Behind the Jersey – Jack Van Volsen
Jack Van Volsen, who is a seasoned veteran in the OHL, is playing in his first season with the Sarnia Sting. Van Volsen brings a strong sense of hockey knowledge and a unique perspective to the Sting, given his unique background and career.
The six-foot-two center was selected sixth overall in the 2022 OHL priority draft by the Peterborough Petes. He played just 29 games with the Petes before being traded to the Mississauga Steelheads. In his short time in Peterborough, Van Volsen amassed 11 points, solidifying him as a rookie to keep an eye on.
Van Volsen said that, although being traded so early in his OHL career, he gained an understanding and perspective that he might not have otherwise. He said, “First and foremost, I learned the business side of hockey very early on. It also prepared and matured me at a very early age.” The then 16-year-old player was just getting used to his new life and routine while playing in Peterborough when he was traded and had to do it all over again. “At the end of the day, it’s just hockey, no matter where it is. These moves prepared me for my future career and taught me valuable life lessons”.
When reflecting on his early days in the league, Van Volsen said he feels like a completely different person and player, and that he has grown not only on, but off the ice as well. The centerman was the only 16-year-old on the team during his time with the Petes. To most, this would be daunting; Van Volsen called it “lucky”. Being thrown in the fire right from the start got his wheels moving early on, and is what he attributes some of his on-ice confidence to.
Hockey runs in the Van Volsen family. Jack’s father, Mike Van Volsen, and uncle Joe Van Volsen each had OHL careers of their own. His father played as a defenceman for Niagara Falls Thunder, Detroit Jr. Whalers and Belleville Bulls from 1994-97, while his uncle was a forward with the Soo Greyhounds and Belleville Bulls from 1992-96. When asked about the influence these close figures had on his career, he said, “It’s been everything. It’s so easy to ask them anything. It really helped me, especially in my first year”. The experience in his family helped prepare him for what to expect and how to handle himself as a rookie in the league. Throughout his four years, Van Volsen’s father has played a crucial role in supporting him through hard times on and off the ice. “He knows the game, he’s played it. He’s been so helpful in every way”.
In his time with Sarnia so far, he has affirmed his special-teams skills as a scoring unit, with five of his eight goals coming on the power play. The 19-year-old says that his game has gotten faster and stronger, “I’ve always been able to shoot the puck well, and skate and keep up with play”. In terms of improvement, Van Volsen says he is working on his puck possession and getting selfish with the puck.
The power play shooter describes the unit as a “bright spot” for the team this season. The power play has been a dependable unit for the team all season, this year coached by assistant coach Mason Baptista. Van Volsen said Baptista’s effort has been encouraging for those on the unit: “Having a coach that cares so much has really helped us out this year.”
Van Volsen’s hockey I.Q. comes into the equation when talking about his power play performance, he said, “One of my other biggest strengths is the way I think the game, I understand the places to be”. He attributes much of the unit’s success to the other members of the powerplay, “it’s just as much credit to them as it is to me”.
The Teddy Bear Toss is an annual tradition in the OHL. Not only is it a charitable cause, but also a game where the opening goal carries extra weight, the much-desired Teddy Bear Goal. Van Volsen is no stranger to the prized goal, having scored the Teddy Bear goal both in Peterborough in his first year and again this season in Sarnia. This year’s game against the Flint Firebirds was a nail-biter in Sarnia, with a 0-0 score up until the third, with fans gripping on to their teddies with anticipation, ready to be launched onto the ice. Van Volsen found the back of the net early in the third, bringing life back to the arena. “It’s a fun night, all the guys want to score. It definitely felt good to score that one”. The teddy bear tenured scorer went on to score a shootout goal alongside Alessandro Dio Iorio to bring Sarnia to a win that night.
The Sarnia Sting have faced their fair share of change and adversity this season with ownership, coaching and leadership changes. When asked about how he and the team stay focused amidst change, Van Volsen, who describes himself as a routine-oriented player, said, “At the end of the day, it’s about what you can control. There have been some changes and outside noise, but that comes from our play. We need to dig in and focus on our game. A big thing for me is focusing on my process”.
The next step for Van Volsen is working on performing consistently with the team and making a run for the playoffs. “Every game from now on is a battle; we need to bring it every night”.
