Since joining the Bemidji State Beavers three years ago, Rossland’s Ross Armour has been focused on developing into a well-rounded player.
Armour, who spent a season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in 2014-15, says his time with Bemidji State has been great because of the coaching staff and players.
Armour has been working to become a strong 200-foot player.
“Especially in college, it’s a way different animal than playing in juniors,” said Armour, during a Zoom interview. “You just got to be able to play 200-feet and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
In 63 regular season and playoff games with the Nitehawks, Armour put up 18 goals and 71 points. He made the jump to the B.C. Hockey League, staying in his hometown, to play with the Smoke Eaters. In 145 regular season games, he scored 45 goals and had 139 points. In 26 playoff games, he added 23 points.
With a strong hockey IQ, Armour considers himself a playmaker that tries to chip in offensively. With opponents being stronger, it makes them harder to play against, plus everyone manages the puck better.
“It’s really hard to find offence, but you just have to dig deep and work your hardest,” said Armour, who in 89 career games with the Beavers has 27 points.
Armour says he’s still the same player, but he’s focused on getting better everyday and doing the little things right.
“I’ve been playing well. Our team has been playing well,” he said. “It’s always nice having a good team and chipping in offensively as much as I can.”
As of March 16, the Beavers improved to No.12 in the USCHO.com NCAA Division I national poll.
“Right now our goal is to win the WCHA,” said Armour, as the Beavers advanced to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s semifinal game for the third consecutive season following their win over Michigan Tech.
sports@trailtimes.ca
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