The hardest working athletes are typically those who have battled the most adversity. In minor hockey, the on-ice performance and results come from off-ice dedication and preparation. Although none of the most valuable player awards, city, provincial or regional championships can be found in the weight room, it is the birthplace of those glorious displays, the place where true hockey perfectionists hone their craft. Winnipeg’ s Mitch Joss is living proof that dedication and commitment go a long way. The 16-year-old right winger currently stands 5-foot-10 and weighs in at 170 pounds. His size may not seem extremely impressive from a distance, but by digging deeper into his story, it becomes easy to see that the once fivefoot, 95 pound 13-year-old has come a very long way.
“ I have just always wanted to play the highest level of hockey that I can,” the current
|
Waverley Heights resident said.“ I have been working out with my trainer Justin Webber at the CrossFit Roborean, doing everything from weight lifting to cardio. It’ s really great there. I have also been skating in the off-season with J. P. Vigier since 2012. I’ ve been going to J. P. for quite a few years now and have that personal connection with him, which I think helps a lot in my development and training.” All of that additional training has clearly paid off for the second-year Winnipeg Wild playmaker, who found himself drafted to the Dauphin Kings 25th overall in the 2016 MJHL draft.
“ I am hoping to make the Dauphin Kings next year and play there,” Joss said.“ From that, my goal is to land an NCAA scholarship. I want to stay involved with sports, so I plan to take kinesiology to become an athletic therapist or trainer later on.”
Staying involved with sports is certainly something that Joss likely picked up from his parents, Trevor and Keri.
|
Trevor has made it a priority to spend time in the gym training CrossFit-style with his son, while Keri volunteered her time in various roles with the Winnipeg AA Twins, most recently serving as Publicity Director from 2014-17.
Making his way through the AA system as a member of the Twins gave Mitch an opportunity to excel while playing higher level hockey than offered before. Finishing the 2012-13 season as city finalists, Joss helped guide his team to victory in the 2013-14 city championships and the 2014 Regina Peewee Classic. Joss and winning just seem to go hand-in-hand.
|
Following his trips to the finals with the Twins in 2013-14, Joss won back-toback city championships in 2014-15 and 2015-16 with the Bantam I and II Monarchs. Last season with the Winnipeg Wild, the speedy forward put together 19 goals and 34 points in 43 games, en-route to the Manitoba Midget AAA Provincial Championship. So far in this his grade 11 season, Joss has recorded 19 points in 22 games |
Photos by Laurie Anderson |