Jakob Ducklow '25 Recruiting Profile

    Winning the 2025 Colorado State CHSAA 4A Championship was the highlight of my high school hockey career! Only allowing 4 goals for the entire playoff series and getting the first shutout in playoff Steamboat history. I had a 95.1 SV% and 1.32 GAA. 

My career started playing pond hockey on Evergreen Lake under the lights on a cold winter's nights is where my hockey journey began. The greatest memory of any hockey player’s childhood will always be someone calling out "Sticks in!" and everyone throwing their hockey stick in the pile in the cracked frozen lake. After everyone is done shoveling the snow from the ice, one kid gets down on their knees and closes their eyes and tosses sticks left and right to choose teams. At that point you know it's going to be a great night. At the age of eight, I asked Santa for my first set of goalie pads, a request that marked the beginning of my lifelong determination to become a hockey goaltender. Little did I know, this journey would shape not only my skills on the ice but also my character off it. Ice hockey, and particularly the role of a goaltender, comes with unique challenges—from the intense pressure of being the last line of defense to the isolation that can come with being one of a kind on the team. These experiences have taught me resilience, determination, and self-confidence, qualities that I carry with me into all aspects of my life.

    Hockey is a sport filled with politics, and the world of goaltending is no exception. Unlike skaters, there is only one crease to fill, meaning opportunities are limited, and competition is fierce. Every tryout and every game is a proving ground. I have played for many teams growing up. Once I even played for two opposing teams at during the same season as an opposing team had lost their goaltender for the season. My goalie partner and I split games with the other team so they could all continue playing hockey. Each experience and new team required me to adapt quickly to new teammates, new coaching styles, and new challenges. Yet, no moment tested my strength and confidence more than changing high schools before my freshman year.

    Walking into a new locker room filled with strangers—many of whom had been on the opposing side in previous games—was daunting. I knew no one, yet I had to establish myself as part of the team. With a mix of nerves and determination, I introduced myself by saying, "They call me Duck, and I am your new goalie." It was a defining moment for me. I had to prove myself not only as an athlete but also as a teammate. By the end of the season, I had earned the respect of my teammates and what would become my lifelong friends. This achievement was not just about skill but about the perseverance and mental toughness required to earn the trust and respect of my peers.

    The mental side of goaltending is as challenging as the physical. The position is inherently isolating. A goalie’s mistakes are glaring, and their successes often go unnoticed. Over the years, I’ve learned how to handle the immense pressure, silence the self-doubt, and channel my focus into performing at my best. This mental flexibility has been invaluable, not only in hockey but in my life as a whole. It has taught me to face challenges head-on, to remain composed under pressure, and to continually strive for improvement.

    Despite the hurdles, being a goaltender has brought me immense joy and pride. It has allowed me to develop a unique perspective on teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Hockey has given me lifelong friendships and countless lessons that extend far beyond the rink. Each save, each setback, and each victory has contributed to the person I am today.

    My journey as a goaltender is about more than the games I’ve played or the teams I’ve joined. It’s about the perseverance to overcome challenges, the confidence to walk into new situations and say, “I belong here,” and the strength to rise above the isolating moments of the position. These experiences have shaped me into someone who thrives in the face of adversity, someone who values hard work and determination, and someone who is ready to embrace new opportunities with the same resilience I’ve shown on the ice.