Garrett Metcalf called his 2015-16 season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) “average.”

It’s not what he wanted coming off being drafted last summer by the Anaheim Ducks.

Metcalf, a Salt Lake City native, began this season with the Madison Capitols, but was dealt to the Waterloo Black Hawks near the USHL trade deadline.

“I thought this season I learned a lot of useful information that I can take and apply into the future,” said Metcalf, a goaltender who played youth hockey for the Colorado Rampage. “But as far as stats and my play, I am not too happy with it. I don’t think I prepared last summer like I needed to, and it showed. It’s good to take a break at the beginning of summer, but you have to get back to work and work harder than you have before. It was not how I wanted to learn this lesson, but I’m glad I did now instead of in the future.”

In reflecting on last summer’s surprise in being taken by the Ducks in the sixth round (179th overall), Metcalf alluded to how almost a year later, the situation hasn’t sunk in yet.

“I am very grateful to be a part of the Anaheim Ducks organization, but with that being said, it doesn’t guarantee anything and I am not playing in their organization yet,” Metcalf said. “Still a lot of hard work ahead. And have to keep that in the back of my mind and focus on what I am doing and where I am playing now.”

Metcalf will soon start his NCAA Division I career at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East) and has a busy agenda scheduled.

“My goal this summer is to get into even better shape than I am now and try to build my strength,” said Metcalf. “I believe guys in college are a lot stronger and I don’t want to go in weak. I want to go in with a running start.”

— Matt Mackinder