Since the Panthers arrived in Port Hope 10 years ago a number of talented young hockey players have contributed to our organization's on-ice success. One of those players is goaltender Ethan Robertson, who signed with Port Hope in 2018-19, and as a 16-year old led Panthers' goaltenders that season in games played (27) and save percentage (.902). Robertson's immediate impact had him selected to the PJHL's Top Prospect game that season.

While Robertson's time with the Panthers lasted only a single season, signing with our Strategic-Partners the Cobourg Cougars the following year, his time in Port Hope prepared him for the jump to Jr. A and set him up for long-term success. We caught up with Ethan and asked him about his time with the Panthers, and how that prepared him for success with the Cougars as a rookie this past season.

Q: Coming out of Minor Hockey, why did you decide to sign with the Panthers? 

Robertson: I decided to sign with the Panthers after being drafted by Sarnia that year. Sarnia recommended that I get some junior hockey experience, they and the Cougars thought that Port Hope would be a good fit for me, to set me up to transition to the next level smoothly. 

Q: What was the adjustment like from minor hockey to playing Jr. C with the Panthers? 

Robertson: The adjustment to junior was a big one for me. Learning how to prepare for games when you're on the bus, having multiple team meetings before the game, a 15-minute warmup were all changes I had to adapt to. It took time to change the way I mentally prepared for games in order to be sharp and focused. Jr. C is different from minor hockey because you're playing against older, stronger, faster players and you don't have as much time to read and react to the play, you have to be much quicker. 

Q: What are some of the moments you remember when you think back on your time with the Panthers? 

Robertson: Beating Picton, in Cobourg, during Hockey Day in Northumberland is a highlight for sure. When I look back on that year I think about the camaraderie of our group, showing up at practices and hanging out in the dressing room with the guys, and making a playoff push after a tough start to the year stand out for sure. 

Q: You were selected for the PJHL's Top Prospects Game, what did that mean to you to be recognized like that? 

Robertson: It was very humbling to be recognized with the awards. It took a lot of hard work that season, every time I stepped on the ice I pushed myself to improve and be the best that I can be. 

Q: How did you improve as a player that season, with Port Hope, where did you see the most improvement and growth in your game, and in you as a person? 

Robertson: I improved as a player, learning how to read read and react to the game a lot quicker since the game was faster than minor hockey. As a person, I gained a lot of confidence in meeting and playing with new people. With Clarington, I grew up playing with the same group of guys each year, when I signed in Port Hope it was different, I didn't know anyone on the team before I got there. I made new friends and I think that experience with new teammates helped me grow as a person.

Q:  This season, as a rookie with the Cougars you were selected for the OJHL's Top Prospects Game and were named to the OJHL All-Prospect 1st Team, how did a year with the Panthers prepare you to be successful, and dominate, when you made the jump to Jr. A? 

Robertson: Playing Jr. C with the Panthers definitely prepared and helped me take the next step in my development. After that year in Port Hope I had learned how to prepare for games at the junior level, so stepping into the OJHL with the Cougars didn't feel like a huge adjustment once I got up to speed a few weeks in. Because I had that time in Port Hope to adjust to the differences between minor hockey and junior hockey and to grow and improve as a player and person, I was ready to contribute as soon as I got my opportunity with the Cougars. 

Ethan will be returning to the Cougars crease for the 2020-2021 season and is poised to build off a strong rookie campaign this year as a sophomore. Be sure to track Ethan's career by following the Cougars on Facebook and Twitter.