By: Ryan Goulden
NAIT Ooks men's hockey team lost a key member of their core over the holiday break. Forward Nick Leyer signed his first professional contract with Kalix HC of the HockeyEttan league in Sweden. During his time with the Ooks, Leyer produced at a point-per-game rate, racking up 26 points (11 goals) in 25 games, along with 93 penalty minutes. He was rewarded with second all-conference team last season. Leyer was a vital member of the 2021-22 ACAC championship team last year, adding another 6 points (2 goals) in 6 games during their run. The offensive production speaks for itself, but Leyer brought toughness and grit that will be difficult to replace. As an undersized forward at just 5'9, Leyer was never afraid to mix it up and stand up for his teammates, a true hockey player through and through.
"The friendships I made and how it was always a great time coming to the rink, having some laughs with the boys, and playing the game I love," Leyer said when asked what he will miss most about his time with the Ooks.
"Off the ice, just Nick's presence, he was a great team guy and a leader that knew how to get the guys focused on the task at hand. On the ice, he was a great contributor not only scoring, but he brought physicality to the table, he's a player who will be hard to replace, but we have a great staff to fill those holes." Ooks defenceman Ethan Green had this to say about his former teammate.
Leyer is the second player from last year's Championship team to sign a professional contract. He joins goaltender and former league MVP Jordan Papirny who signed an American Hockey League contract with the Henderson Silver Knights at the end of last season. Papirny is currently playing in the East Coast Hockey League with the Fort Wayne Comets.
Two-time ACAC champion Josh Lazowski who's been on the club's staff as an assistant coach for the past two seasons, will replace Leyer on the roster. Lazowski last played high-level hockey in the 2014-15 season, where he scored 12 points in 9 games with NAIT.
"When I stopped playing hockey, it was circumstantial related. I wasn't ready to be done, and now I have a chance to hopefully have some closure." Lazowski on his decision to return to play.
Lazowski has an illustrious background spending time with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League and the Spruce Grove Saints, one of the premier teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Suiting up in 60 games during his ACAC career spanning over three seasons, where he lit the lamp for 85 points. Josh has had no problem creating offense at every level he's played and should provide a spark to the club's top 6, along with experience and leadership for the remainder of the season.
"The transition has seemed seamless. My coaching style was to have a good relationship with players, and I've felt that relationship already manifested moving from the coach's room to the players' room." Lazowski, on how the transitions been
The Ooks dropped their final three games before the break and currently sit third in league standings with a 6-6 record. They knocked off SAIT 5-4 on January 7th in an exhibition tilt. They have a chance to build off that as they play a home and home with Concordia University, kicking off January 20th on the road before returning home on the 21st at 6 PM.