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Some are blessed with an abundance
of natural talent, while many others simply compensate through hard work
and dedication to their sport. Walden Red Devils Major Peewee forward
Ryan Duffy clearly falls into the latter category.
Originally introduced to
hockey in Timmins at the age of six or seven, Duffy recalls an initial
reluctance to embrace the sport, acknowledging the frustration that
often comes at the outset from simply not being that good at skating and
the like.
“When you start off and
you can’t skate and everyone else is going by you, it’s pretty
frustrating”, admitted Duffy. But like many before him, the 12 year old
right winger persevered and it really didn’t take all that long before
the gap had narrowed significantly.
“After about half a
year, I started to become one of the better players”, he said. Having
also enjoyed a year of lacrosse, Duffy made the move to the NOHA ranks
while at the Atom level and continues to be the consummate teammate.
“I try to encourage my
teammates and make sure I’m there for them.” Prodded to provide a little
more detail on exactly how one encourages their teammates within Peewee
hockey, Duffy deadpanned, “What happens in the dressing room, stays in
the dressing room.”
While he acknowledges
that his short-term goals on the ice include becoming a much better
hockey player, the St James Catholic Elementary School student is quick
to note specific areas of his game that require improvement.
“My shooting, my passing
and my timing need work”, he suggests. And while Duffy will humbly
accept some praise for his workmanlike approach to the game, Walden head
coach Ron Brown had no reluctance whatsoever in choosing Duffy as one of
his players who most exemplifies the values that both coaches and
teammates constantly search for.
And it’s an approach
that will continue to do well by Ryan Duffy in the years ahead, whether
it’s as a member of the Walden Red Devils organization or in any other
aspect of his life.
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