Since that seventh grade season, Rasmussen has taken a less than traditional route to a very bright future. Skipping Bantams, Rasmussen headed to nearby Victoria to play for Holy Family Catholic. At Holy Family, Rasmussen racked up some impressive stats in two seasons, going 17-1-0, saving 92 percent of shots faced and an impressive 1.41 Goals Against Average.

After his Freshman season at Holy Family, Rasmussen was invited to the Final 40 USNTDP Tryout in Ann Arbor, MI. A tryout where half the kids get an offer and the other half don't. The June prior, the November born kid was left off the list of Minnesota kids selected to the 15s National Camp. For Rasmussen USNTDP was an opportunity to prove himself. That weekend in Michigan he played as well as he ever has. He had a shutout in his first game and other great outings throughout that weekend. Several reports to YHH that weekend were that he was a shoe-in to be chosen for the U17 team in the Fall. LIke St. Cloud, he was not chosen. Farmington's Jake Oettinger and St. Louis native Joseph Woll were eventually selected as Goalies for the team in April. 

Not being selected in St. Cloud and then again rejected eight months later likely fueled Rasmussen even more to succeed. Later that month, he was almost nearly perfect in the Final 54 Festival in Plymouth, MN earning a spot to the US Camp this time to New York where he excelled again against the nation's best his age. In New York, he lead all Goalies with a .74 Goals Against and .964 Goals Against Average.

Looking for more games and stronger competition, Rasmussen packed his bags (and goalie pads) and moved to Colorado. This season he has been a pivotal member of the number 3 ranked U16 Colorado Thunderbirds in Tier I USA Hockey. The Thunderbirds are coached by former Denver Pioneer, Angelo Ricci,  and have a roster laden with several future Division commits and potential high round NHL picks.

YHH caught up with the 6 foot 2, 200 pound net minder on Friday in Blaine after his team beat the LA Junior Kings 4-1. Our interview spanned the likes of his team winning the Fargo International as a Squirt, qualifying for state as a PeeWee and his once glorious Lacrosse career that was cashed in for hockey glory. This Minnesota reporter asked the hardest question first, quizzing the star Goalie why he left Minnesota? To which Rasmussen immediately replied, "it was a great opportunity to play for Coach Ricci and face a higher quantity of high quality competition." He also went on to say how he really enjoys living with the family he was paired to live with this year. "It couldn't have been a better situation for me, living with them."

When asked about the adjustment to Tier I hockey, Rasmussen candidly said, "hockey-wise it wasn't hard at all...but all of the leagues, levels and teams was really confusing at first." The competition hasn't been confusing, the Thunderbirds are 48-4 heading into the weekend allowing an amazing 59 Goals in 52 game. 

We chatted briefly about his youth hockey career with EP, specifically playing against Reedy, Mismash, Fellows, et al. "I just remember my coach always telling me, make sure you know when Fellows gets the puck to be extra careful with him." Reminiscing with Dayton about the Eagles run as youth he showed great pride playing with his buddies Casey Mittelstadt and Cory Schoo who he mentioned by name. "Yeah playing with all those guys really meant a lot to win those big games...we are still good friends today." 

After their 4-1 win over the LA Junior Kings the Sophomore talked about his future after this season. "My hope is to play junior hockey in either the USHL or NAHL depending on how things turn out with Waterloo (USHL Waterloo Blackhawks who own his rights). 

College hockey insiders say Rasmussen has received offers from Boston College, Denver, Wisconsin and Ohio State. When asked what schools he's heard from he confirmed that he has heard from Denver and BC the most.