by Justin Feil, the Packet Media Group
Every once in a while, there comes along a player good enough to change the rules.
Ross Colton was that way for the Princeton Day School boys ice hockey team.
PDS head coach Scott Bertoli encourages puck possession and not taking big risks, but he did not want to hold back the dynamic side of his sophomore center.
”He’s a natural scorer,” Bertoli said. “It’s really the things on the rush that set him apart. He wants to attack and beat people. I don’t encourage that type of play, but with him you have to.
”I tell them not to play 1-on-1, and usually you’re not going to beat people. He scored some huge goals for us because he beat people 1-on-1. You’re on the bench, and you’re in awe of some of the things he’s pulled off.”
Bertoli knew he had something special when Colton and his older brother, Rob who was a senior this year, came from Robbinsville last year. In his second season in the program, Colton was even better.
”This year, I thought it was not easier,” Colton said, “but I felt more comfortable. In the offseason, I worked to get bigger. I got the chance to work on a line with my brother and Connor Bitterman, and I thought it helped my game. We all played a different role on the line. And we all had great chemistry.”
Colton’s role was pretty simple as he saw it. He just had to play his game.
”When we need goals, get those goals and play well in the defensive zone and block shots,” Colton said. “Most of our goals were on the power play, so when I was out on the power play, do what I could to get us that goal.”
Colton delivered over and over for the Panthers, who enjoyed one of their best seasons in program history. In 25 games, Colton scored 25 goals and had 22 assists as PDS finished 21-3-1 and won a share of the Prep B state championship, their second title in four seasons.
”In both years, he’s been very skillful,” Bertoli said. “Every time he was on the ice, he was a threat to score and every time he was on the ice, he wanted to score. He was fortunate to have the mindset and the skill level to match that. Every time he’s on the ice, he believes he can score.
”He can attack in so many ways. He’s very adept at skating through the middle of the rink and beating people. He’s tenacious on the forecheck. He can keep the puck down low. He makes defensemen miss. He’s something we haven’t seen there in a long, long time. He also makes his linemates better and makes us a better team. He played more than anyone this year. He was a critical part of our success.”
’”He was willing to win the battles that he engaged in,” Bertoli said. “He could create more separation. And the biggest thing was his willingness to play at both ends of the rink. A lot of times guys only want to play offense. There was a drastic improvement there. That had a lot to do with the older kids on the team. They play the right way.
”I forget our exact goal differential, but it was substantial,” he added. “As much as you want a few guys to score, you have to take pride in playing defense and that was great to see.”
Colton noticed a change this year as well. By building his strength and speed, he is taking steps to play at a higher level.
”I grew in the offseason, and I felt like my confidence level grew,” Colton said. “And playing with those guys, I felt it raised my game as well.”
Colton has been playing much the same way since he started to fall in love with the game. He has developed into the rare player that can still beat opponents 1-on-1, and his style hasn’t changed as he grew up playing with the Mercer Chiefs, coached by former PDS head coach Chris Barcless, and now with the AAA New Jersey Rockets.
”I like to come down the wing with speed and get a shot off or get a rebound to whoever is driving the net,” Colton said. “I want to keep the puck in the offensive zone. As long as I’m not turning the puck over on the blue line, it’s OK (to attack 1-on-1).”
Colton enjoyed what could be his final season playing together with his older brother. They enjoyed two years together at PDS, and it helped Colton to have his older brother there as he transitioned into high school.
”He’s always someone to look up to,” Colton said. “Being on the ice with him, we always have each other’s back. The chemistry we have on the ice, it’s good. Being the younger brother, I feel a lot more safe out there.”
Both also play baseball, but hockey has been Ross’s first love. It is something that he has shared with his brother.
”Growing up,” Colton said, “my dad never played hockey, and me and Rob grew up watching the New Jersey Devils. That was our team. I remember growing up and playing street hockey and roller hockey, going to early games together. It’s awesome playing together and playing at such a high level and playing travel and all the places I’ve been to. To be considered to play college hockey, which is the main goal, it’d be awesome.”
When the brothers came together, Rob deciding to come with Ross when the younger was admitted to the school, it gave the Panthers’ offense an instant boost. With another season of high school, Colton was an even bigger part of the PDS team.
”Ross has got a little edge to the game,” Bertoli said. “You want to see that. It’s not always going to be easy. You’re not always going to be on the score sheet, but you have to help the team. As he gets older, he’ll get better and better at doing that. For two years now, he’s scored a goal a game.
Even in a season with so many achievements, Colton wasn’t satisfied. He remembers the disappointments as much as the wins. The Panthers wanted an outright win over Morristown-Beard, not to share the prep championship, they wanted to beat Lawrenceville, and they wanted to finish the year with a win over Hill in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey Invitational.
”You remember the tough times,” Colton said, “but not the good ones.”
But there were a lot of good times to remember as well. Colton will cherish the road trips the Panthers took and all of the 21 games that they won and the bonds formed over two years.
”If you told us we’d go 21-3-1, I don’t think I’d believe you,” Colton said. “The fact we had such a great season, and you’re able to do it with your friends, it’s just awesome.”
Colton will be one of the veteran leaders if he returns to PDS next year. With school and the commitments to two good hockey teams, balancing everything has been a lot and Colton could end up matriculating to a New England prep school to close his high school career. And with two years of high school still left, he is developing into a player with big-time potential.
