The Gospel In The Game Sports Podcast
Conversation and stories about real athletes and the journey thru sport, faith and life.
Connecting athletes, sports families and the church. Build bridges and telling real stories to help repair, build and grow people.
Hosts Dan Dromarsky and Dave Dawson
The Gospel In The Game Sports Podcast
Alex Worthington - When I walked away from hockey, God restored my purpose.
From the brink of quitting hockey forever to signing a professional contract, goaltender Alex Worthington's journey reveals the transformative power of finding identity beyond the crease.
Growing up as a pastor's kid, Worthington experienced both the support and pressure that comes with balancing faith and high-performance athletics. When his hockey career hit rock bottom during his 17-year-old season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Worthington found himself spiraling into negativity, placing his entire identity in his performance between the pipes.
"I put so much pressure on myself," Worthington confesses, detailing how playing for a struggling team that won only 10 games that season pushed him to his mental breaking point. After suffering a concussion, he made the radical decision to walk away from hockey completely - a choice that seemed career-ending but ultimately proved redemptive.
During his eight months away from the game, Worthington reconnected with his faith foundation, experienced spiritual renewal, and discovered a profound truth: "Hockey's not who I am. I'm a man of God." This perspective shift transformed not just his approach to the sport but his entire mindset about success, failure, and purpose.
When an unexpected opportunity arose to return to hockey, Worthington approached the game with fresh eyes, eventually working his way back to major junior hockey with the Oil Kings before signing with the Manitoba Moose. His testimony offers powerful insights for athletes at all levels struggling with identity, performance pressure, and finding meaning beyond the scoreboard.
Whether you're battling your own identity crisis in sports, parenting an athlete, or simply seeking inspiration from authentic stories of faith in action, Worthington's journey demonstrates that sometimes stepping away from what we think defines us becomes the very path that leads to discovering who we truly are.
Subscribe now to hear more powerful conversations at the intersection of faith and sports, and join our community of believers seeking to live out their purpose on and off the playing field.
alex worthington. I'm going to keep this really, really simple. What was your worst subject in school?
Speaker 2:math 100 percent. Um no, that was like 76 percent or 100?
Speaker 1:bad at hundred percent, bad at math.
Speaker 2:A hundred percent bad at math, like I would. I put an effort and uh still no results. So uh, yeah, I got to go with math.
Speaker 3:Do you ever fail a subject completely in school, like was math? Like below 50, passing a fail grade?
Speaker 2:No, no, I never failed, but uh, there's been been a few times. I think it was like grade 11 I was cutting her pretty close in math.
Speaker 1:I think my mom, my mom helped me out quite a bit right before finals and got me through, but yeah, I never failed well, and the really interesting thing, when you're like applying for like ncaa schooling or just even for, in order to get some sort of commitment for your future education wise, everything's weighted.
Speaker 2:I didn't realize how important this whole Mark's thing was talking to a former high school dropout that had to go back to school but it's still it's crazy, it's massive, especially with this whole like new NCAA rules now, like all the all the school guys, like it affects them way more. Now Stay in school.
Speaker 1:And the other side of it is, all of a sudden you have to take some course and you're 20 and you're like, oh man, like I have to go back and like apply to get like home economics 10.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3:Would you dread having to go back and take some more math, like if that was something that cause math is so different now, I imagine from back in the day it's harder, I think.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I think I would. I mean, I loved school growing up, but, um, having to do like a math class would, uh, probably not be ideal. Um, I think I was just more there for the, for the social aspect, but, um, yeah, I would probably dread it wouldn't, wouldn't add up for you, wouldn't add up for me no, that's okay.
Speaker 1:But speaking of the social aspect, I'm dan dramarski. Next to me is dave dawson and having a conversation with alex worthington. Alex, if you were just to describe yourself as an athlete for our gospel in the game listeners, what would you describe yourself as?
Speaker 2:yeah, so, uh, I guess, yeah, I'm a goalie, um, and just as uh, yeah, a little background I grew up in a christian home my whole life. Uh, my dad's a pastor, so, um, grew up going to church, um and just um, yeah, put it, trying to put God first, my whole life. Obviously there's been ups and downs through the road, but, yeah, I played for the Edmonton Oil Kings last year. I was in my 19-year-old year last season and just signed with Manitoba Moose.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, Now we're going to help out some of our listeners, because sometimes I see all the details. We've had listeners from overseas and from foreign countries that probably wonder what kind of goalie you are. But you play ice hockey. Have you played ice hockey your entire life?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I have Never actually played any other sports growing up, which I regret now, but I guess just hockey and golf.
Speaker 3:It's always something that I find amusing when they say ice hockey, because I say, oh, do you play field baseball? Is that field football? Okay, you play road NASCAR.
Speaker 1:Well, it's hockey. I know it's okay. Sorry, it's hockey.
Speaker 3:But it's a goalie yeah.
Speaker 1:But you know, a goalie can mean anything too. Right For sure, yeah, I would play goalie.
Speaker 3:Oh, foos, all in the league. Do they have cricket goalies? I'm not sure. No, there isn't. No, yeah, okay. Um, so you talked about being a pastor's kid. I want to maybe expand on that a little bit. Uh, many people know if they have friends who are pks which they're referred to as there's maybe certain pressures, what does that look like for me, an athlete, and also a high level athlete? What was that like? Growing up being a pastor's kid but also carving yourself to now on the way to play professional hockey?
Speaker 2:yeah, um, so I guess a little background. My dad became a pastor in 2020, so I've been a pk now for I guess five years and um, when he originally came became a pastor, um, I was super pumped about it. I have some, some buddies, that were also PKs and they're like, oh no, you're not going to like this at all, like there is there's way too much pressure and you gotta be perfect. But I didn't find that at all. Um, I found I, I've, I've enjoyed it the whole time my dad's been a pastor.
Speaker 2:Um, like the, the conversations that we've been able to have, and um, because of that, and uh, just, uh, having someone in your corner that you look up to, that uh, that follows the lord. The way that my dad does is like, so, so amazing. And um, I feel very fortunate because of that and I with, uh, I guess, yeah, going into professional hockey now it's uh, it's been huge having him and, uh, my mom as well, and um other mentors in my corner. Uh, that I grew up going to church with, or um, bible studies, whatnot. Um, just having people always turn to um when I need someone to talk to, or just um, you know, being on the road as well, with professional and junior hockey too. Uh, you miss church quite a bit and so, um, yeah, having having those people in your life you can do, do bible studies and um, just talk and it's, it's been huge for me so that that brings us to a good kind of point here.
Speaker 1:I was going to ask growing up, going to church and playing sports. How did your family navigate playing sports on sunday?
Speaker 2:yeah, um, so obviously there's a lot of Sunday games, um, so usually what would happen is my mom would take me to the games wherever they are when I was younger and, um, we just chat about, uh, chat about God on the way up to the game, and then we often also turn on online church, um, obviously, uh, with my dad, my dad preaching. We had that available to us online. So, yeah, we do just simple stuff like that, just little Bible studies before or after the game. Try to do that as much as possible.
Speaker 3:I know often in situations like that that I've been to a bunch of different churches with athletes, whether professional, amateur, beyond. Sometimes you know you get into church culture and people don't see you for a little while. Sometimes they forget about you and then you go back and not that you don't feel welcome, but what was that process like? Did you have a home church and how did you navigate, missing a lot of time and then trying to kind of get back and be a part of the church culture?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I've gone to the same church my whole life, um, so I guess, yeah, this year, for example, I left in August and I got back, uh, whatever month and a half ago. Um, so I was gone for eight or nine months this year and then, um, just randomly popping up into the church again. It was. So I was gone for eight or nine months this year and then, um, just randomly popping up into the church again. It was, it was a little bit different and um, you know, sometimes as a pastor's kid, it can feel like people are looking at you weird because you know I'm not there for nine months, right, but no, everyone was like, so welcoming and it's, it feels weird, but I feel like it's less weird than it feels. So, yeah, no, it's great to be back. Well, during the season you definitely miss going to your home church. So, uh, it's, I'm glad to be back for the summer.
Speaker 1:So let's talk about going during the season. Um, you're away from church. You're at the rink. How do you express your faith, share your faith, show your faith? Uh, as you're playing hockey.
Speaker 2:Um, yeah, I think. Um, it's pretty simple for me. If you're living out your faith, people are going to notice, especially in the hockey world where you know it's so dark it can be, yeah, really dark. So, you know, I just try to always live out my faith the best way. I could Just be bold as much as possible, even though it can be awkward sometimes. But just because of that, you know it leads to questions. Teammates ask you things, Even staff would reach out sometimes. So, yeah, I think, at the end of the day, just throwing yourself out there and just trusting that God has me where he has me for a reason, he's going to give me opportunities to share.
Speaker 3:So, yeah, Alex, I think often a misconception in the Christian faith that maybe some who aren't aware of maybe follow it and still maybe who are following it might have a misconception that as a Christian, you're free from struggle, You're free from trial, You're free from doubts and grief and the daily frustrations. While you look through scripture, it's full of that. Can you take us into a time where you talk about darkness? You were in darkness and how the Lord navigated you through that and got you on the other side.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I'll go back to my 16 year old, 17 year old season in junior. Sorry, um, try to try to make this story make sense here. But, um, basically I started the season, uh, with the Edmonton Hawkins. Uh, I was 17, um, so I was moving away from home for the first time and, um, basically at that point in my life I wasn't, uh, wasn't living out the way that I wanted to. My faith walk was not where I wanted to be at all and I feel like I put God in the back seat and hockey was first for me. It was my identity, I guess, and that's just the way that I looked at things. So I guess, going into that season, the team had won the league previously, the year before, so my 17 year old season we were going to have a horrible team and I think they got like 10 wins that season.
Speaker 2:Uh, so it was a rough go, um, but as a goalie like I put so much pressure on myself like way more than I need to, um, and we were just getting slaughtered like game every game. It felt like Um, and so because of that, I put so much pressure on myself and things were going my way. I'm like, like what am I doing? Like I'm like I'm not, like things are not good, like I was just digging myself in a hole, a mental barrier telling me things that I'm not, um, and just completely like bashing myself, bringing myself down and um, just became an absolute mental struggle and I feel like, um, when I should have been turning to God. I turned away, um, and just started doing things I didn't want to be doing and um, so fast forward a little bit, I get a concussion, um, in practice actually. And then I was out for a while and that gave me some time to think and I'm just like man, I need to change something in my life here, like I'm not in a good spot, my faith is not in a good spot.
Speaker 2:So I talked with mentors for a while and I did lots of praying, just trying to find God and just, yeah, seeing what I need to do, and I just felt like God really put on my heart, I need to let go of hockey for a little while because, like I said, I thought hockey was who I was, that's all that mattered to me at the time, and that's just not the truth. I'm a man of God and I just didn't realize that at the time. So I actually stepped away from hockey, I thought for good. I ended up getting into it again like eight months later, but um, I just, yeah, I went home, I didn't play for the rest of that season and, uh, it was, it was the best thing for me.
Speaker 2:Um, it's obviously probably weird for a lot of people seeing someone leave um junior to just go home and not play anymore, but I don't have any regrets about it at all and, like I said, it was the best thing for me. And I feel like just being able to be a kid again, go to school with my friends and just attend youth group consistently and just go to church on a consistent basis was unbelievable. And we have this event in Saskatchewan it's called Youthquake and I feel like that's where I really hit a switch. I just had this moment with God and I'm like, I don't know, he just became real to me there and I'm like, from there on, I'm like, okay, this is awesome, like just been on fire for God and just wanted to grow more and more each day. So, yeah, that's kind of kind of a long story, but hopefully that makes sense.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's great, thanks for sharing that. I want to expand on that a bit, then. So we have that great experience with god. What's the next step to get you back into hockey? Because if those who would just look at your elite prospects like you don't see that gap right, so like this guy, great year with a major junior team, now he's gonna play pro hockey what was that next step to get you back in and what happened? Was it a phone call? Was it, you know, going somewhere? Like what was the next step for you?
Speaker 2:yeah, so, um, my plan I actually had no plan on getting back into hockey after I left, um, I was planning to attend it's called Miller College of the Bible and so, yeah, that was kind of my plan. But the coach of the Briarcrest Clippers, which is the school I ended up going to to play hockey the head coach was my favorite player growing up. He played for the Saskatoon Blades and his name is Sam Clausen. Anyways, he gave me a call and he's like I want you to come play for us at Briarcrest here. And I'm like caught off guard because I was like I'm handing the pads up for good here, and so originally, I'm like I don't know. I told him how I felt. I'm like I don't know if I want to really get back into this. But he said, like just take time, like pray about it, do really get back into this. Um, but he said, like just take time, like pray about it. Um, do what you need to do.
Speaker 2:And, um, one of the last days I had to decide before I picked which school I was going to go to, I prayed about it and God just made it clear that, um, he's given me the gift of hockey and that I I can use it to glorify him, um, and so he just made it clear that it was a no-brainer for me that I needed to go to Briarcrest and um, getting to play for Sam, someone who I've looked up to my whole life, was, um also super helpful and um making me uh pick Briarcrest too.
Speaker 2:So, um, yeah, I had a. I went to Briarcrest, had an unreal year, um made some amazing relationships and um, yeah, I just I got the love back for the game from there. I guess I just I really really learned there that year that, uh, my identity is in christ. Um hockey's not who I am, it's just something that I get to do and something that I feel very fortunate to do. So, um, yeah, sam just uh helped me change my perspective on on the way I view things and um, yeah, very thankful for that, changed my perspective on the way I view things and yeah, very thankful for that.
Speaker 1:So, coming back into the game, you step back into it. Like you mentioned, you had a phenomenal year Coming back to junior hockey. After that, what was it like to come back to something that you had, in essence, walked away from?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was quite nervous going into it, um, especially going back to the same team. I'm like I don't know how I'm gonna fit in here now that, um, now that I left and I'm coming back. So I had a lot of doubt going into the year. But, um, management was like unreal to me from from the start. Um, the way that they just uh made me feel, feel like I'm at home, um, it was just awesome. The guys were so much more open than I thought they were going to be and I it really felt like a true team right from the start. So, um, definitely definitely a weird couple years as far as my, my hockey goes, but, uh, very thankful for for all the, all the things that I've been able to go through alex, take me back in a guess to that moment, because I love the way Dan said it.
Speaker 3:So there are many of us maybe, if you're listening in life, that you leave something. You feel like you're a failure. You feel like people are going to look at you, tell you whatever the enemy is, fill in your head with a lot of different things. How did you consistently keep those voices away throughout the year, as you have the opportunity now to get back what you had lost, right, I'm sure there's a lot of us in life that might have lost something and they wish for the opportunity back. The Lord had replenished and restored for you something that you wanted after trauma. So how did you keep the enemy at bay while filling your mind with truth during the year?
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely. I think the biggest thing was just um trusting that God has me here for for a purpose, and I feel like for me that was easier said than done. Um, you know, there's definitely many times throughout the year where I could feel the enemy was trying to get at me. Um, but I felt, um just through the year, like I could tell, like God had me there for a purpose, even just for the reasons like he gave me Christian Billets this year who were actually Briarcrest alumni as well, which is pretty cool.
Speaker 1:And they have a really cool skating rink.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they got a stick place. Stick ODR too Big time.
Speaker 1:Big time Anyway, sorry.
Speaker 2:Go on, go on. Yeah, so just just little things like that. Like like the first week I got to the billets there, I'm like these guys feel like second family already and I've known them for a week, so that was just like god provided assurance throughout the year.
Speaker 1:um, all the time that was just like, okay, you, you need to be here and I brought back, brought you back here for a reason yeah, okay, and coming back into the game and I love how you said that purpose and I think, so often going back a little bit, whereas people walk away from something or something, they think if I go back into it I've lost my purpose, I'll just be doing it. Uh, so now you, you move forward, you're done your season After junior hockey. Where are you at right now? So if you could describe right now where God has you, where does he have you?
Speaker 2:yeah, right now, god, um, I hope I'm answering this question the right way, but, uh, god, I feel like I'm in a time of thankfulness, um, perfect. I feel like, um, in the hockey season, you live the same day every day. It feels like and, uh, you just take that for granted. So now that the season's over, I'm back at home with my family and I just have so much more time to think, and I'm just look back at the past year, past years, and I feel like I've taken so many days for granted. So, yeah, just just thanking God for everything that he's given me, like I'm so blessed and, yeah, I'm always trying to get more and more, whether it's shoes or golf clubs, just just stuff like that. So just being thankful for where God has me now is kind of where I'm at.
Speaker 3:Alex, I love the way you describe your journey. I think it's just so powerful to be able to have that timeline to remind us. If you could go back to yourself again that year where the Oil Kings won 10 games. You're in a spot you're talking about where you weren't grounded. What would you tell yourself there and what can you share with somebody who maybe has an expectation of an experience and there might be an impending trial coming? What could you share for them about how you were able to navigate through that and trust in the Lord to pull yourself all the other side?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I said it before, but it's, it's the biggest thing for me is this understanding that hockey's not who I am, like, uh, I'm a man of God and um, I didn't, I didn't know that when I, when I was playing, then, um, so, yeah, if I, if I knew that back then, things would be so much different. I feel like, and then at the end of the day too, like it's not always going to go your way at the rink, like you're going to have a tough games, and just understanding that you know the sun's going to shine every morning. That might be cliche, but you know, if you get pumped, you're going to have a new day the next day and everything's going to be OK. Like it's just hockey. Um, so back then, when I had a bad game, I'd dwell on it for forever. It felt like, and um, I know I don't do that anymore, and um, so, yeah, I wish I knew that when I was younger.
Speaker 1:But just knowing who I am and knowing that my identity is in christ, okay, alex said tough game, tough times, but the sun's gonna shine the next morning. Here's a tough game. Okay, here we go. Tough game time, pop question. We're gonna come up with five or six pop questions. Give them to you pretty quick. You gotta answer on the hot seat. Are you ready?
Speaker 3:yeah, give her okay favorite pre-game meal uh, smoothie and then an omelet you're going through the drive-thru, you have to take an item off of a burger. What do you commonly take off or add on?
Speaker 1:taking off onions all day, okay you have a free vacation to the arctic and you have to stay there for one month and you're with this person for the whole entire month and no one else who you're bringing.
Speaker 3:Oh, tiger woods. All right, you're. You got the pads off. It's an all-star game. You're going in on a breakaway. You can use any object other than a stick to score. What are you using oh, that's a tough question shovels, a common one to pull the Michigan.
Speaker 2:Shovel's a common one. Eh, you know, I'm going to go with, I'm just going to go with the lacrosse stick. That's a terrible answer, but no, that works.
Speaker 1:Okay, you've come to the championship game, you open up your bag and you've forgotten one piece of equipment that cannot be replaced.
Speaker 2:What is it?
Speaker 1:Oh, I can't use it in the game no, you can't use it, you got to go without it. What's the one piece of your, of your goalie gear, that you've forgotten and you're going without?
Speaker 2:if it's a game. I hate to say it, but I think I'm going without my can. I don't get shot there that much during the games, so I'm taking the risk.
Speaker 3:Hope for the lord doesn't test you there in manitoba that's right, exactly put in the back seat of your car. I'm combing through things. What would I probably pull out during the hockey season in the back seat of your car?
Speaker 2:shoes. I got way too many pairs of shoes just sitting in the back of my car right now. It's not good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay last, last question for you here on the hot seat. If you got to quote your favorite Bible verse to someone, what is it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, joshua, 1.9. Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or do not be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.
Speaker 1:Full points on that one. Full points on that one. So, alex, if you got to give a word of advice, advice we talked a little bit about to yourself a couple years ago go way back in time, okay, we, every once in a while, we have a young listener that listens to this podcast, maybe is new to sport in general. Um, what's a word of encouragement that you would tell them in regards to your faith at a young age to establish?
Speaker 2:Yeah, just I think, trust God, like there's been so many times in my life where I've tried to do it my way, but that's not the way. That way doesn't work. So just give everything to God, rely on Him. Even if there's a situation that he puts you in that might be challenging, he's going to get you through it and and he's not gonna give you anything that you can't handle. So, um, just yeah, giving yourself completely to him and surrendering to him, um, just knowing that he's gonna be with you wherever you go.
Speaker 3:that's fantastic well, our two conditions, alex, is that we commonly talk about with each of our listeners. Number one we'd love to have you back again at some point in time, which, which I'm sure you're going to open to do that. It feels like deja vu, like we've done this before. I don't know what it is. And the next one, though, we're going to ask if we can pray for you. Absolutely, that'd be awesome. Let's do it.
Speaker 3:So, father, we thank you for Alex. We thank you for the journey that he's walked throughout his life, through his career, the peaks, the valleys, the darkness and, lord, the victories. We thank you for the man of faith he is and the light that he's shone through dressing rooms and arenas and places that he's interacted the coffee shops and the shoe stores, and all the places that his bright, smiling, holy Spirit-filled life can be a blessing. So, lord, we just pray this podcast can reach those who are looking for hope. We pray a blessing upon his life that he can be a light for each dressing room he comes into with this upcoming season. And, father, we just pray a blessing upon the rest of his journey. We thank you for his time in Jesus' name, amen.
Speaker 2:Amen.
Speaker 1:So great to be able to talk to Alex Worthington. Just you know what you can see and hear, just the joy in his heart, and often I think when people tell a little bit about good times and bad times, it's great. You can just hear the emotion in his voice how important it was that getting grounded with God was just such an impactful part of his life.
Speaker 3:I love that you said that, because I think often we as christians all of us at moments in time we can feel up in the times where things are going well and then struggle. You can hear it in our voices and there's nothing wrong with that. Look at his reality. It's the reality, yeah, but but to have for alex to, to hear the joy of the holy spirit in his voice going like I've been, I'll get shelled again. I mean, I'm now gonna go play pro, right? So there's gonna be a game where I'm gonna get shelled. So you know, before I wouldn't let that bother me. I'd let that bother me forever. Now I just I know that tomorrow's gonna be a new day, it's gonna be a sunny day. I love the transparency and it's the part that is the part for me about this project that we're working on is so great to hear authenticity and stories.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and from a young man. It's not like he's been playing in a league for 20 years and he's had all this experience. But to like step forward in his future with that mindset and with that heart condition is just. It's a huge, huge advantage for him, I think, just in life.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Such a bonus. Heart condition is just. It's a huge, huge advantage for him, I think, just in life. Yeah, Such a bonus and that's such a great interview. Alex Worthington, we love having stories like that and we're looking forward to bringing more guests on and this season, season two of the Gospel in the Game podcast. You can check us out where our podcasts are found Instagram and on Twitter or X, as well on socials.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you know what. Follow us share. If you find a good episode, tell us that you liked it. It's always good getting that feedback and encouragement, just so we can kind of know, like, who to have on, who not to have on, right that guy was awful.
Speaker 3:Don't have him on. That guy just talked about walking his dog. That Dave guy. Please don't have him blow his nose on the air have you into baseball by the end of the season.
Speaker 1:That's my goal.
Speaker 3:Well, when we talk about trauma and joy, maybe I can find joy in the trauma of baseball. Just kidding Baseball listeners if you're in Colorado or wherever, I don't mind the game. No.
Speaker 1:I don't mind it as well. Well, join us next time. Gospel in the Game and if you're like Dave, bring your binoculars. Thanks for listening you.
