Kitchener Rangers goalie sits atop the league

Jackson Parsons hits the ice for practice with the Kitchener Rangers on Dec. 11, 2024. (Ashley Bacon/CTV News)

A member of the Kitchener Rangers has risen to the top of league in his sign-off season.

Goalie Jackson Parsons has been a stalwart force week-over-week, but he said it’s all about taking it one shot at a time.

On Monday, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) named Jackson Parsons the Goaltender of the Week. It’s the third time this season he has earned the title.

“All the credit goes to the guys in front of me,” Parsons humbly told CTV News on Wednesday.

It’s a well-earned accolade as the 20-year-old currently has a .929 save percentage and leads the league in shutouts.

“There’s been a lot of ups and downs, and I think all of the adversity he’s went through [throughout] his whole career, we’re seeing it pay dividends now. No matter the situation we’re in, he’s experienced in everything there is to see in the league now. There’s just a lot of confidence in his game,” Jordan DeKort, the Kitchener’s Rangers director of goaltending, said.

Jackson Parsons participated in a CTV News interview on Dec. 11, 2024. (Ashley Bacon/CTV News)

Parsons has been with the Rangers since 2020 and he said all the work he’s put in over the last four seasons had led to this moment.

“It’s obviously just enjoying my overage season and teaching the young guys what it means to be a Kitchener Ranger,” he said.

For team captain Matthew Andonovski, Parsons’ leadership skills and work ethic can’t be denied.

“He pushes the guys, whether he’s in the gym or on the ice, to get everything out of the day,” Andonovski said. “He’s always here first, here last to ride the bike so he pushes a lot of guys to make sure they do the cooldown and [have] a pro mentality.”

When it comes time to hit the ice, the Rangers know the netminder is ready to command the crease and give them the boost they need.

“He’s been a brick wall for us,” Andonovski said. “He’s given our group a lot of confidence to be able to make plays night-in and night-out. I think that’s contributed to a lot of our success on the offensive side.”

For the coaching staff, Parson’s dedication is paying off.

“He’s just so confident in his reads and decision making that it’s just all starting to come together right at the perfect time, which is great for us and great for the team,” DeKort said.

The Rangers are currently on a 6 game winning streak. Two of those games have been shut outs.

“Our guys are so good. Our [defence] and our [penalty killers] have been a huge help to me, obviously,” Parson said. “The forwards are chipper and [play] defensively as well, which is awesome. We’ve got a really good group here and we all gel. We’re excited to make some noise in the playoffs.”

For now, the netminder is focused on finishing his final season with the Rangers, but he has big plans as he prepares to make his debut in the NCAA next season as part of the Clarkson University team.

“My personal goal is obviously to get an entry level contract with an NHL team. That’s the dream. That’s what all this work is for,” Parsons said.

The 2024-2025 OHL season is nearing the halfway point.

Next up, the Rangers will take on the Kingston Frontenacs at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday before they head to Canada Life Place to take on their 401 rivals, the London Knights.