Guzda keeps focus as NHL teams come calling

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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Brandt Clarke admits he didn't know much about Mack Guzda before the Barrie Colts acquired the 6-foot-5 goalie from the Owen Sound Attack in November. 

"I knew he was an overage goalie," Clarke, the Colts captain, said. "He's in the Western Conference and we don't see him too much. I knew he was pretty good ... but, wow, since he's got to Barrie, he's taken it to another level. He's getting a lot of praise right now and he deserves it."

Guzda and the Colts will host Shane Wright and the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on TSN.ca, the TSN App and TSN Direct. 

Guzda, 21, was named the Ontario Hockey League goalie of the month in January. He also received that honour in December. The Tennessee native is 16-6-2 with a .924 save percentage this season. He is 11-2-1 with a .931 save percentage since joining the Colts. 

"You just feel so comfortable, especially as a defenceman, knowing you have him back there," Clarke continued. "He always bails you out. He's a tremendous goalie and he's going to go on to do special things."

National Hockey League scouts certainly seem to agree. The undrafted Guzda is now being wooed by a handful of teams. He spoke to TSN about the "crazy" courtship and explained how he rebuilt his game during the pandemic pause. 

The following is an edited transcript of the conversation.  

TSN: Where have you improved the most this season? 

Guzda: "I had a long time there, with us missing a season, to take a look at my entire game. The work I did over that year has helped me build a good, consistent foundation and that's helped me out this year." 

TSN: What did you do?

Guzda: "I was back home in Nashville. I was pretty lucky as we didn't have