Mitch Ferras, who is currently playing for the Ayr Centennial’s of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), continues to relish his time on the team since debuting with them in 2022-23 season.
However, his love of game started when he was around three-years-old, while growing up in Brantford.
“My parents got me into the game. I played house league, minor midget and major midget all the way through in Brantford. It was a really good time [where] I had made lots of friends and made some great memories. Overall, I am very grateful to have met so many great people during that time while having fun playing the game I love,” said Ferras.
One of Ferras’ early highlights was being part of a tournament outside Ontario.
“Our team went to a Quebec peewee tournament. Unfortunately, I broke my femur that year, so I couldn’t play, but I still traveled with the team and supported them from the bench…aside the injury, the tournament was a great memory…one that I will always remember,” he recalled.
After major midget, Ferras went to Junior A and Junior B hockey, playing on few teams before landing with the Ayr Centennials.
“I played one year in Caledonia for the Corvairs, and that was a good year. I learned a lot and it gave me a chance to experience what the next level is and what I have to do to get better. I then went to play for the Pickering Panthers in Junior A, and played there for half a season. Although it wasn’t the right fit for me, I still learned a lot…[then] halfway through that year, one of my friends called me up. He was playing for the Ayr Centennials in the Junior B, and asked me if I was interested in trying out for the team, and so I took him up on that,” he recalled. “I have played here ever since…for close to three years now…it’s been the best team I’ve ever played for. The coaches have been great and the players that I’ve met have become really good friends. They’ve helped me become a better player, and I’ve just learned a lot there, and extremely grateful for it.”
As Ferras continues to thrive on the Centennials, he and the team are looking to build upon some success they had last year, winning four-games-to-two against the Waterloo-Kitchener Siskins.
“Just last year we had our first playoff series win, which was huge. [Game six] went into three overtimes. And in the third overtime, we scored. So that’s definitely a highlight for me. This year we’re a more experienced team and we’re looking to go deep in the playoffs, and I’m hoping to end my junior career by winning the Sutherland Cup with this team,” Ferras saiod.
Nevertheless, Ferras detailed some of his biggest influences during his hockey career.
“I have to say it has always been my dad. He brought me into the game and taught me everything that I’ve learned…and for a coach, it’s definitely Scott Rex. He was my minor midget coach, and he’s also made me the player I am today. I’m still very close with him, and we keep in touch,” said Ferras.
Along with playing for the Centennials, Ferras has been attending University of Guelph part-time with a goal of getting a degree next year.
“This is my last junior year, so I’m hoping to play at the university level and making a team and continue my hockey career there while getting a good education. I’m in the process of putting my name out there and just seeing who’s interested…and finding what’s a good fit for me,” he explained. “I want to get into business or sports management and getting a good degree. At the same time, I want to continue playing hockey [and] I believe, I can still play at the next level past University and hopefully getting to play pro.”
However, he continues to maintain a goal in excelling on the ice as well as enjoying his role as a veteran leader on the team.
“Hockey has taught me how to be a leader [and now] being part of the leadership group this year has been an honour…and I let the younger players know that I’m here for them [and] they can come talk to me and I can help them out. I’m just trying to be someone they look up to [and] hopefully help them become better in their careers, and they can do the same thing going forward,” Ferras said.
Ferras, along with the team, has also gone through some adversity with the loss of one of their players, Eli Palfreyman in 2022
“Eli means a lot to our organization…he was a guy who lit up the room, even just from knowing him and everything I’ve heard about him. We still honor him during every game [and the way we] play our game,” explained Ferras. “Our goal at the start of this year has been to win the Sutherland and to win it for him. We still have four returning guys that played with him, so it still means a lot, and his family still comes to the games. So, to lift the Sutherland at the end of the year would be very special and a way to honour his memory.”
However, another highlight for Ferras during his time with the Centennials has been the fans and how supportive the community has been.
“They’re the best…they come to all of our home games on Thursday. And the rink is always packed [with the fans] cheering us on. When we do community events the kids are always wanting autographs, and its great how they look up to us,” he reflected. “We just want to give them our all, because they truly are the best fans, and are always supporting us [during] our ups and downs and we’re always looking to win for them.”
Along with his goal of getting a university degree, Ferras’ other goal is to continue to play hockey at a higher level.
“Hockey’s been my main passion ever since I was a kid and I believe I put a lot of work into getting better. I know I can keep playing and pursuing it because of my work ethic…hopefully, when I get into a university program, I will get on a team, and then have a good education [while] I keep improving my game, and keep putting the work in [and eventually] giving a chance to play pro,” he said.
