This Week’s Athlete of the Week is Crookston Pirate Boy’s Hockey player Jaren Bailey. The senior has been the starting goaltender for the Pirates since his freshman season, and ended up making 1,672 career saves at the varsity level. It can’t be determined for sure if that is a school record as they don’t have numbers from the early 90s or before, however, there is nobody anywhere near Bailey’s 1,672 in recent memory, so it’s not a stretch to assume he more than likely does hold the record or at the very least is close to it.
Bailey’s story is unique in that he didn’t start playing hockey until his 6th Grade year. His Head Coach for the past several years Josh Hardy, says of all the kids he’s seen pick up the sport late, none have been able to do what Jaren has. “I’ve seen kids start late, even at goalie, over the years, but none have been as successful as Jaren has,” said coach Hardy. “He’s very athletic and works extremely hard so I think he would be successful at any sport he tried, but I’m thankful that it was hockey because he’s been the backbone for us over the last few years. It’s been incredible to watch his growth and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Learning a new sport is never easy, but hockey provides its own challenges with the skating aspect, and that is a big reason why Bailey decided to be a goaltender. “I had a tough time learning to skate,” said Bailey. “So goaltender was the best position for me and I loved it.”
The Pirates season came to an end earlier this week with a 2-1 OT loss to Park Rapids in the Section 8A Tournament, meaning Bailey has played his last game in a Crookston uniform. In the game, Jaren made 34 saves and was the main reason the Pirates were even able to get to OT as he saved the game several times for Crookston. When we asked him what he’ll remember most about his high school playing days, he said “Probably just the memories that were made over the years and the guys i got to play with.”
As much as Bailey will miss the opportunity to suit up for the Pirates, his coaches are going to miss him just as much. “Obviously I’ll miss watching him play hockey and man the net for us, but what I miss the most when kids graduate is not what they do on the ice but who they are off of it,” said coach Hardy. “The relationships we build with kids over the years, the amount of time we spend with them, they really become family. So I’ll miss Jaren’s practical jokes with Coach Melbye, his leadership with his peers, the resiliency he demonstrates, and the way he competes and makes everyone around him better.”
Bailey was also a member of the Pirates Football team that finished runner-up in the Section 8AA Tournament this Fall, and he shoots trap in the Spring. Away from playing sports Jaren enjoys being outdoors hunting and fishing.
First started playing Hockey – 6th Grade
What is your biggest strength with goaltending – My Focus and playing within myself
Biggest challenge in learning how to play goaltender – Skating/moving as well as the mental part of playing the position
Favorite rink away from Crookston – The Heritage Rink in Duluth
Favorite Hockey memory over the years – Going to the State Tournament my first year of playing
Favorite sport – Hockey
Favorite sports team – Minnesota Wild
Favorite athlete – Marc-Andre Fleury & Filip Gustavsson
Favorite Movie – Miracle
Favorite TV Show – Yellowstone
Favorite food – Sushi
What music are you listening to – Country
You’re stranded on a deserted island, and you can have ANY three people with you – Jack Doda, Hunter Knutson, George Widman
Plans after graduation – I would love to see if I could play more hockey and go as far as I can with that, if not then my plans would be to attend Northland Community & Technical College in East Grand Forks and major in Ag-Business Management
Family –
Dad – Jason (Farmer)
Mom – Amber (works at UMC)
Sister – Ashlyn (9th grader)
