Jaxson Ruthven joined the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings back in the 2023-2024 season from playing in the AJHL with the Sherwood Park Crusaders and the Grande Prairie Storm wasting no time establishing himself as a premier goal scorer in the SJHL, averaging nearly a point per game over his last two seasons. I chatted with him about his time as a Red Wing, what being in Weyburn meant to him, and what the future holds for Jaxson Ruthven. You can listen to the full interview at the bottom of the article.
Dylan: So yeah, I’ll just get your full name and what team you played for.
Jaxson: Jaxson Ruthven and I played for the Weyburn Red Wings
D: Awesome. Yeah, you had two seasons with the Red Wings, very similar career paths. obviously with Jerome (Maharaj) there. Talking about this season though, what was this ride like? I mean to go from, you know, coming back to this community and this team going on those runs, the heaters, the rink malfunctions all the way to the SJHL finals; what was it like on the ice?
J: It was amazing. I mean, there's not a whole lot more you can ask for in your last year of junior hockey, I think I personally checked a lot of boxes and so did my team. It was amazing, all the ups and downs were so awesome and I'm very, very thankful and very humbled to have participated in a community like this.
D: Yeah, for sure said for yourself, spending two seasons. This is my first year, so I don't know what it's like for last year obviously going to the playoffs, seven games, losing out to Humboldt to this year, maybe what's this community been like? How has it helped kind of mold you as a hockey player and said what's that kind of been like being part of this culture?
J: Amazing. I mean, you know, every time you step on the ice in that winged wheel jersey, you feel support from whoever is in the rink and it grew and grew this year. It grew through last year and it all led up to a to a sold-out rink in the finals. I know speaking on behalf of everybody in our group that it was very special and there's nowhere else I would have rather finished my career.
D: Absolutely and said now your junior hockey career is over, you’re currently uncommitted right now, I know lots of things up in the air much like a lot of the 20-year-olds at this time. I know you said you got a business back home. You're going to get back to and do some work there. But maybe what's the future look like for Jaxson Ruthven?
J: Yeah. So you know, I can't say just yet whereabouts I'm playing next year. I will be playing hockey and going to school next year. I know that for sure. It's just a matter of where; I'm trying to figure out where I can land and what fits right for me. But yeah, I mean definitely going to get home and get to work and start building up my business a little bit and I'm hoping to study something in university that can cater to my business and help me grow that and gain some more knowledge. So yeah, I'm excited to get home and to see what happens. See what shakes out.
D: Perfect, thanks Jaxson.
Jaxson also wanted to add a few personal thank-you's to those who helped him throughout his junior hockey journey.
Jaxson: I just wanted to thank my family, my parents, my support team back home, my awesome billets. I'm very thankful for them and my beautiful, amazing girlfriend back home for all the love and support she's given me over the last two seasons. This last season it's been amazing. I just want to thank everybody for helping me there and supporting me all throughout the way.