Garden Valley Collegiate Zodiacs goaltender Peyton Enns has faced a lot of rubber this season, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Grade 10 goalie has seen 545 shots in 12 games, averaging about 45 shots per game, while posting a save percentage Enns says is sitting at .896.
“Goalies need that,” Enns said, referring to guarding the net, “You don’t get to show yourself if you’re not getting shots.”
From billet house to the crease
Enns said his path to hockey started at home, where his family hosted players from the Winkler Flyers.
“We billeted Winkler Flyers and then my dad was always like helping me with getting on the ice and stuff,” he said.
Having junior players around the house made hockey feel normal, he said, even at a young age.
“It was cool. Like everybody would always be like, can I come to your house? You have a mini stick buddy to play against.”
Why goalie?
Enns credits former Flyers goaltender Troy Martnick for inspiring him to step into the crease.
“I just saw that Troy, like no matter what game he had, he would always have a good mood and he always would go out there and try his best and kind of leave everything else on the ice,” Enns said.
He added that the move to goaltending made sense for him.
“I maybe wasn’t the most talented player… so then when I got the chance to play goalie, I took it and kept it.”
Enns said he first played goal during his first year of Atom hockey and was hooked quickly.
“As soon as I finally found out like, okay, coach said I’m going to be dressing as goalie now… I’m making saves,” he said.
Peyton with his Zodiacs mask, featuring a quote by Herb Brooks
The gear — and the mask
Like many goaltenders, Enns admits the gear is part of the appeal.
“You can do so much with them. You can change them. You can add your own little things to them,” he said.
Enns currently wears True pads and a custom-designed mask by Ryan Sawatsky, featuring stars and Zodiac-themed elements.
“Stars look kind of old school with the helmet,” Enns said with enthusiasm.
A team that feels like family
Beyond the saves, Enns said the best part of high school hockey is the daily connection with teammates.
“Just like, seeing them in school every day,” he said. “If maybe you’re being a goof in school, you’ll get a hard time at the rink a little bit.”
As the regular season winds down, Enns believes the Zodiacs can push into the playoffs.
“Oh yeah, I believe in the boys,” he said. “We’ll make it.”
The Zodiacs have only road games remaining before the post-season, with home games expected to resume once playoffs begin.
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