Brandon’s McCallum looking forward to draft day

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This article was published 08/12/2021 (1398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ethan McCallum can see the positives and negatives of the 2021 Western Hockey League draft being pushed back.

The six-foot-two, 180-pound goalie has spent the last two seasons at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, which is located west of Regina in Wilcox.

“There are periods of time when it can really get in your head,” McCallum said. “Last year I was so excited for that draft to come up and then it got pushed back. 

“This year, at least it’s in December, but actually it was really great for me because I didn’t think I was very good last year. Since being at Notre Dame it’s helped me improve, and this year so far I’ve been coming up strong and getting better.”

In a pair of games before the pandemic ended Notre Dame’s season in 2020, the Brandon native posted a gaudy 1.02 goals-against average and a .969 save percentage.

He admits that moving away from home — and dad Darren, mother Dana, brother Chase and sister Cassie — at age 14 wasn’t easy.

“I had a rough start getting used to being away from family and friends,” McCallum said. “After the first two weeks, the people of Notre Dame and all the guys in the dorm really made it feel just like home. I really loved the experience there and the hockey program that it offers is unbelievable.”

Playing under one goalie coach last year and two this year has also been a big help. 

“They’re terrific goalie coaches and I’m thankful to have them every single day on the ice with me,” McCallum said. 

In 11 starts this year, he has a 3.26 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage despite his team’s 2-13-0-1 record in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

“I’ve been very happy lately with my performances,” McCallum said. “I’ve been doing pretty well considering the fact that our team is struggling a bit out of the gate. It’s been getting a little better because we’ve been battling against the top teams in our league. Of course we’re going to have our good and bad days. All I can think about is the next day and move forward to it. That really helps me a lot.

“Since being at Notre Dame my confidence and my mentality has been so much better. I don’t have any anxiety anymore during games, no matter how much pressure is put on me. It’s been a really good year so far.”

McCallum, who grew six inches between Grade 5 and 7, thinks for his size he moves pretty well, adding he has good tracking and is solid with upper-body rebound control.

Like most players who are self aware and eager to get better, his to-do list is a lot longer.

“There are so many things right now,” McCallum said with a chuckle. “The big focus is trying to stay on my feet as long as possible and always be in my ready position when the puck’s in my zone or even at the red line because you never know what’s going to happen during a game situation.

“The puck might bounce in the wrong way and you have to be ready for that as well.”

He’s also trying to build his confidence when he has to leave the crease to play the puck. 

It certainly didn’t hurt that he was picked to represent Manitoba at the WHL Cup in Red Deer. Manitoba dropped four of its five games from Oct. 20 to 24, but McCallum posted a 3.01 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in three appearances.

“It was an unbelievable experience,” McCallum said. “I’m grateful for that week because that’s probably the best week of hockey I’ve ever enjoyed, just being able to represent your province, and all the guys were unbelievable to be with and the coaching staff … It was a really good experience.

“I was very spoiled. It was nice.”

He was named top goaltender in the tournament, something he calls “pretty cool.” He just wishes he could have done a bit more for his team.

“I was decently happy with my performances at the WHL Cup,” McCallum said. “I feel there are a few things I could have done better and helped my team out a bit more but at the end of the day, some things just don’t go your way.”

He will be in school on draft day, but admits he’s really excited and interesting to see what happens.

At least for now, he favours a WHL career over college.

“I’m leaning more towards major junior and the WHL,” McCallum said. “I’ve talked to both sides but having grown up with the Western Hockey League being in Brandon watching the Wheat Kings, as a kid you want to play there or play in that league. I think that’s the main reason I’m leaning to the WHL route.”

He also had a meaningful encounter with a former Wheat Kings netminder that made an indelible impression. One of his coaches in his first year of under-15 AAA was David Anning, the former Wheat Kings bench boss.

Anning set up a meeting between McCallum and Czech goalie Jiri Patera, who started for the Wheat Kings for two seasons.

“He was probably one of the most friendly, nicest guys I’ve ever met,” McCallum said. “It was so nice watching him play games. Obviously hockey has been going great for him.”

Patera remains in the Vegas Golden Knights system with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.

While McCallum has certainly showed he has the potential to be a WHL player like Patera, he’s not letting things like the WHL Cup award go to his head.

Instead, he’s working to fulfill that promise.

“I’m very proud of that and thankful that people think of me like that but it’s just staying humble because I’m nowhere near where I need to be,” McCallum said. “There are a lot of things I can improve on and that’s just taking my next step.”

 

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