Built on Grit How Rhett Ravndahl Fought for his Spot
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
It was a night most wouldn’t expect from a self-described stay-at-home defenceman. But for Rhett Ravndahl, scoring two goals against Spokane — his first multi-goal game in years — was more than just a stat line. It was a moment that validated long hours of work and a summer spent proving he belonged.
“Unbelievable,” Ravndahl said. “Someone asked me when the last time I had two goals in a game was, and I couldn’t remember. It’s been that long. Seeing two go in for me was surreal.”
Two goals in a game for Ravndahl wasn’t just unexpected, it was emotional. You could feel the bench lift. Players who know how hard his minutes are earned, not gifted, celebrated that much more.This season, Ravndahl has tallied two goals and one assist for three points in 10 games.
Coming into camp, Ravndahl knew the odds — four 20-year-olds fighting for three spots.“I made sure I had a good summer so I could come back and prove to the coaches I deserved a spot and could help the team.” he said.
A product of long rink days and even longer nights chasing older brothers on the ice, Ravndahl credits those early years for shaping his edge.“One brother was six years older, one three, and they were bigger,” he said. “I’d get out there with their teams while my Dad coached. I got pushed around a bit, but it was awesome.”
Growing up, Ravndahl was a fan of two-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Drew Doughty. Nowadays, he models his game after St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko.
Ravndahl describes his play style plainly. “I’m more of a stay-at-home defensive defenceman. I try to break pucks out, make it easy on my forwards, and get the puck to them.” Ravndahl embraces the physical element that he brings to the locker room too, something that’s evident even going back to last season when he got into a scrap during the Kamloops Fighting Trout game. But, it’s part of his identity now. One of the few on the roster comfortable stepping into that role.
As a 20-year-old veteran on the roster, Ravndahl knows leadership is expected, “I just make sure everyone’s comfortable and confident going onto the ice. Some guys need a little extra push sometimes. I think I can help with that.”
The Blazers continue to work through early-season injuries, but momentum is beginning to build. We’re starting to find ourselves as a team,” Ravndahl said. “The goal is to be in a good spot come Christmas so we can make a push into playoffs.”
In a season that will demand resilience, players like Ravndahl — steady, tough, trusted — might matter more than the ones most often on the scoresheet.
