Meadow Lake’s Roddy Ross started the 2018-19 season in the AJHL with the Camrose Kodiaks, but at the start of January, the 18-year-old goaltender signed with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds.
“At the start of the season, it wasn’t really a goal for me to go to the WHL,” said Ross.
Ross adds that he originally had his sights set on playing NCAA hockey.
“Roddy’s been very good this season in a very good AJHL,” said Seattle Thunderbirds FM Bil La Forge in a press release when Ross signed. “He is a big guy that gets in front of the puck and is playing the right way for a big goalie.”
“Roddy has a great pedigree. He led the Saskatchewan midget league last year in save percentage while playing for the Tisdale Trojans. We are excited to have him join the team.”
In four appearances with Seattle, Ross has posted a 3-0 record. Ross, a Canoe Lake First Nation product, has a 2.51 GAA and .913 save percentage with the Thunderbirds.
Ross and the Thunderbirds recently toured Saskatchewan on a road trip. It was very special for Ross, who had numerous supporters come out to see him.
“Saskatoon and Prince Albert were probably the biggest ones,” said Ross. “I had a lot of support from people coming from different reservations and a lot of people coming from up north – and it was really good.”
Seattle has a 15-21-4 record, which has them one point back of the Prince George Cougars for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.
(PHOTO: Roddy Ross. Photo courtesy of Seattle Thunderbirds.)