TORONTO – Ryan Dugas is a well-mannered, soft spoken individual whose politeness is clear in any small encounter. Passing in the hallway or when sitting on the bench he's rarely seen without a smile. For some, it may come as a surprise when they learn Ryan Dugas is a goalie, if they know anything about the position's reputation. Ask anybody who's played hockey and you'll hear stories of goalies. Dugas believes in the old adage that goalies are the weirdest guys on the team, but mostly because of what the position requires.

"I definitely agree that goalies are weird. I've definitely had some weird goalie partners in my career," said Dugas. "I like to think I'm pretty normal. I think voluntarily getting hit with pucks is kind of crazy so I do think you need a little bit of that to be a goalie."

It just so happens that Ryan Dugas is very good at getting hit with pucks. Last season he sported a .937 save percentage with a perfect 4-0 record for the Bold, serving as the back-up on the team's run to an OUA silver medal. This season he's off to another hot start, sporting a nearly identical save percentage. This recent performance has been one of the best in Dugas' career, which includes a stint in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs.

His path to the Bold, like many of his teammates, was non-linear. He picked up goaltending by following in his brother Dylan's footsteps who he "wanted to be like more than anyone else in the world". After a strong minor hockey career, he was drafted by Kingston in the fourth round of the OHL draft. He suited up for 47 games with the Frontenacs from 2018-2020, but struggled in major junior. The 2020-21 CHL season was canceled , which meant that Dugas lost a year of development and a chance to bounce back. He was sent down to the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) the following season.

During the 2021-22 OJHL season, which he spent with the Milton Menace, Dugas had a renaissance. He authored a .934 save percentage and sparkling 1.88 goals against average, finishing with an 11-2-1 record. It was his strong performance that caught the eye of head coach Johnny Duco and the TMU Bold.

"It's kind of hard not to commit to a place that has dedicated so much to the development and their hockey program," said Dugas.

Since arriving on campus Dugas has found his niche in one of sport's most unique roles, the backup goalie. Like the back-up quarterback, a backup goalie is often thrown in at a moment's notice, and typically will find most of their playing time when the team is in need of a hero. They are also important "glue guys" that keep morale up. It makes sense why Dugas is well-suited for the role.

"Whenever I get the opportunity to play I'm hoping to step up and take advantage of that and try to do what I can to get the team wins," said Dugas. "But day-in and day-out I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and make sure everyone is doing well."

This mindset  has served both Dugas and the Bold well so far. The OUA silver was the team's best finish in conference play since 1963. Dugas himself has recorded two shutouts in his nine starts with the Bold, leading to a  .926 career save percentage in his OUA career. He credits practice and mentality as the key factors in being able to perform well in spot starts.

"Treating practice almost like games when you feel like you're not going to be playing for a while," said Dugas "It's also a big mental thing. I can only control what I can control."

"I might not be playing but I can still have an impact on the team," he added. "Whether it's making sure Kai (Edmonds) has what he needs or is in a good mental spot."

The camaraderie with his teammates is what keeps Dugas in the game. While there was a time when hockey was just about playing the game, now his focus is on the moments he has with the people he spends most of his time with, people with a similar path to his.

"When you're in the net, you're not doing it for yourself. The only thing that matters is that we win. Waking up in the morning is tough, but once you're at the rink and around the guys it's always fun," he added. "When I'm at work for 10 hours it feels like a million, but when you're at the rink it feels like half an hour."

"I don't think about why I'm doing it, why wouldn't I be?"

The world of Canadian collegiate hockey isn't glamorous. Most players aren't headed for professional hockey. Canadian collegiate hockey's value comes from the experience and education the student athlete's receive. In the face of amateurism's death in sports, players like Ryan Dugas help keep the focus on what matters in team sports.

Being a good goalie requires perspective. The ability to analyze which threats are important, which are not, and position yourself accordingly. Both on and off the ice, Ryan Dugas has a strong sense of what's important and what isn't. It's this skill that makes him both a good teammate and goalie. When asked about how COVID-19 affected his development, and the mental hurdle it was to think about what could have been, Dugas' response demonstrates his demeanor.

"It was definitely tough," he started. "Me missing my 19-year-old season in the OHL was tough but it was nothing compared to what other people were going through. In the grand scheme of things it's not so bad getting your degree."

Dugas hasn't made any plans for his post-playing days yet, but knows that sports will always be a large part of his life. Right now Dugas is enjoying what remains of his high-level hockey career, and being the back-up for the teammates he calls brothers.