For Mason Carrels, what started as an unexpected message turned into four years of growth, perspective, and preparation for life beyond college hockey.

Full Interview

"I didn't really plan on playing hockey," Carrels said. "I was going to maybe play golf."

That changed when Dordt's coaching staff reached out during his senior year in Aberdeen, South Dakota. A visit to campus followed, and a commitment to attend after that.

"The guys were great," he said. "I knew the team was going to be a good time."

That sense of trust, especially in the coaching staff, ultimately shaped his decision.

"I think a lot of it was just coach's commitment to the team," Carrels said. "It's not really something I was expecting out of an ACHA program. I knew it was going to be a good decision based on his word and how much I could trust him from the get go."

Four years later, Carrels' perspective has shifted far beyond hockey, with growth that extends into his faith, academics, and daily life.

"I honestly just feel more responsible as a person," he said. "Especially in my faith, and then as a man as well. One of coach's big things is taking total responsibility for yourself. That's been huge."

That development in his faith has helped shape how he approaches challenges and opportunities, giving him a stronger sense of purpose both on and off the ice.

That mindset did not stay at the rink. It carried into the classroom and everyday life.

"In high school, it's easy to slack off in class," he said. "But taking that seriously now, and having that carry into your life after school, it's just been a huge perspective."

Carrels also leaves behind a career filled with meaningful moments on the ice, including competing for conference championships and making back-to-back appearances at the national tournament.

"It's a great feeling," he said of winning a conference title. "We've been going there four years now, and the first two years we got knocked out in the first round in some tough games. So to go back the last two years and win it in two tight games, it's unbelievable. It's hard to explain the feeling that you get when that buzzer rings."

That opportunity to compete at a high level, and to come out on top, is something he does not take for granted.

"Hockey's fast paced, and it's easy to stay locked in, especially in big games," he said. "You get to compete, hit some guys, score some goals. It's a good time."

Dordt returned to the national tournament again this season, and Carrels noticed a difference in how the team approached the stage.

"I think just the guys' attitude towards nationals this year, being able to go back with pretty much the same group of guys," he said. "Even the freshmen that came in this year handled it like men."

While the results did not fully match their expectations, the experience added another layer to his development as both a player and a person.

A business entrepreneurship major, Carrels has approached his future with intentionality. Rather than stepping directly into the family business, he chose a different route, one that emphasized growth through new experiences.

"He's big on gaining new experiences before you stick with a job for the next 40 years," Carrels said of his father. "That helps you grow more and brings a different perspective into how you work and how you handle others."

That philosophy is already taking shape.

Carrels is pursuing an international internship opportunity in the Netherlands with a plastics manufacturing company, Pentas. The experience would expose him to global business practices and operations.

"Hopefully go there and learn a little bit about manufacturing and just the way they do business in the Netherlands," he said.

It is a step that aligns directly with his long term goal of returning home to help grow the family's convenience store business with a broader, more informed perspective.

During Carrels' time at Dordt, the hockey program has taken significant strides, including back to back conference championships and national tournament appearances.

"From my freshman year to now, just seeing the depth that we have and the talent that keeps coming, it's great," he said. "It's definitely changed a lot."

That growth mirrors his own journey, from a player unsure about continuing hockey to a leader helping guide a program on the rise.

As he reflects on his experience, Carrels offers simple but meaningful advice to those preparing for the same transition he once faced.

"Just live in the moment," he said. "Don't spend time wondering if you made the wrong decision. Dive into it and you will figure out if it is right."

While graduation is near, Carrels has not completely closed the door on his playing career. A return for one more season remains a possibility as he weighs his next steps.

But whether he laces up the skates again or steps fully into the business world, one thing is clear. Dordt has prepared him for more than just the next game but also for what comes after graduation.