‘Just took it to a different level’

Karsten Ross knew he had more to give.

The Oak Park Raiders winger had built up this season in his head last summer after experiencing a playoff run that was below his standard.

He was determined to do more, and the situation lined up perfectly for Ross to do so in his Grade 12 year.

“I think this year, I knew I was going to have a bigger role, and I wanted to try and fulfill that role to the best I could,” Ross said. “And I knew I was going to have a good shot at getting a good amount of points and being a big factor in helping our team win.”

That he did.

After two strong seasons in a secondary scoring role for the Raiders, the 17-year-old became a horse for his team in his senior season, smashing career bests en route to 40 goals and 62 points across 24 regular-season games in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League.

For that breakout, Ross was named the province’s top high school varsity boys’ hockey player in the Free Press’ coaches poll.

The six-foot, 160-pounder’s skill was evident before, but head coach Ian MacDonald said it shone in a way the Raiders hadn’t seen.

“He competes incredibly hard. You see the numbers in the past, they’re good. He’s always had incredibly high hockey IQ and vision, but his compete level this year, he just took it to a different level,” said MacDonald. “And when he’s competing, when he’s got his active stick and breaking up plays to turn into offence, he really just tilts the ice in our favour. And obviously, you saw 40 goals; he can finish better than anyone in the league.

“It seems the puck just follows him around, and he’s always creating for us.”

Ross drove the most prolific line in the province this season, which included fellow senior David Sudoski and Grade 10 forward Tyler Thouas. The trio finished one-two-three in scoring in the WHSHL, registering a combined 71 goals and 167 points.

“It seems the puck just follows him around, and he’s always creating for us.”

Ross and Sudoski have both been staples in the Raiders lineup since their Grade 10 season, but had never played on a line together. They connection paid the highest dividends in the city championship-deciding game, as Ross set up his longtime teammate for a pair of goals.

“Getting the chance to play with (Sudoski) was pretty awesome,” Ross said. “He really helped me throughout this year, and then Tyler coming in this year as a new guy, really just fit in well with me and David, and made it a lot easier to kind of take over games and have a significant impact.”

Ross’ season didn’t come without some adversity early on. After nearly an entire summer of anticipation, Ross was forced to miss the Raiders’ tryouts after suffering an ankle sprain that shelved him for a month.

The injury, MacDonald said, lit a fire under the young forward.

“When he came back, he was just determined to be the best player and to contribute and finish in a way that we hadn’t seen as much in the past,” MacDonald said.

Ross has played big minutes for the Raiders all year, being deployed on the penalty kill while quarterbacking the power play. He maintained his strong play into the playoffs, where he scored four times and led all players with 10 assists in eight contests.

“He’s definitely a guy where when we’re down or when it’s a tight game, guys start looking down the bench to him, and kind of has that expectation that he’s going to step up his game in big moments, which he has,” said MacDonald. “He delivered the entire playoff run for us, and we could consistently put him in every situation, and coaches and players just trusted him that he’d make the play, and he could get it done for us.”

Ross will be asked to produce in some more big moments in the AAAA provincial championships this weekend, the final tournament of his high school career. The Raiders are looking to win it for the second time in three seasons.

Ross will already look back on this season fondly, and even more so if he and the Raiders end it with a provincial title.

“It’s been kind of emotional a bit. It’s my last (year of my) minor hockey career, and a lot of the guys on the team this year I’ve played minor hockey with for a lot of years in my life. So getting to kind of come full circle with playing with all these guys has been pretty awesome,” he said.

“And having the successful year that I’ve had as well has been pretty cool to see.”

 

Free Press top 10 high school varsity boys’ hockey players

A list compiled with voting from a panel of coaches.

 

1. Karsten Ross, forward

Oak Park Raiders, Grade 12

Stats: 40 goals, 22 assists, 62 points

Profile: Finished the regular season with the most goals and points in Division 1 of the Winnipeg High School Hockey League. Prolific goal scorer who finds the back of the net in all situations, capable of creating chances out of nothing.

 

2. Jace Anderson, forward

Sturgeon Heights Huskies, Grade 12

Stats: 22 goals, 21 assists, 43 points

Profile: A dominant offensive threat as both a shooter and passer who led his team in points. A big, strong, complete player with a heavy, accurate shot who controls play and contributes at both ends of the ice.

 

3. David Sudoski, forward

Oak Park Raiders, Grade 12

Stats: 18 goals, 43 assists, 61 points

Profile: Impactful centreman with outstanding playmaking ability and strong offensive skill. A terrific penalty killer who is explosive, physical and a constant scoring threat with great top speed.

 

4. Trevor Johnstone, defenceman

Vincent Massey Trojans, Grade 12

Stats: 11 goals, 23 assists, 34 points

Profile: Solid two-way defenceman who logs heavy minutes and shuts down top opponents while contributing offensively. A workhorse and strong leader, he ranks first in points and second in assists among defencemen.

 

5. Aiden Dilay, forward

Vincent Massey Trojans, Grade 12

Stats: 19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points

Profile: Power forward who can make plays in all facets of the game and is difficult to contain in the offensive zone. A very speedy winger with elite hands, a dangerous shot, and strong passing and finishing ability, he excels on the rush and the power play.

 

6. Ethan Middleton, forward

Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens, Grade 11

Stats: 23 goals, 14 assists, 37 points

Profile: One of the league’s best shooters with a lethal one-timer, he drives the offence and dominates on the power play. A strong, fast power forward, he’s dangerous on the rush and can change games instantly with his scoring.

 

7. Jager Bueckert, forward

Steinbach Regional Sabres, Grade 12

Stats: 14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points

Profile: Emerged as a top talent with great speed, puck control and a deadly shot. A tough, high-skilled, two-way forward, he is smart, consistent and well-rounded on both ends of the ice.

 

8. Tyler Thouas, forward

Oak Park Raiders, Grade 11

Stats: 16 goals, 28 assists, 44 points

Profile: Solid, high-scoring forward who plays well with teammates and is always in the right spot. A constant threat offensively, he works hard to create chances and sets up teammates effectively.

 

9. Peyton Froese, defenceman

Steinbach Regional Sabres, Grade 12

Stats: 4 goals, 27 assists, 31 points

Profile: Strong, mobile defenceman with smooth skating who dominates both ends of the ice. A big-body shutdown player with unmatched speed, vision and elite playmaking ability, he also contributes heavily to the offence.

 

10. Marcus Betts, forward

Garden City Gophers, Grade 12

Stats: 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points

Profile: Unbelievable skater and crafty forward who creates scoring opportunities and handles the puck exceptionally well in tight spaces. Slippery and smart, he makes opposing defencemen look outmatched and has a sneaky, effective release that drives his team’s success.

 

Honourable mentions: Kash Amor (Steinbach Regional Sabres, Goaltender, Grade 12); Liam Druwe (Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens, Defenceman, Grade 12); Logan McPhail (Morden Thunder, Forward, Grade 12); Cole Fletcher (Swan Valley Tigers, Forward, Grade 12)

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