After a strong rookie season in 2018-19 with the Humboldt Broncos, the goaltender spent the next two campaigns away. He rejoined the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League squad before this season and, at the Christmas break, had helped backstop it to an SJHL best 27-8-0-0 record. Ramsay has earned the win in 25 of those 27 Bronco victories.
“To say he has been nothing but great is an understatement,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said.
The Broncos bench boss noted that Ramsay’s league-leading 25 wins matches the season-ending total of the league leaders in the 2017-2020 seasons – the least three full SJHL campaigns. As well as wins, the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder paces the league’s netminders in games played (31), minutes (1,841), saves (848), and shootout wins (three). The 20-year-old Saskatoon product ranks second in save percentage (0.929) and third in goals against average (2.12). Ramsay has two shutouts this season and a 25-6-0-0 record.
“Rayce has been fantastic for us,” Barney said. “Every game he gives us an opportunity to win, which is all you can ask from your goalie. He’s been the backbone to our success. His work ethic off the ice, on the ice … in practice, he makes his teammates – our shooters – better every day. It’s been a huge part of our success.”
Ramsay is pleased to be back in Humboldt. He has billeted with the Warfords in both of his Broncos seasons. He appreciates numerous aspects of the community and the team.
“I’ve really enjoyed the atmosphere we have created at the rink as a team,” Ramsay said. “It’s one where guys want to come to the rink and get better and succeed and that’s really fun to be a part of. I think we all know we have a chance to be a part of something really special here and win a championship, so it’s been a good journey so far trying to make that happen. I’ve also enjoyed the support and friendliness of our fans, our billets, and our community in general.”
As a junior hockey rookie at 17, Ramsay posted a 16-7-0-1 record with a 2.72 goals against average and .923 save percentage. He was an important part of a Broncos squad that got the team back onto the ice after the devastating bus crash that claimed 16 lives in the 2018 postseason.
“Playing as a young guy helped me get used to a better level of hockey and gave me a better idea of what I had to work on to be able to succeed at higher levels of play,” Ramsay said of his rookie season with the Broncos. “It’s made me appreciate the whole opportunity of junior hockey that much more now that I’m the older guy and the one who has to lead the way for the younger players whose shoes I was once in.”
Barney said that Ramsay gained valuable experience in the Broncos’ seven-game playoff series against Estevan. Two games went to at least one overtime with the Bruins moving on after a game seven OT win.
During his rookie campaign, Ramsay was in the net for two games with the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. He played all of 2019-20 at the WHL level. Ramsay was 13-8-1-0 with a 3.07 goals against average in 25 appearances.
In a 2020-21 hockey season shortened and altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramsay did not see any game action. He spent that time working on his craft.
“He put in a lot of time over the period of COVID when he wasn’t playing a lot of hockey and no one was,” Barney said. “He was able to elevate his game and his trade.”
Ramsay is focused on trying to help the Broncos win a championship. As for the future, he would like to earn a computer science degree while playing U Sports hockey.
“I see a great future for Rayce, whether it be going to play U Sports or going to play professionally in Europe or North America,” said Barney, who had a long pro career. “His game is getting better and better. We’re glad he’s a Humboldt Bronco.”
The Broncos before the holidays
Tuesday, Dec. 14 in Humboldt
Humboldt 8, Kindersley 0
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran (3), Connor McGrath (2), Alex Morozoff, Matthew Perkins, Alec Saretzky
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 24 saves on 24 shots; Brett Sweet, Kindersley, 24 on 32
Attendance: 554
Notes: McGrath recorded five points, while Koran had four points. Humboldt led 4-0 and 6-0 at the intermissions.
Friday, Dec. 17 in Wilcox
Humboldt 5, Notre Dame 3
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran (2), Connor McGrath, Matthew Perkins, Lucas Ceccarelli
Hounds Scorers: Landon Peterson, Connor Nolan, Dane Probe
Goalies: William Dyke, Humboldt, 22 saves on 25 shots; Ryley Osland, Notre Dame, 33 on 38
Attendance: 199
Notes: After a 1-1 first period, Humboldt outscored the Hounds 2-1 in the second to take a 3-2 lead. Early in the third, Notre Dame tied the game at 3-3. Humboldt scored twice to earn the victories.
Saturday, Dec. 18 in Humboldt
Humboldt 7, Battlefords 1
Broncos Scorers: Alex Morozoff (3), Braiden Koran, Ethan Zielke, Cage Newans, Connor McGrath
North Stars Scorer: Holden Doell
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 32 saves on 33 shots; Michael Harroch, Battlefords, 20 on 27; Lowen Kenyon, Battlefords, 7 on 7
Notes: The Broncos galloped out to a 2-0 first period lead and were up 5-0 in the second when Battlefords scored its lone goal. Humboldt led 7-1 at the second intermission. Nineteen penalties were handed out in the third period. For the game, Humboldt had 19 infractions for 86 minutes. Battlefords was assessed 17 penalties for 53 minutes.
The Quote
“The team’s focus headed into the new year is just to continue to build and build as a team, continue to play with pace every shift, just try to be consistent from shift to shift and period to period, and try to have fewer letdowns throughout the game. The biggest thing is to continue to build confidence in each other as we head towards the playoffs.”
— Broncos head coach Scott Barney
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (27-8-0-0) jump back into action with three games this week. They are in Melville (10-15-7-0) on Tuesday before hosting Battlefords (19-9-4-1) on Saturday and the Millionaires Sunday. On Jan. 11, the Noter Dame Hounds (14-14-2-1) visit to wrap up a three-game Broncos homestand.
