he steps foot on the campus and ice for Arcadia.

“They are getting a player who can play in every situation and take every key faceoff, and I don’t doubt he can fit right in next season with that program.”

During the 2020-21 season, Mastay collected 14 goals and 38 points in 35 games during the regular season, adding three assists in four postseason games. This season, Mastay went for 16 goals and 49 points in 43 regular-season games with three goals and seven points in eight playoff games.

“Playing for Metro has meant so much to my development to be able to play college hockey,” said Mastay. “I have grown so much as a person and player at Metro. I can’t thank my coaches and teammates enough for pushing me every day. For good reason, the Jets are the best program in the country and why so many players get opportunities from here.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for making this all possible. I would also like to thank my parents (Bruce and Maggie) and family (including brother Devon, a defenseman for the Jets) for everything they have sacrificed for me to chase my dream of college hockey.”

In aging out of junior hockey, Mastay said his two years with the Jets will never be forgotten.

“The one thing I will remember the most about my seasons with the Jets is the brotherhood,” Mastay said. “I have made so many great memories and lifelong friends over the past two seasons. The saying really is true, ‘once a Jet, always a Jet.’”

During his youth hockey days in Colorado, Mastay played for the Boulder Bison, Hyland Hills Jaguars, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and Colorado Springs Tigers.

Photo/G-Force Photography

— Matt Mackinder

(April 7, 2022)