Ethan Dekay joined the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings in his 20-year-old year of junior hockey, emerging as an elite level talent in the SJHL with his speed and hockey IQ. I talked with him recapping the 2024-2025 season, his junior career as a whole, and the future for Ethan Dekay. You can listen to the full interview at the bottom of this article.
Dylan: First, I’ll get your full name and the team you played for.
Ethan: Ethan Dekay for the Weyburn Red Wings
D: Ethan, this was your first year with the Weyburn Red Wings. You joined the club earlier on in the season. What was it like I guess coming to this team and being able to contribute and go on the run you guys had? What was this year for you like?
E: Yeah, it was great. I mean, the group of guys we have, we were so close knit and being able to be as successful as we were was amazing. I mean, it was honestly a great experience.
D: For sure, did it feel like you had some comfortability, you know, with this team? Obviously, you spent some time kind of moving around in your junior career, started out in Brooks, Cowichan, then down to Wisconsin for a little bit, Okotoks for a couple games before joining the Weyburn Red Wings. Did you feel coming to small town Saskatchewan was a, you know, a little bit homier, I guess, and felt a bit more comfortable as a player?
E: Yeah, definitely. I mean, being here in Saskatchewan, it's what I'm used to as well. I played formally at PHA (Prairie Hockey Academy in Caronport, SK), so there's some history there. I mean it just, I love Sask.
D: Fair enough. And I mean, pretty sweet throughout the year. Obviously, you'll led the team in game-winning goals with four. I know a lot of times I was calling your name with you scoring. I guess what was it like to see the community kind of rally behind you as a player, the team as well and you know, what was it like on the ice when you put the puck in the back of the net and the fans are cheering?
E: It was so fun. There's nothing better than having the community right behind you and being able to I mean, they're just special moments, right? It's nothing better.
D: Yeah, for sure and so now you've aged out of junior hockey. You've committed earlier on in the year to playing NCAA D1 with the Michigan Tech Huskies. So, heading down south, how excited are you for that opportunity?
E: Yeah, I'm pumped. I'm obviously, like I'll, I'll miss everyone here so much. But yeah, I'm pumped. I'm pumped for my future. I'm pumped for everyone here, their future all the other 20’s, Gonna miss them all.