After developing as a strong player across various levels of hockey, Ellis Rickwood made it one step closer to realizing his dream of playing in the NHL by signing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
Rickwood, who was born and raised in Brantford, recalled his earliest days playing hockey.
“It started back at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre…playing house league there. I remember having to get up very early to go to those games. My parents used to film all those games…and we sometimes go back and watch them, and reminisce. And it was fun just to look back and share these memories with my family,” he said. “Then I got into minor hockey with the Brantford 99ers program. It was great to play here at home and also go on the road to some tournaments down in New York and Buffalo. They were a lot of fun.”
However, his family was approached by a junior team (GOJHL) that would provide Rickwood a chance to play and develop.
“Brian Rizzetto was the general manager of Hamilton Kilty B’s at the time he contacted my family. He presented a really good opportunity and made an offer we couldn’t reject, because he said I was going to be playing a lot, which I did. It was really fun. I was playing with a lot of my friends but also had a good developmental year…but, I found myself burning to round out my game a little more…and take the game a little bit more seriously. It was my first taste of junior hockey, and I realized I had to step up my game,” he noted.
The budding hockey star would move onto his next phase of his career, re-locating to the west coast, playing for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL.
“I had a good year, but I didn’t really draw that much attention when I was playing in Hamilton. I knew I wanted to go out to the BCHL, [because] I wanted to pursue the school route [and] I had two or three teams in that league interested in me being on their teams. I was [originally] drafted by Peterborough before my junior B year, and didn’t make the team. So, I remember talking with my agent, and we decided on Victoria as it was a great spot to head to both on and off the ice,” he reflected. “That ended up being a really good decision. It was still during the pandemic [so] we didn’t get to play many games the first year. But that helped me, because I practiced a lot and got to up to speed to play at that level. So, when we ended up playing around March, we had already practiced for six months and I was ready to compete.”
Despite the partial season, Rickwood meshed well with his teammates especially Matthew Wood, helping him reach some solid offensive totals, notching 104 points in 64 games.
“I was playing with 20-year-olds who had played in the league for three years prior, so they took me under their wing. After those six months…it was game time, [and] we were ready, and we were really good playing together, “he stated. “Matthew and I were roommates on the road and hung out a lot…and I tried to take him under my wing and teach him what I had learned. And he’s such a good hockey player [and] I think he was teaching me more than I taught him. We were really tight and that translated on the ice,” he said.
Nevertheless, he quickly matured in BCHL, building his experience and then made the choice to go to Clarkson University.
“That was a long process, because it was a big deal for me to visit schools. Since we were still going through all the Covid guidelines, I couldn’t visit during the season, because I would have to quarantine for 20 days. It wasn’t possible during the year, so I waited and narrowed it down to Minnesota State, Michigan State, and Clarkson. I chose Clarkson. The university is in a small town, and felt very homey, and my agent and I really trusted the coaches there. I was also promised the opportunity to become a top six forward. But I would find that my defensive game wasn’t ready for college hockey, so I got bumped down the lineup,” he recalled. “I didn’t even score a goal my first year. It was a tough season, especially after coming off a really productive year with Victoria. Despite this, it would give me the chance to build my defensive side of the game [and] I didn’t try to get too down on myself, because I knew I could play well. I just kept working at it and during my season year, I made a jump. I started to play well, and then ended up suffering a concussion…which took me two months to recover from. For my third year…I had the confidence, I had good line mates, [and] I had everything around me to succeed, which I was grateful for and did very well.”
He would also get a chance to develop with a few older players, as well as experience a few highlights.
“I learned a lot from Mathieu Gosselin who was right wing on the team. He helped me out with so many aspects in improving my game. Another person who helped me was Ayrton Martino who I ended up playing with a lot during that third year. It was great having these guys around me where I could pick their brains and learn from,” Rickwood said. “When it came to highlights it would have been all the friends I made during that time. Many of them would become friends for life. Another highlight was during my junior year, we made it all the way to the ECAC finals, but we just came short in winning it.”
However, he would go on to study supply chain management, but for the fourth year he made the decision to go play for the University of North Dakota men’s hockey program.
“I thought I had a good year, [yet] I really didn’t get any interest at all from NHL teams. And that was a real eye opener for me, because I thought I had probably one of the best years. Also, both of my linemates and our whole power play from the previous year were leaving, so I had to make a decision for my next step. And my agent and I came to a conclusion that it might be good to go to a better conference to test myself and improve on play. And we had interest from North Dakota, and was fortunate enough to play with such a great program and go on to have a strong year,” he said.
The University of North Dakota had a strong reputation, having a historical hockey program and one that Rickwood relished in becoming part of.
“Anytime you can have your name associated with a program, and with that reputation…it’s very special and something that I will be part of forever. I could just feel the history there and see your name up on these walls, next to T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise and other really good NHLers. And seeing my name there and with all the players before me who moved on to do some amazing things. It was a really special moment for me,” he reflected.
In his first and only year with North Dakota, Rickwood led the team in scoring as well as achieving some highlights like becoming an All-Star and helping the team advance to the conference final and the Frozen Four.
“We had so many good players, and there were a lot of them that could have led the team. I just had a couple extra good bounces come my way…so, at the end of the day, to lead the team, but it was that I was playing with unbelievable players. The coaches gave me so many opportunities. And just like I said, always playing with fantastic players, and it could have been about you guys to lead the team, but yeah, it’s cool to kind of have that title at the end of the year,” he said. “I don’t pride myself on the individual awards, but I appreciate when you recognize me because everyone puts in a lot of work. And of course, getting to the Frozen Four and playing in Las Vegas was a great achievement, yet our goal the whole year to win the national championship.”
However, throughout his career, Rickwood has had several mentors who have helped him develop into the player he is today.
“Both my head coaches at Clarkson and North Dakota. JF Houle was awesome to me. He came in my junior year, and I had that huge season [and] I owe a lot to him. It’s hard to trust people you don’t know when going through the portal. So, just after going into the portal and taking a risk, when Dane Jackson, the coach in North Dakota…he delivered on all his promises to me and helped me develop into a good player and person. I owe him a great deal as well. It means a lot when you’re going in the portal, and you know coaches a lot of times just tell you what you want to hear. But he delivered on everything. So that meant a lot. And of course, there’s my dad. He has been with him through this whole process…whether it’s just sticking out at Clarkson or the transferring process. He was always there…giving me guidance. And there’s my agent Bob Reynolds… because we’ve had to go through some hard decisions, and he’s been there the whole way with me…helping me out, while being honest with me even when it was a tough,” he said.
However, all the hard work paid off when Rickwood get signed with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
“My agent and I, were hoping for an NHL team would take a chance on me and sign me to a contract. But it didn’t happen…so, we saw there was a great opportunity in Texas for me as a right-handed center, and I have two buddies who used to play at Clarkson who are here too. And when I was signing here, my gut told me it was the right move. I knew people here, so it was a really easy decision to come down here,” Rickwood stated. “It’s exciting to see where I’ve gone…all the steps I’ve taken. It’s cool to finally be calling hockey a job [and] make money from something I have enjoyed doing my whole life. So, coming to the AHL is a big new step in the journey, and I feel I’m just getting started.”
With just a few games under his belt, Rickwood has already notched several points, recalling his first AHL goal.
“It was my second shift and both my linemates made some really good plays, and I kind of just had to tap it in, but it’s just getting that first goal early on that just meant a lot, especially after it took me a really long time to get things going at the college level. Also, I feel that my college experience especially at North Dakota, helped me prepare for this level of play…they teach you to be a pro. I was ready coming in with that many expectations. And it was nice to get a couple points early and just see that I can play at this level,” he noted.
Rickwood explained that his only goal is to make it to the National Hockey League one day.
“Since the start, it’s been my goal to play in the NHL, no matter how long it takes. I still need a good chunk of work to do…so, I know it’s not going to be something that happens tomorrow, that is always the end goal and making it there and staying there and playing there. It’s not just getting there…but, I want to be an NHL player and play for as long as I can when I get a chance,” he stated.
