“I enjoy playing in Berwick,” he said Dec. 14. “It’s a different experience for me. I love the small community, and the family I’m living with (in Kentville).”
Since Blade Mann-Dixon was called up to Moncton of the QMJHL, Huestis has taken over as the number-one goalie for the Wildcats.
Huestis, 18, grew up in Wellington, Halifax County, and played his minor hockey in Bedford.
“I started skating when I was about three, and I’ve played hockey since I was five.”
He started playing goal at age six or seven.
“Our team didn’t have a regular goalie, so we all rotated. When it came my turn, I realized I liked it, and I’ve been a goalie ever since.”
Passion for the game
Huestis played his first year of midget in Bedford midget AAA. The following year, he played opted to play for Lockview High and didn’t affiliate with a team.
“I chose high school because a lot of my friends were on the team,” he explained.
His final year in midget, Huestis played midget AAA with the Cole Harbour Wolfpack.
“They told me if I would come and play, I had a spot and wouldn’t have to try out.”
He ended up the NSMMHL’s top goalie with a 2.29 goals against average and was named to the league’s first all-star team.
That same year, the Halifax Mooseheads signed him as a free agent.
“I’ve played a couple of games for them, and I’m still on their roster as their third goalie – kind of an alternate, like Blade was with Saint John, and then Moncton,” he explained.
The Valley junior Wildcats drafted Huestis in 2014. He attended the Wildcats’ camp, and although he ended up being cut, he remained Valley property.
“Last year, I came to camp for the experience, and did OK. This year, I tried out and made the team. I knew there was a good possibility, but you can never be sure,” he said.
“Then, when Blade was called up, I stepped up and I’ve been trying to fill his shoes, trying to do the best I can to help the team win.”
Both Huestis and Wildcats’ coach and GM Nick Greenough are aware he could be called up to the Mooseheads any time, as Mann-Dixon was to Moncton.
“The (QMJHL) trade deadline is coming right up. They have a 20-year-old goalie they may decide to trade, or they might end up trading my rights instead. Right now, my goal is to play the best I can, wherever I’m playing.”
In the MHL
“It’s a really close league. Our division is really competitive, and the other division is really powerful,” he said.
“Every game is important, so we need to take it one game at a time to reach our goal, which is playing for the Fred Page Cup in Woodstock at the end of the season.”
The Wildcats, he said, have done well in their division – “we’ve beaten each of the teams at least once,” Huestis says – and held their own against the other division.
“For anyone who doesn’t know about our league, it’s very competitive and fun to watch. Every game is likely to be a good game” from a fan’s perspective.
One reason Huestis likes playing with the Wildcats is Greenough, and in particular the team he has assembled.
“On paper, we have one of the best, if not the best, teams in the league. We need to prove ourselves, and that’s well underway. Our defence is great, probably the best in the league,” he said, and that’s always a plus for a goalie.
“I want to play well for Nick,” he said. “Not only is he a great coach – he has our back, the same as we have his – he has some great connections, and he may be able to help me reach the next level.”
Looking ahead
As for the future, Huestis acknowledged he has goals.
“Right now, it’s about trying to finish this season as strong as possible,” he said.
Next year, he would “like to get a shot at making it to the next level, either in the Q or in Ontario. If that doesn’t work out, I’d be more than happy to come back here. It’s a great place to play, and it’s not that far from home for my parents to come.”
When he is done his junior career he’d like to play university hockey. He is currently attending Kingstec, studying business part-time because of his hockey commitments.”
“I’m looking to see wherever hockey takes me,” he said. “I’m happy to be able to take some classes, stay busy” and keep his hand in educationally.
“I want to get to the next level, and be able to say I improved every year,” he adds. If a major junior career isn’t in the cards, “I’ll be happy with wherever I end up, as long as I get to play.”
Did you know?
Ryan Huestis joined the Valley junior Wildcats with some pretty impressive credentials. In his final year in midget with Cole Harbour, he was the NSMMHL’s top goalie with a 2.24 goals against average, a 16-7 record, three shutouts and just 51 goals allowed on 681 shots in just over 1,367 minutes played. He earned both the NSMMHL Top Goalie Award and a first-team all-star selection. So far this season, he has a 2.86 goals against average and a .911 save percentage in 10 games.
“I enjoy playing in Berwick,” he said Dec. 14. “It’s a different experience for me. I love the small community, and the family I’m living with (in Kentville).”
Since Blade Mann-Dixon was called up to Moncton of the QMJHL, Huestis has taken over as the number-one goalie for the Wildcats.
Huestis, 18, grew up in Wellington, Halifax County, and played his minor hockey in Bedford.
“I started skating when I was about three, and I’ve played hockey since I was five.”
He started playing goal at age six or seven.
“Our team didn’t have a regular goalie, so we all rotated. When it came my turn, I realized I liked it, and I’ve been a goalie ever since.”
Passion for the game
Huestis played his first year of midget in Bedford midget AAA. The following year, he played opted to play for Lockview High and didn’t affiliate with a team.
“I chose high school because a lot of my friends were on the team,” he explained.
His final year in midget, Huestis played midget AAA with the Cole Harbour Wolfpack.
“They told me if I would come and play, I had a spot and wouldn’t have to try out.”
He ended up the NSMMHL’s top goalie with a 2.29 goals against average and was named to the league’s first all-star team.
That same year, the Halifax Mooseheads signed him as a free agent.
“I’ve played a couple of games for them, and I’m still on their roster as their third goalie – kind of an alternate, like Blade was with Saint John, and then Moncton,” he explained.
The Valley junior Wildcats drafted Huestis in 2014. He attended the Wildcats’ camp, and although he ended up being cut, he remained Valley property.
“Last year, I came to camp for the experience, and did OK. This year, I tried out and made the team. I knew there was a good possibility, but you can never be sure,” he said.
“Then, when Blade was called up, I stepped up and I’ve been trying to fill his shoes, trying to do the best I can to help the team win.”
Both Huestis and Wildcats’ coach and GM Nick Greenough are aware he could be called up to the Mooseheads any time, as Mann-Dixon was to Moncton.
“The (QMJHL) trade deadline is coming right up. They have a 20-year-old goalie they may decide to trade, or they might end up trading my rights instead. Right now, my goal is to play the best I can, wherever I’m playing.”
In the MHL
“It’s a really close league. Our division is really competitive, and the other division is really powerful,” he said.
“Every game is important, so we need to take it one game at a time to reach our goal, which is playing for the Fred Page Cup in Woodstock at the end of the season.”
The Wildcats, he said, have done well in their division – “we’ve beaten each of the teams at least once,” Huestis says – and held their own against the other division.
“For anyone who doesn’t know about our league, it’s very competitive and fun to watch. Every game is likely to be a good game” from a fan’s perspective.
One reason Huestis likes playing with the Wildcats is Greenough, and in particular the team he has assembled.
“On paper, we have one of the best, if not the best, teams in the league. We need to prove ourselves, and that’s well underway. Our defence is great, probably the best in the league,” he said, and that’s always a plus for a goalie.
“I want to play well for Nick,” he said. “Not only is he a great coach – he has our back, the same as we have his – he has some great connections, and he may be able to help me reach the next level.”
Looking ahead
As for the future, Huestis acknowledged he has goals.
“Right now, it’s about trying to finish this season as strong as possible,” he said.
Next year, he would “like to get a shot at making it to the next level, either in the Q or in Ontario. If that doesn’t work out, I’d be more than happy to come back here. It’s a great place to play, and it’s not that far from home for my parents to come.”
When he is done his junior career he’d like to play university hockey. He is currently attending Kingstec, studying business part-time because of his hockey commitments.”
“I’m looking to see wherever hockey takes me,” he said. “I’m happy to be able to take some classes, stay busy” and keep his hand in educationally.
“I want to get to the next level, and be able to say I improved every year,” he adds. If a major junior career isn’t in the cards, “I’ll be happy with wherever I end up, as long as I get to play.”
Did you know?
Ryan Huestis joined the Valley junior Wildcats with some pretty impressive credentials. In his final year in midget with Cole Harbour, he was the NSMMHL’s top goalie with a 2.24 goals against average, a 16-7 record, three shutouts and just 51 goals allowed on 681 shots in just over 1,367 minutes played. He earned both the NSMMHL Top Goalie Award and a first-team all-star selection. So far this season, he has a 2.86 goals against average and a .911 save percentage in 10 games.
