Get To Know: Ethan Buenaventura
There’s nothing like draft day.
The buzz and excitement of waiting to hear your name called and the feeling when it happens is unforgettable.
For Manitoba native Ethan Buenaventura, he experienced all these emotions and more when the Hitmen selected him 77th overall, being the only goaltender selected by the club at the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
“It was a special moment,” he said. “I was in the cafeteria with all of my teammates and we were all watching the draft when a couple guys went before me. I was celebrating with them and that’s when I got drafted.
“I was pumped when I saw I was picked by Calgary and it’s a day I’ll never forget. My parents called me right away and they very excited that I was going to Calgary.”
Learn more about the goaltender in a quick Q&A
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 165 lb.
Birthday: June 22, 2004
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
2018/19 Stats: 14 GP, 11-2, 2.48 GAA, .925 SV%
Question: Who Is Your Favourite NHL Team?
Buenaventura: Vegas Golden Knights.
Q: Who Is Your Favourite NHL Player?
Buenaventura: Marc-Andre Fleury
Q: Who Do You Model Your Game After?
Buenaventura: Carey Price or Carter Hart. They are so composed in net and great goaltenders overall.
Q: What Is Your Pre-Game Ritual?
Buenaventura: I’ll have a shower and then have my pre-game meal, I’ll then head to the rink two hours before the game. I tape both my sticks, do some lower body workouts focusing on my hips, warmup with the team and finally I’ll juggle to get my hand-eye coordination going.
Q: What’s Your Favourite Hockey Memory?
Buenaventura: I have two, the first being a double overtime game back in Peewee, the stands were packed and it was such an amazing atmosphere. The other would be the playing in the Brick Invitational when I got to represent the Winnipeg Jr. Jets.
Q: What’s Your Favourite Movie?
Buenaventura: Goon.
Q: What’s Your Favourite TV Show?
Buenaventura: Friends.
Q: If You Could Have Dinner With Anyone In The World, Who Would It Be?
Buenaventura: Keven Hart. He’s a funny guy and I think it would be cool to hear all his funny stories.
Q: What’s Your Favourite Food?
Buenaventura: Ribs.
Q: How Would You Describe Your Play-Style?
Buenaventura: I like to use my size to my advantage but also use my athleticism to stop the puck. I try to stay as calm and composed in net and I’m very good at handling the puck. I like to be a leader on and off the ice.
Q: How Was This Past Season For You And Your Team?
Buenaventura: I love playing at Rink Academy, they push you to be the best you can be not just as a player but also as a person. It was tough adjusting to the league at first but then I settled in and saw my confidence grow as the season went on. Overall, I felt like it was a good year for the team and personally also.
