It’s a huge jump: Ansems
Annapolis Valley talent rising through the ranks in the hockey world
When you look over the roster of the Kohltech U18 Major Valley Wildcats, one name towers above the others — literally. At six-foot-eight, Wildcats defenceman Carter Ansems always stands out in a crowd.
“I grew up in Canning, and played minor hockey at Acadia,” says Ansems.
“I switched to the Wildcats program in Major Bantam (U15), played two years there, then came up to the Valley Major Midget (U18) program for two years.”
Ansems' size makes him a threat on the ice, and not just in terms of physical play.
“I think my offensive game is a big factor,” says the 16-year-old with the booming point shot. By mid-February, Ansems led the Wildcats defenders in points, scoring four goals and 12 points in 17 games.
His unique combination of size and skill earned Ansems attention from the next level. In June 2020, Ansems was selected in the fifth round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He calls it the best experience of his life.
“Getting picked by that team, it was great. Going up to camp was a great experience and really helped my development as a player.”
Ansems knows he's got plenty more hard work ahead of him in order to continue moving up in the hockey world.
“It's a huge jump. I remember playing my first game against Saint John and I was playing against guys getting drafted to the NHL that year, so it was a big eye-opener.”
Bathurst selected a pair of Wildcats in last summer's draft. The QMJHL club also acquired the rights to Valley forward Aidan MacLeod, picking up the speedy centreman in the ninth round.
“It was pretty cool,” says MacLeod.
“Draft day is a lot. Kind of just sitting by your phone waiting for a text or a phone call. It was cool to finally get that call from Bathurst. Hopefully I'll go to camp with them next year.”
Just turning 17, MacLeod is in his fourth season as a Valley Wildcat. He played two seasons with the U15 team before moving up to the Kohltech U18 Wildcats last season. He had an impressive rookie season last year, scoring at nearly a-point-a-game pace.
“I think I'm a good 200-foot centreman; I play offence and defence both pretty well,” says MacLeod. “I'm pretty smart on the ice, and I can contribute on offence. This year's been a little slower than I wanted, but we're getting back on track.”
Play in the provincial U18 league was paused for two full months earlier this season. Valley won five of their first six games when play resumed, quickly climbing to third place in the standings. Players and teams around HRM were barred from practising for several weeks of the pause, but MacLeod notes that he and his Valley-based teammates continued to train the whole time and stayed in game shape.
Valley's scoring leader by mid-February is first-year Wildcat, Ryan MacIntyre.
The Sackville native has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points through 17 games. While he's new to the Wildcats, MacIntyre isn't a rookie at the U18 level, playing with the Cole Harbour Wolfpack last season.
MacIntyre says team chemistry has been a big part of Valley's success on the ice.
“The boys are buzzing. I think we really found our connection,” he says. “All the boys are close now; we're all buddies.”
The 16-year-old says he does some of his best work on the ice on special teams.
“I think I'm a great penalty kill guy. I like to chip pucks out and go get them in deep. Probably like to work on getting a little bit better in the D zone.”
It isn't all hockey and schoolwork for MacIntyre. The forward says he's found ways to cope and bring a sense of normalcy to the ongoing pandemic.
“It's been hard for everyone, but my family does game nights on Friday night. Lots of family activities to make it a happier place at home.”
Carter Ansems
Defenceman with the Kohltech U18 Major Valley Wildcats