Westfield State Alumni Jacob Ratcliffe, '22, has been building up Hockey Championships worldwide

Westfield State Alumni Jacob Ratcliffe, '22, has been building up Hockey Championships worldwide

Westfield State alum Jacob Ratcliffe '22 is excelling in hockey on both sides of the equator. His hockey journey began at the age of seven at the Alpine Ice Sports Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, the only rink in his hometown, which seats only 700 spectators.  

At age 14, Ratcliffe moved from New Zealand to attend a school in Canada, near Ottawa, where he continued to develop his hockey skills. Eventually, he again moved countries, where he began to play junior hockey in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This progression ultimately led him to play for Westfield State for three seasons, from 2018 to 2022. He recorded 30 goals and 32 assists during his time as an Owl.  

Currently, Ratcliffe plays hockey in Australia during its winter months, allowing him to skate on ice while the United States enjoys summer. He has won two Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) championships: one with the Canberra Brave in 2024 and another with the Sydney Bears in 2019. In addition to his successes in Australia, he earned a championship title with the Danbury Hat Tricks in the United States in 2023.  

At Westfield State, Ratcliffe refined his skating, strength training, and overall skills, which caught the attention of professional hockey scouts who recognized his growing potential. 

Congratulations, Jacob Ratcliffe! We are proud to have had you skate as an Owl and are excited to see what you accomplish next!