By Linda Bouvet, LSSU Sports Information Director

Forward Will Acton's rookie season at Lake Superior State was a test of patience and resolve as the Lakers overcame a challenging first half of 2007-08 with a strong finish. This season is a test of another sort as the Lakers enter every series with high expectations and endure a roller coaster of success and heartbreak.

Acton is one of six Laker sophomores who garnered extensive playing time as freshmen. He and his teammates appreciate the fact that they had important roles when they were rookies. Their contributions stood out near the end of 2007-08 when the Lakers went 4-2-1 down the stretch.

"A lot of us played key roles, which was really nice," Acton said. "It helped with our maturity and growth, which is hopefully showing this year...Last year we didn't hit our stride until later in the year. Last year we didn't feel like we could break out and score five or six goals. Now we're realizing our potential. The confidence is carrying over."

So far this season, LSSU is tied for sixth in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in overall scoring. Compare that to 2007-08, when they were ranked ninth in the league in scoring and scraped together three or more goals in less than half their games.

Several current players are capable of having a big game or series, and Acton is among them. He has one goal and four assists so far this season. At this time last year, he had one assist.

"A lot of guys have that potential," he said. "They are right there, ready to break through. Everyone can contribute. We have a balanced attack with a lot of higher end guys who can step up...Playing a lot as freshmen (was a matter of) just playing and getting games under our belts."

Acton had one goal and one assist through his first 21 games as a rookie and contributed five goals and six assists during the Lakers' final 14 games. He was named LSSU's most-improved player in 2007-08 after scoring three goals, including his first collegiate short-handed marker, and adding an assist during the CCHA First-Round Playoffs.

"He's a great player, first and foremost," said teammate Rick Schofield, who first met Acton when they were playing for two different Ontario Provincial Hockey League teams and taking classes at York University in Toronto. "He's a big guy, strong, and has a great shot. Last year, it took all of us freshmen a month or two to get comfortable in this league. By the end of the season, Will was one of our top guys. You could see it in the playoffs. He's a great playoffs player. He takes charge, brings mental focus and intensity to the game. You can't teach that in a player. Either you have it or you don't."

Schofield sees leadership qualities in Acton, who is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Keith Acton. Will as a knack for putting the pressures of the game in the right prospective.

"I'm hard on myself as it is," Acton said. "Being around that environment, I understand things and why they are the way they are. I take things less personally. By no means am I saying that I know better. It just helps me understand things better."

While being the son of an NHL coach has exposed Acton to the highest level of the game he loves, the individuals who most-influenced his decision to attend Lake Superior State are familiar to Laker Hockey. They include defenseman Simon Gysbers, assistant coach Tim Christian and Schofield.

Gysbers and Acton were teammates at Stouffville.

"My dad didn't have a lot of contacts in the NCAA," Acton said. "He played in the OHL. How my dad really helped was when I was talking to schools, he gave me great advice on how to handle it. I was an 18-year-old kid in over my head. He helped me sort out everything and make the proper decision.

"I played with Simon in juniors. (Lake Superior State) was watching him and keeping tabs on him. I was fortunate that he wound up here. It was really nice having a teammate and close friend to lean on. He'd been through the process already. Then Lake State started contacting me, and I was thrilled."

Acton and Schofield actually met for the first time during a faceoff.

"I had no idea who he was," Schofield recalled. "He said, 'Hey, are you Rick Schofield and are you going to Lake Superior State?' I thought he was in my class at York. At the next class we talked. We both ended up committing here and decided to be roommates."

Now that he's here, Acton finds that every week with the Laker Hockey program leads to special moments. His focus is on doing his part to keep the Lakers on the upward track.

"As freshmen we're thinking, 'Holy smokes, what are they like,'" Acton said in reference to each week's opponent. "Now we kind of know what to expect. It's up to us to elevate our game...I can only speak for myself and maybe the other sophomores. A lot of us improved over the summer. As we play more games, we are getting more comfortable with the college game. We will see it pay off if we play as a team. We've let a couple games really slip away. If we keep growing and getting better, we'll capitalize on our opportunities.

"A lot of teams are really close, and it makes all of these games really important. If we can close this game out, we'll be in a better position...We're striving to get more and get up there in the standings."