Halifax native making his mark on Valley hockey scene
After a few years away, Halifax native Ethan Landry is once again playing hockey in Nova Scotia.
The Valley Junior A Wildcats made Landry the first overall pick at last June's Maritime Hockey League entry draft. Landry played the last two seasons at St. Andrews College, north of Toronto, but is now helping lead the Wildcats offence in Berwick.
“I started in the Halifax Hawks organization,” says Landry, “then moved onto Accel Major Bantam program and played a year with the Halifax McDonalds. I really enjoyed all my minor hockey in Halifax.”
Playing with the Wildcats is a return in more ways than one. Valley's roster contains many names familiar to Landry and Halifax hockey fans alike.
“I got really lucky. I got a chance to play with Brant King, Chad Wilson, and Aaron Brown all on the Macs team," he says.
"They're great guys. They were great leaders to me in my first year in midget, and they're great players as well, so I'm happy to be reconnected with them.”
The 18-year-old's high selection in this year's draft is also pretty special.
“It was a huge honour to be drafted by Valley, and not something I take lightly,” adds Landry. “It's something that drives me to be a better player, to push myself and our team, and be the best that I can. Valley's a great organization, I'm enjoying my time here, and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years and lots of success.”
Landry is an offensiveminded player who fits well into the Wildcats' fast skating style of play. He's already earned the nickname 'Lambo Landry' for being as fast as a Lamborghini.
“I think I'm a guy who has pretty good speed,” he says modestly. “I try to utilize that in games and keep my feet moving. We've got a lot of goal scorers on this team, everybody can contribute. Trying to bury my chances when I can, getting set up for good passes with my teammates, making sure I'm sharing the puck.”
He's also been able to showcase those skills in Halifax with the Mooseheads. Landry attended Mooseheads training camp, and has suited up a few times already with the Herd.
“I was able to sign an AP card with the Mooseheads, and it's something I was very honoured to do. It's a great group, I think they're going to be very successful this year. So it's been great for me to experience that, and I feel it's helped my game coming to the Wildcats.”
Landry graduated high school this past June from
St. Andrews, even if the prep school experience was significantly altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“(Going to St. Andrews) was a great move for me. From the school to the hockey to the friendships that
I made, plus student council and stuff like that. It was a great place for me to develop, not just as a hockey player, but as a person. It was two great years for me."
Landry was at home in Halifax for March Break when the COVID-19 situation began to worsen in Canada. St. Andrews switched to completely online for the remainder of the year.
"They did a great job, and I'm very fortunate for that. I didn't have the exact same inclass experience, but I found the education was superb. I was just really focused on my grades, making sure I was taking care of school first," he says.
Landry scored his first Wildcats goal Nov. 6, helping the team to its first win of the season, a 3–1 victory over the Yarmouth Mariners.