Roddy Ross attends first NHL Development Camp in five years

“This time was a bit different because I’ve been at university for four years now and just ended my career with the Huskies, so it was a bit of a surprise to be invited back, but it was a good surprise. When you’re older, you get a little wiser when you’re playing net, but you don’t really approach the camps any differently. You’ve still got the same mentality of going in there and doing your best and hoping you can turn some heads,” he said.

“It was a little weird to be back, I guess, but it almost felt as though I belonged there, because I was comfortable there. I missed it in a way, so I’m just looking forward to try and be back with whatever team that could be. I just gotta have another good season here and hopefully get another chance.”

Following his time with the U of S, which wrapped up earlier this spring with a Canada West title and bronze medal at Nationals, Ross appeared in five games with the East Coast Hockey League’s (ECHL) Wichita Thunder.

In three regular-season contests in particular with Wichita, the six-foot-three, 183-pound, 2025 Canada West Goaltender of the Year excelled as a member of the Thunder, posting a 2 and 1 record, with a 1.65 goals-against-average and a .957 save-percentage.

“My plans are a bit up in the air right now. I just gotta continue to have a good summer here, and I could be in the ECHL again, so just work my way up and keep going from there. Somebody’s always watching, so you not only gotta do it for yourself but do it for who you’re playing for and just keep going because good things will come,” Ross added.

“Getting invited to camp this year just gives you another reason not to want to quit or give up, and it just shows that no matter what’s going on or where you’re playing, anything can happen. You just have to give it the best you can every day and night, just show up, don’t stop, and keep doing your thing and stick with it.”

Ross has plenty of hockey experience at every level, beginning at the U18 AAA level with the Tisdale Trojans in 2017-18. He later moved up to the Junior A level with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) Camrose Kodiaks the following season, before advancing even further to the Western Hockey League (WHL) ranks with the Seattle Thunderbirds (2018-2020) and the Regina Pats (2020/21).

With a toe in nearly every water of Canadian hockey, and now down in the States a bit as well, the expectations were quite high when he was at camp.

“You expect more, and you expect them to watch more. I think it’s like anything in life, you typically expect more from yourself and hold yourself to a higher standard, especially when you get older. Ultimately, though, it’s just about whenever you’re ready and they think you’re ready to take that next step. You just have to be ready for that chance,” Ross said.

“I think, too, I just felt really comfortable and as an older guy, you see these younger guys and know you’ve been in their position before as well. You want to make everyone comfortable and not be that person who isn’t talking to other people just because you’re older. I was in that position at that age, and I know what it feels like, so the experience helped a lot.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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by Ben Tompkins

Roddy Ross attends first NHL Development Camp in five years

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