Mahura happy to be back with Pats

Defenceman had good stint with Ducks

It was just like old times for Josh Mahura.

After three weeks with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, the 19-year-old defenceman picked up exactly where he left off as a member of the Regina Pats, notching a goal and four assists in his first two games with the WHL club.

“It feels good to be back,” Mahura said after Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Red Deer Rebels. “I’m happy to get the season started here. I’m just trying to keep the same habits I had when I was playing up in Anaheim.”

By all reports, Mahura enjoyed a strong showing with the Ducks, who selected him in the third round of the 2016 NHL draft. After rookie camp, he was invited to their main camp and also dressed for two exhibition games.

“I thought it went well,” said Regina’s No. 1 defender.

“I kind of went in and just told myself, ‘I’m not going to worry about how long I stay.’ I was focused on what I was doing. But once you get told you’re coming back, you just get excited. You know what’s waiting for you when you come back here.”

Mahura is returning to a team that has a guaranteed berth in the 2018 Memorial Cup. He and fellow Ducks prospect Sam Steel are the centrepieces of a club that’s hoping to enter the tournament as WHL champions — not just as the host team.

“We have a big year ahead and we’re ready to get going,” added Mahura.

“We both got sent back at the same time. It’s obviously a little disappointing at first because you want to stay for as long as you can. But we knew we have an exciting year ahead and we have a job to get done.”