Story by Trisha Chakraborty
Staff Writer
Photo by Kristy Whitmore
Contributor
Hockey is not the first sport that comes to mind when thinking about California athletes, but for junior Roman Whitmore-Vossler, the ice has been a second home for as long as he can remember. Whitmore-Vossler plays with the Los Angeles Junior Kings in the extremely competitive 16U AAA division, which is one of the highest levels of youth hockey in the country.
Whitmore-Vossler has traveled to tournaments in Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Dallas, and countless other cities within the past year. Hockey has allowed him to compete against teams from Michigan, Arizona, Minnesota, and even Berlin.
Whitmore-Vossler was introduced to hockey at just three years old through his dad, who shared an intense passion for the sport. Whitmore-Vossler currently plays in 16U AAA division youth hockey, which means he plays at the highest level of hockey for athletes who are 16 and under. Youth hockey age divisions are subdivided by skill level: B-level hockey is the first kind of competitive hockey that most players are introduced to, and A-level hockey is more competitive and further subdivided into two tiers.
Tier II hockey consists of AA-level hockey, which Whitmore-Vossler competed in until his freshman year. Tier I hockey consists of AAA-level hockey, which is the most elite rank of hockey for athletes in his age division.
Balancing school and hockey is a difficult yet rewarding task for Whitmore-Vossler. Every day, he commutes for nearly an hour to and from after school practice in El Segundo.
“Monday through Thursday, from the moment [school ends] to nine, [I’m] at the rink or in the car and [I] need to take advantage of every second [to do a few assignments],” Whitmore-Vossler said. “I’ve had to sit at the restaurant in the rink and just…do homework for an hour in between skates.”
Whitmore-Vossler moved through multiple teams and leagues before reaching AAA. He started out locally playing BB-level hockey for the Pasadena Maple Leafs before transitioning to stronger teams further away.
At 13 years old, he and his teammate dominated the California AA circuit, finishing as the top two scorers in the state. That success gave him the confidence to push for the next level, though Whitmore-Vossler found the transition from AA to AAA was a major leap.
“Just from my experience with AA, I went from being one of the top players in California to middle-bottom of the pack,” Whitmore-Vossler said. “There is a huge difference…You need to learn how to get quicker. You need to learn how to take hits.”
Adjusting to the speed and intensity of AAA hockey forced him to become a more physical player. Unlike AA, where referees tended to be stricter with penalties, AAA games allowed for much more contact.
“In AAA, you can totally get punched in the face,” Whitmore-Vossler said. “And the refs will totally let that happen.”
Whitmore-Vossler’s primary role as a left-wing forward is to create offensive opportunities, but his contributions extend beyond simply putting the pick in the net. His ability to read the ice allows him to anticipate plays and set up scoring chances for his teammates.
“I have a much better visual aspect of the ice,” Whitmore-Vossler said. “I can see where my teammates are. I can see where the other team is. I can see paths to take.”
Mental preparation is just as important as physical training in hockey. With games often decided by split-second decisions, Whitmore-Vossler puts in just as much effort off the ice to ensure he’s mentally sharp.
“Sometimes I’ll get to the rink early and I’ll sit in the stands and just stare at the ice and picture myself out there doing what I need to do,” Whitemore-Vossler said. “I put my headphones on, listen to music, and visualize the game.”
Whitmore-Vossler’s season ended recently at district playoffs in Irvine, but he says that his training never really stops. He is already working hard on preparing to try out for the 18U AAA team, an even more competitive division than what he plays in right now.
Whitmore-Vossler’s ambitions do not stop at 18U AAA. He hopes to play at the collegiate level, with both Division I and III hockey offering strong scouting opportunities for professional level hockey. Becoming an athlete in the National Hockey League is a long shot for any player, especially considering that less than two percent of the league’s athletes are from California.
“If I can get the opportunity to go pro, I absolutely will,” Whitmore-Vossler said.
Regardless of where hockey takes him, the sport has already shaped the way he approaches challenges. Competing at such a high level has taught him discipline, perseverance, and the importance of pushing himself beyond his limits. Whether it’s in hockey or academics, he has learned that improvement comes from embracing challenges rather than avoiding them.
“Going from AA to AAA, I know that I can make massive jumps now,” he said. “I know I can compete with upper groups.”