Rookie Spotlight: Jack Van Volsen
Growing up, kids always dream of what it would be like to play at the next level. Petes forward Jack Van Volsen was no different. Coming from a family of OHL alumni, Jack was destined to follow in their footsteps. On April 29th, the Brooklin native’s dreams came true as he was selected 6th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Peterborough Petes.
“It was a pretty surreal feeling,” Van Volsen reminisced. “Growing up, the OHL is something you always look at when playing minor hockey. To have my name called by a great organization like the Petes was pure excitement.”
“He’s a highly skilled player, who has a lot of offensive upside and our fans are going to enjoy watching him this season,” mentioned Petes GM, Mike Oke. Two games into the season and it seems Van Volsen is already living up to expectations. On October 1st vs Hamilton, Van Volsen scored his first OHL goal in impressive fashion.
“Somebody grab that puck!”@PetesOHLhockey rookie Jack Van Volsen tucks in his first #OHL goal from a tight angle????️@syngentacanada | @GrainFarmers pic.twitter.com/mvWiroFfbF
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) October 2, 2022
“Coming into the year as a first-year player, your first goal is something you think of. Only playing in my second game and having it in front of the home crowd, was extremely exciting,” Van Volsen said. “It’s a bit of a relief off my shoulders and having my family in the building to see it happen was very special.”
Jack’s father, Mike, has acted as a mentor throughout his life and has provided valuable knowledge as he continues to build his hockey career. Mike Van Volsen played from 1994-97 with the Niagara Falls Thunder, Detroit Whalers and the Belleville Bulls, tallying 13 goals and 47 points in 177 games.
Van Volsen credits his father for instilling the importance of consistency, hard work and positivity in everything he does. “He has always guided me throughout every step of life that I’ve gone through, especially last year with it being my draft year because he has gone through the same thing,” Van Volsen explained. “Whenever I was going through a rut, he always knew what to do and say. He’s been there every step of the way and I wouldn’t be here without him.”
With a core of returning players, Van Volsen has plenty of other guys to lean on and learn from. “There are a lot of guys I look up to on the team so having the opportunity to practice and play with them is super beneficial. I’m just trying to take as much advice from them and continue to grow myself on and off the ice. We have some big goals for the year so I’m just trying to help in any way I can.”
“It’s a long process, you can’t get too frustrated. Being consistent with myself, my training and all the little things is what makes the big picture,” said Van Volsen. “Along with always working hard, I’m just trying to have fun, enjoy the moments and take in every part of it.”