By: Annie Nadin
For most athletes, the path to professional hockey is straightforward.
For Jake Ratzlaff, it has been anything but.
Growing up in Rosemount, Minn., Ratzlaff played hockey, football and baseball, continuing all three sports deep into his high school career.
He played baseball and football through his senior year, while hockey ended after his junior season following shoulder surgery that kept him out for his final campaign. Still, his multi-sport background continued to shape his athletic career.
His parents never forced him to choose one sport.
“They were just super supportive,” Ratzlaff smiled.
“They were also kind of helpful, like okay, here’s what to expect. If you go the hockey route, things are going to be set up good for you. If you go the football route, maybe it’ll be a little different with the amount of players. You could still do it.”
Ratzlaff eventually committed to the University of Wisconsin to play football, but hockey remained a part of his life. He continued skating with the Wisconsin hockey team during the summers, and after suffering tears in both hips, he found himself missing the game more than he expected.
“I missed hockey quite a bit,” he said. “I saw them go to prospects camp, I saw everyone going to prospect camp, I saw everyone in college hockey, all my buddies, and I kind of missed it.”
While recovering, Ratzlaff spent time coaching hockey and football and continued skating.
“I was on the ice all the time.
“So I was like, yeah, man, this is so fun. And I thought to myself oh I still got it. I think I could still play,” laughed Ratzlaff.
With help from Wisconsin coach Tony Granato and his agent, Ratzlaff began working toward a return to hockey. He played seven games with the USHL’s Madison Capitols before another injury interrupted his comeback.
The setback ultimately led to another opportunity.
Ratzlaff caught the attention of a St. Thomas coach and eventually joined the Tommies, playing Division I hockey for two seasons.
The unconventional journey had taken him from Big Ten football to USHL hockey and eventually Division I hockey, experiences that Ratzlaff believes have helped shape him both on and off the ice.
“I think being a multisport athlete is good,” he explained.
“Relationship-wise, being able to talk to people, being able to build those relationships off the ice and on the ice, I think just going through so much, I have a great appreciation for the game now.”
Those experiences have also helped him navigate different environments and connect with different types of teammates.
“Football guys aren’t the same as hockey guys, hockey guys aren’t the same as baseball guys,” Ratzlaff said. “So it allows you to build all these really good relationships and connections.”
Now, after years of injuries and time away from the game, Ratzlaff has signed with the Rapid City Rush and is now trying out with the Wranglers.
For him, simply having the opportunity to continue playing means something.
“I really love hockey,” said Ratzlaff.
“Even if the day is not as good on the ice, I’m still super, super thankful I get to play this game, especially after all the injuries, after everything that I’ve been through.”
That gratitude continues to drive his ambition.
“I’m still pushing to keep getting better and keep getting after it because I missed a lot of years of development and I missed a lot of games, the games are important.”
After taking an unconventional route to the professional game, Ratzlaff is ready to make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
