Several hockey stories are about being the best player in the room from day one.

Ashton Cumby’s story isn’t one of them. It’s one of hard work, determination, perseverance through doubt and adaptation to life’s subtle inconveniences.

The Bonnyville athlete, Chicago Blackhawks draft pick and former Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman recently signed a two-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League, officially taking the next step toward his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

“I was able to secure my first contract with the Rockford IceHogs, so that was pretty exciting to get that done and signed,” Cumby said.

The AHL is widely considered the top development league in professional hockey and serves as the primary affiliate system for NHL clubs. In Rockford’s case, that’s the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

Underdog Turned Frontrunner

What makes Cumby’s story especially powerful is that it wasn’t always obvious where it would lead. Growing up, he wasn’t the player making every top team. It’s a milestone years in the making.

“I was always Tier 3, getting cut from Tier 1,” Cumby recalled from his Peewee years.

It wasn’t until Bantam hockey that things started to click. Yet, even then, the path wasn’t straightforward. COVID interrupted key developmental seasons, and there were plenty of moments when doubt crept in.

“There was definitely my first two years of Junior that were rough, for sure,” he said. “But I had a ton of support from my parents and everyone around me. At the end of the day, you can’t quit.”

Gratitude for His Hometown

That sense of gratitude came up repeatedly throughout his conversation with Lakeland Connect’s Brinson Pasichnuk. Whether he was talking about his parents, coaches or teammates, Cumby made it clear that this journey has never been a solo effort.

“It’s just a big moment for me and my family, just showing that everything that I’ve been doing has been paying off,” Cumby shared.

One of the first people he called after signing was longtime trainer and mentor Chad Cavanaugh.

“He’s been a big part of me getting through everything,” Cumby said. “He’s a big part of why I’m drafted and being able to sign.”

Brinson has watched Cumby’s work ethic and humility firsthand.

“For those of you that haven’t figured it out yet, Ashton is one of the hardest-working kids and athletes you will ever meet,” he said.

In fact, when asked what advice he would give his younger self, Cumby didn’t hesitate.

“Just don’t quit,” he said. “There were so many times in my career where I just wanted to hang them up and call it a day. But at the end of the day, that’s just not me. Keep going, put your head down and just don’t give up.”

Setbacks Lead to Comprehensive Success

Brinson pointed to Cumby’s hockey career as proof that setbacks do not define your journey. Setbacks build character, grit and strength that equips you for each stage of your quest.

“This is a prime example of hard work and dedication,” Brinson explained. “It doesn’t matter what you made or what you didn’t make. If you stick with it, people will find you.”

The harder Cumby worked through adversity, the more that sentiment rang true. Cumby says being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 NHL Draft remains one of the proudest days of his life.

“I kind of forgot the draft was going on,” he laughed. “I got the phone call downstairs and then I hear my dad screaming from upstairs, ‘You just got drafted!'”

The memory still resonates because of what it meant to his family.

“Just being able to see the emotion on my parents’ face, seeing all the work finally pay off, especially for my dad,” Cumby said. “That was probably my happiest day.”

The AHL Stage

Now, another chapter begins.

Signing in the AHL is a massive accomplishment for any player. For Cumby, it carries even more significance because of everything it took to get here. When he signed the contract, the moment was about more than hockey — it was about his hometown roots, endurance through the challenges and tenacity to never give up.

Cumby heads to Rockford carrying more than just a contract. He carries the support of a community that has watched him grow from a local kid fighting for roster spots to a professional hockey player.

As Brinson put it, “This is such an incredible story of perseverance, grit and will.”

If Cumby’s career has taught us anything so far, it’s that he’s not interested in stopping here. You won’t want to miss what the rest of his hockey career has in store.