There is absolutely no doubt that hockey clearly tops the list of favourite sports for Ethan Caetano.
But given a second choice option in terms of pursuits, the 14 year-old 6'1" smooth-skating defenseman could easily be steered towards golf and all that getting outdoors on a gorgeous day to compete has to offer.
"I'm not bad," suggested Caetano. "Somedays, you're really good; somedays, you're really bad."
For as much as the well-spoken young man who will be taking his hockey skills south in the fall would like to limit even a singular "really bad" shift on the ice, learning to deal with the inevitable ups and downs has proven to be an area where Caetano has shown much growth in recent years.
"My mental side is a lot better - even from just three years ago until now," he said. "I find that I am not as hard on myself. I am still hard, but not like it was three years ago."
In complete fairness to the naturally athletic prospect, Caetano has been a standout in recent years on a Sudbury Wolves "AAA" team that has not enjoyed the same level of success as other age brackets within the local minor hockey landscape.
Learning to alter his game as he joins a Barrie Colts team that captured the All-Ontario title in the U13 "AAA" ranks two years ago in Sudbury will be critical to his continued development.
"I found that I could always skate through people and score, even from a young age," noted Caetano. "But now that everybody is better, I can only do that sometimes. I'm trying to make myself a better defender."
Where "AAA" Wolves teams leaned heavily upon the puck carrying skills of the anchor of their blueline brigade, Caetano should be able to assume a far more complementary role as he looks to ramp up his profile heading into the 2028 OHL Draft.
"I like defending and keeping the pucks out of the net - and I like to join in on the offensive side; so I can kind of do both. The score helps me decide. If it's a close game, maybe we're up by one, then don't go; protect everything."
"If we need a goal, then I can try and bring the puck up, into the offensive zone."
Identified quite early as a hockey talent to watch, Caetano noted that he has benefitted heavily from his participation both in school sports as well as those in his group of friends that help to keep him well grounded: Nicholas Folino, Lily Martel and the like.
"I have basically played in every single school sport there was from grade five until now," he said. "I liked playing other sports, just to be active and get out of school. In hockey, I am really focused all of the time but with school sports, it's a chance to hang out with my friends with laughs and jokes and that sort of thing."
It's not that he becomes completely non-competitive - that's not in his DNA. But it's a far more contextualized competitiveness, one which accounts for a far more wide spread range of sporting proficiency in the group.
Maintaining a degree of balance was central to the family decision to have Ethan join the Barrie squad and head coach Blair Sherrit, a gentleman who spent three years as a member of the Laurentian Voyageurs men's hockey team (1997 - 2000).
"Me and my parents felt it was the best fit for me, both as a hockey player but also with the non-hockey part."
"We wanted as close to what he has here down there," explained Eric Caetano, father, teacher and long-time hockey official.
Preparing for the inevitable transition from team superstar to one of the many talented players, Caetano has taken advantage of opportunities to suit up alongside many of the top-end GTHL hockey stars born in 2012 this spring and last.
"I play a little more of a step-back role, which is better if I make it to the next stage," said Ethan. "I know what it's like to be a sixth defenseman."