Thunderbirds' Ross Named WHL Rookie of the Month
January 31, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that goaltender Roddy Ross of the Seattle Thunderbirds has been named WHL Rookie of the Month for January 2019.
Signed to WHL Standard Player Agreement on January 1, 2019, Ross posted a 6-1-0-1 record, 2.30 goals-against-average and stopped 235 of 255 shots for a 0.922 save percentage in the month of January, advancing the Seattle Thunderbirds into a Wild Card spot in the WHL's Western Conference.
Ross made his WHL debut January 4, 2019, against the Brandon Wheat Kings as he joined the Thunderbirds on a six-game road trip in the East Division. On January 6, the Meadow Lake, Sask. product made his first-career WHL start in his home province against the Regina Pats, where he backstopped his way to his first career WHL victory for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Stopping 19 of 22 shots, Ross' input led to a 6-3 win over the Pats.
Later in the road trip, Ross faced the league-leading Prince Albert Raiders. Stopping 32 of 33 shots from the Raiders, Ross contributed to a 4-1 win in Seattle's favour, earning him second star of the game honours on January 9. Two days later, Ross stood strong again in net against the Moose Jaw Warriors by saving 24 of 26 shots.
On Tuesday, January 22, Ross was given the first star of the night honours in the WHL when he posted 34 saves in a 2-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs. He stopped 13 shots in the first period, nine in the second and 12 in the third for the victory and at that time, he had yet to lose a regulation game in his first six performances with the Thunderbirds.
Prior to the WHL, the 2000-born, 6-foot-4, 180-pound goaltender began his 2018-19 hockey season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Camrose Kodiaks where he appeared in 22 games, maintaining a 2.94 GAA and 0.920 SV%.
Last season, Ross played in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMHL) for the Tisdale Trojans and posted a 12-6-0 record, 1.85 GAA and 0.940 SV%. For these statistics, Ross was awarded the SMHL's Best Save Percentage award and was named to the SMHL's First All-Star Team as the only goaltender.
Ross and the Thunderbirds return to action when they host the Everett Silvertips at the accesso ShoWare Center, Friday, February 1 (7:35 p.m. PT).
WHL Rookie of the Month
January: Roddy Ross, Seattle Thunderbirds
December: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
November: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
September/October: Jake Neighbours, Edmonton Oil Kings
Western Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2019
- Silvertips Host Local Heroes Night February 2 - Everett Silvertips
- Bowen Byram Named WHL McSweeney's Player of the Month - Vancouver Giants
- Oil Kings' Scott Named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month - WHL
- Giants' Byram Named WHL McSweeney's Player of the Month - WHL
- Todd Scott Named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Kelowna Rockets and CMHA Kelowna team up to raise awareness about mental health February 2nd - Kelowna Rockets
- Thunderbirds' Ross Named WHL Rookie of the Month - WHL
- Rockets Set for Weekend with One on the Road, One at Home - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation Jerseys Friday, February 1st - Kamloops Blazers
- Vancouver Giants and CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Team up to Raise Awareness About Mental Health on Saturday, February 2, 2019 - Vancouver Giants
- Byram's OT Winner Lifts the Giants over the Blazers 3-2 - Vancouver Giants
- Rybinski Grounds Rockets in Overtime - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rockets Earn Point in OT Loss - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Offense Dominant in 7-2 Win over Portland - Spokane Chiefs
- Winterhawks Reach 200 Goals in Spokane - Portland Winterhawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
