by Samantha Barlow | AHL On The Beat
Longevity in any league is the dream for {most professional} athletes. For Cleveland Monsters left wing Roman Ahcan, that hasn’t simply been a dream, it’s changing into a actuality.
Contemporary out of the College of Wisconsin in 2022, Ahcan was given the chance to play for the Monsters on knowledgeable tryout contract. Now he’s in his fourth full season with the franchise, and the 26-year-old Minnesota native’s impression is felt on and off the ice whereas his time with the group has allowed him to turn out to be a family title round Northeast Ohio – a indisputable fact that he doesn’t take flippantly.
“I feel with simply being right here for 4 years, your title and your face get introduced up increasingly more,” Ahcan mentioned. “It’s my job to have a constructive impression on what individuals take into consideration me.”
All through his profession, Ahcan has positioned an emphasis on sustaining an optimistic mindset and discovering time out and in of the season to reset and keep centered. His favourite manner to try this? Being out in nature.
“I prefer to go fishing, hunt, sort of get my thoughts off issues that manner… getting out within the wilderness and getting away from the rink for slightly bit. I feel that’s vital. Being knowledgeable is about having that stability.”
Understanding the ins and outs of a system creates alternatives to settle right into a rhythm and to seek out that semblance of stability in life and in sport.
“It’s not assured that you simply’re going to have the ability to name a spot house like this,” Ahcan mentioned. “I’m grateful for that chance and I feel that it’s been good for me as a result of I do know what I’m entering into each single day.”
Being a long-term member of the staff additionally permits Ahcan to be a grounding pressure for the newer gamers that enter the franchise every season. To emulate his personal rookie expertise for incoming gamers, Ahcan makes efforts to guide by instance.
“Present up daily with mindset – a constructive mindset. Don’t be an vitality vampire,” Ahcan mentioned. “Construct individuals up round you. That’s what makes me smile on the finish of the day. Realizing I can are available in and simply give my all and everybody else goes to comply with me understanding that’s what I’m going to do daily.”
Ahcan has remained constant in his time with the group, permitting himself to quietly make his manner into the Monsters franchise document books. Presently at quantity six all-time in video games performed with the group and making his manner in the direction of the highest 10 all-time in targets scored, Ahcan is in good firm with former Monsters gamers, a number of of whom have performed a component in his growth.
“There’s a number of good hockey gamers which have performed for this group,” he mentioned. “It’s an honor to be with a few of these guys on the checklist and a number of these guys bought me to the place I’m right this moment. I’ve needed to work from being a rookie… and discovering my manner via this league. They did so much to assist me get right here.”
Veterans have at all times been a guiding gentle for rookies as they enter and develop in a league. Ahcan’s story from rookie to veteran isn’t any totally different, and he offers a number of credit score to the gamers that got here earlier than him for the impression that they had on his private growth.
“You look to the franchise leaders like Trey (Repair-Wolansky). He was already in his second 12 months with the Monsters so he sort of knew the ropes and what goes round,” mentioned Ahcan. “Brett Gallant – he was one other man that sort of took me beneath his wing. He was an enormous a part of making me really feel comfy and having the ability to present up daily and compete.”
Now Ahcan hopes to be an identical determine for the youthful guys, taking satisfaction within the alternative to guide by instance. In a league that focuses closely on growth and subsequent steps, Ahcan gives a perspective that promotes a gift and centered mentality among the many group.
“The way in which I convey myself to the rink daily and I compete… I can present them what it takes to be a long-time participant on this league and to be efficient,” mentioned Ahcan. “If I can no less than try this, it is going to be good for them to look as much as me and see that I’m dedicated to getting higher and making them higher, too.”
Ahcan’s introspection and appreciation for his journey has been elemental in making him a well-rounded and efficient teammate on and off the ice.
“Rise up daily and need to go to the rink and need to have enjoyable and need to get higher and need to be a greater teammate – that’s what retains me going. On the finish of the 12 months while you look again on it, it’s fairly particular to know you gave your all and wherever the chips land, they land.”
Consistency stays the important thing, even within the face of adversity, and for Ahcan mindset is every little thing when navigating a 72-game season. Whatever the numbers within the wins and loss columns, he acknowledges the rareness of his profession trajectory and brings unmatched vitality to the Cleveland Monsters roster each season.
As Monsters followers tune on this season, they’ll need to regulate this steadfast chief as he continues to make an impression on the group and inside Northeast Ohio.
