Hard-working FOG Gold left side Pavone bringing skill-set to Griffins

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Possessing a solid vertical, a strong dedication to the game and the talent to one day make an impact on the outside at the U SPORTS level, promising St. Albert product Ethan Pavone will join the Griffins in the fall.

The left side played for St. Albert Catholic on the local high school circuit and for FOG Gold 18U on the club scene.

“He has a good jump, a good arm and plays on a top club team that finished third at nationals,” said Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski. “So, he has experience playing with good players. 

“I like his athleticism, he’s very vocal and a really supportive athlete. He has a lot of potential here. He’s very hard working, so I’m excited to have him join us.”

In video highlight reels posted to his social media channels, Pavone shows off the full gamut of skills needed to make an impact with strong passing, attack and serving phases to his game.

“Obviously we have some veterans ahead of him right now, but in the next couple of years they’re all graduating,” said Poplawski. “We need him to come in, learn, get in the gym and we talked about getting his spike touch up a little bit higher. I don’t want to limit him, but like many first years, he needs to adapt to the speed and physicality. Even though he’s played with very good players, it’s just a jump up.

“Passing is going to be the big thing at this level, so we want to get him stronger, more physical, hitting harder, hitting higher,” he added. “Hopefully he’ll get up to speed at this level as soon as possible and hopefully in the next couple of years he’ll push and make his case to be out there.”

Poplawski noted he’s impressed with Pavone’s attitude and work ethic, two of the biggest things that drive growth.

“I really liked meeting with him and chatting with him,” he said. “He’s a very dedicated athlete, works very hard and that’s what we’re trying to bring in – guys that really want to be here and understand that we’re an underdog team. We need everyone pushing in one direction. And when things get hard, we want guys who are going to keep working harder.”