There’s “playing hockey” and there’s “living hockey,” and for U18 Advanced House League goaltender Paxton Ross, the work is the true reward. Ross, a dedicated player for both his high school team at Blakelock and the Oakville Rangers, is all about his ice time.
Playing hockey since the age of 8, Ross was initially hesitant to take on the goaltender position. However, after a killer performance against a top-tier team, he developed a passion for the role and found joy in the challenge. "Putting myself out there and making sure the team wins became my priority," Ross expressed.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Ross credits NHL icons like Carey Price and Martin Brodeur for sparking his interest in goaltending through their highlight tapes. However, he makes it clear that he plays his style rather than mimicking others.
“It’s definitely tough getting the basics down at first; tracking the puck, getting down into the butterfly, doing the pushes too, it was all pretty tough but I got a handle of it pretty quickly,” Ross said.
With the skills down, the competitive instinct became the next focus for Ross. As he grew up with the game, so did his hunger to win.
“Back then it was just all fun, but as I got older I started to want to play more, and having one bad game would just kill my mental for the entire week.”
His dedication and competitive drive have led him to chase the feeling of competition, which playing a year up and against former AAA players with his high school team has certainly helped fuel.
When asked about advice for aspiring goalies, Ross highlighted the importance of embracing the transition and being resilient. "You have to put your body on the line and let the puck hit you," he said.
Regarding the mental game, he suggests having the memory of a "Gold Fish."
The Oakville Rangers commend Paxton Ross for his dedication to the game and his valuable insights into the world of goaltending. His passion and commitment are an inspiration for teammates and aspiring goalies alike.