Ducks Training Camp Notebook: Mahura Readies For More Focused, Intense Camp Days

Sep 29, 2021

By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com

Don’t call these the dog days of Training Camp.

After a series of cuts yesterday, the Anaheim Ducks started the process of thinning their roster and homing in on the players who might wear their sweater this year. The number, modest in size, represented another benchmark, one which raises the intensity and focus.

“I think that, especially when I was younger, I was a part of that pretty early,” defenseman Josh Mahura said. “You're just fortunate to be here and want to prove yourself and make sure you're going. I definitely do think it ramps up, especially as camp continues to go on and the roster gets shorter and you start seeing a team shaping out. For a lot of guys too, it's getting closer to the beginning of the season and we want to hit the ground running.”

Mahura’s prior experience helped the defenseman settle into the daily rigors of camp. The 2016 third-round pick comes off a successful 2020-21 season with the San Diego Gulls, where he finished with 6-14=20 points in 28 games. He ranked tied for fifth among American Hockey League defensemen in scoring and tied for fourth in goals, helping the Gulls finish with a league-leading 153 goals scored during the regular season.

The performance – coupled with four points in 13 games for the Ducks – earned Mahura a two-year contract extension with Anaheim on August 9.

“I feel like I had a strong year there,” the St. Albert, Alberta native said. “We obviously had a strong team last year with a lot of guys that could put the puck in the net, so it was a lot easier for me to just give them the puck and let them do their thing.

“I think the biggest thing, something I focused on the most, is worrying about my own end first and then letting the offense take over. Once I started taking that to heart, everything kind of took over a little bit more, and good things started happening for me on the ice. I'm going to continue with that mindset and just let me play my game.”

Mahura found himself in all situations last season, frequently used by former head coach Kevin Dineen on special teams while taking plenty of shifts at even strength. The increased responsibilities put him in a position to contribute.

“Dino put a lot of confidence in me to just let me be able to play my game,” he explained. “I felt I got comfortable throughout the whole year, and I think for me, it might have been one of the most important things, having a little bit of the freedom to do that. I felt like I had a good year, but obviously it's a new season and I want to prove myself again.”

The confidence carried over into his offseason training, where Mahura put more of a focus on strength training while recovering from the nagging injuries of a long season.

“I think for me, knowing how I need to play in this league is something that's important, and just being able to make sure by body was right was the most important thing,” he said. “Throughout the season, you get little injuries here and there. It was nice to get fully healthy over the summer and come into camp feeling ready to go.”

He’s slated to skate in his first preseason game tonight, his first action against a different team since May. 

“It's definitely a big change once you face a different team,” he said. “It's always a little cautious playing against your own guys for the week, but now that exhibition is here, it's super exciting to get in and really get back in the groove of that. Just really excited to get going tonight.”

While he understands the familiar feelings of camp – the ebb and flow and how things ramp up – Mahura is also adjusting to a new system. Anaheim made changes within its assistant coaching ranks this summer, mirroring similar changes with the Gulls, which forces each player to adjust and learn under a new voice.

“Each coach has a new way of coaching and different philosophies, so it's always nice to learn their stuff,” Mahura said. “They're all so knowledgeable; it's tough to not ask questions. They're all pretty welcoming in that sense as well. Just continuing to try and pick their brains and learn as much as I can.”

Anaheim will take on the Arizona Coyotes at 7 p.m. PT tonight at Honda Center. While there is no television or stream, fans can listen to the radio call on AM 1110 KRDC.