Entering the season, the Orlando Solar Bears knew they would have a tall task in net to replace Garret Sparks.
Sparks had dazzled as the Orlando Solar Bears’ goalie last year and firmly established himself highly within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He would spend his year playing with the Marlies with a few call ups to the NHL in the process. Orlando had a hole to fill.
The Solar Bears, unlike many teams in the ECHL, had to deal with call ups and time splitting. Rob Madore, something of a veteran with five ECHL seasons, was installed as the starter at the beginning of the year. He had the two-way contract with the Marlies.
Madore was fine all season. He 3.11 goals against average with a 13-17-7 record. He was fine and consistent throughout. It was a solid, but not spectacular performance. He won all four of his games played for the Marlies throughout the year.
The surprise though came from the player behind him. The rookie more known for taking a burrito off the chest than anything else. The one who did not have the two-way contract or much more than a tryout for the season with the Solar Bears.
Ryan Massa had to grow into the role and prove himself. By Nov. 26, he had a professional tryout contract and his first of two stints with the Toronto Marlies began.
At the end of the season, Massa had established himself as perhaps the best goalie on the roster. If not the best, then certainly one who should be splitting time with a veteran like Madore.
Massa posted a 2.91 goals against average, going 19-13-2 in 37 games. He had a 91.5 percent save percentage. He got stronger as the season went on and posted two shutouts. It was a strong rookie season.
“I’ve been real pleased. The first half of the year was certainly an adjustment getting used to the traffic and the skill. From Christmas point on, I have been very consistent. Feeling very good in the net. Feeling more routine with the more challenging saves, being able to make those.”
Massa did certainly get stronger as the season went on.
Before Christmas, Massa posted a 3.33 goals against average and 90.2 percent save percentage with a 5-7-1 record. It was a struggle for him. And with Madore playing for the Marlies from Dec. 5 until Dec. 20, the Solar Bears managed just three points in eight games. For Massa it was a lot of learning on the job.
Massa though found his rhythm in the last half of the season. After Christmas, his numbers got much better.
He posted a 2.42 goals against average and 92.7 save percentage with a 13-6-1 record. He won his first five games after Christmas.
It was clear there was a massive improvement from Massa as the season went on. Watching the games too, Massa really came into his own.
He learned how to be a professional thanks to the work he did with Madore and eventually established his place in this program.
“I would put him right there with any guy in our organization,” coach Anthony Noreen said. “I would credit a lot of that to Rob Madore for taking him under his wing, showing him how to be a good pro, what it takes to be successful every day not just on the ice but away from the rink. Ryan has grown tremendously.”
Where he grows from there is the next guess. It would seem pretty certain Massa will get a second year at the ECHL level and be given the space to grow as a goaltender. It is pretty uncertain what the plans are for Orlando’s goaltending duo. It is very possible one of Madore or Massa could make the move permanently up to the AHL — although the Marlies seem set with Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks in net as they prepare for the Playoffs right now.
The whole organizational flow chart will matter in the end in determining where Massa ends up. His future though is incredibly bright after his solid rookie season for the Solar Bears.
Still there is an emptiness. The Solar Bears fell short of their goal and Massa played a role in that. The team struggled for some time throughout the season. A product of its youth.
There is still something more to reach for as Massa moves to his first offseason.
“The bottom line is, I want to win every game that I’m in,” Massa said. “I’m not real pleased with the situation we’re in right now. If I have to take a positive away from it, it has been a very good first year in this profession.”
It was a good year for Massa, in the end. A year that should see him return to Orlando as a clear-cut starter.
