The journey a hockey player takes through his career is like a snowflake. Each and every one is different, but they all get to where they’re supposed to be. The trials and tribulations each player faces throughout their career are all unique, and they all deal with them differently. As they rise through the ranks of the hockey world, the pressure meter hits another level. While some can’t handle the lights getting brighter, others embrace it and find their role.
Saskatchewan born goaltender Alex Worthington seems to have found his place in the junior hockey world, manning the crease for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. While from a young age he didn’t think much of advancing to such a high level of play, he is now at the top of his game despite any outside pressure that may be present.
“There’s definitely pressure to perform everyday,” Worthington mentioned.
Although he believes he needs to perform at a high level, he doesn’t feel as much pressure to stand out. By trying to be the kind of player to fly under the radar and do the job the best he can, this allows him to focus on the game and tune out distractions. Realizing that it’s just a game allows him to have fun and take the outside noise away.
When he does start to feel the heat, Worthington also knows how to settle the nerves. “Just embrace it and have fun with it,” he said.
The Oil Kings netminder reminds himself not to overthink anything and to embrace the moment. Take a breath, and look forward to the next play. “If you get scored on, there’s no point in looking back on it so just always look ahead at that next shot.”
Worthington’s mindset and demeanor on the ice is not the only thing that maximizes his performance. He also has a strict game-day schedule that he sticks to that includes things like a short morning skate, proper meals throughout the day, rest, off-ice warm ups pregame, and some bible readings. He also notes that he takes roughly five showers a day on game days. It’s a superstition he has had for quite some time. Every player has their one thing they do, and this is his.
It’s routines and working on his mindset that have allowed Worthington to get to where he is today. Hockey was really the only sport he focused on growing up, and although there were many bumps in the road and times where the game wasn’t his favourite thing, he enjoys looking back at it all now.
“It’s been cool to see how hard work has paid off,” he mentioned when reflecting on his journey.
Worthington hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing professionally beyond his WHL career, however he doesn’t want to think about that just yet. “There’s no point in looking ahead right now.”
He wants to stay focused on what’s in front of him this year with the Oil Kings and potentially his next season of junior and build off of that.
Worthington is like so many in his field, vying for a spot on their respective teams and hoping that the right person is watching on the right day. However, each player is going through something completely different at each moment and each one has a different path to prepare and get there. Worthington has the answer that so many others have when asked if professional hockey is where they want to end up.
“It’s definitely the goal.”
by Jackson Scherger
Jackson Scherger is a journalism student at MacEwan University in Edmonton. Originally from Macklin, Sask., Jackson looks to continue to gain experience in sports journalism as he pursues a career in this field.