By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

When Kevin Czuczman was a rookie at Lake Superior State in 2010-11, veterans Kyle Haines and Zach Trotman mentored what was then a very young Laker defense. Two years later, LSSU has arguably the most-experienced defensive core in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, if not all of college hockey.

Six of LSSU's seven defensemen appeared in 36 or more games last season, and senior goaltenders Kevin Murdock and Kevin Kapalka split playing time in the net. Czuczman totaled 2-9—11 in 38 games last season, and had a plus/minus rating of +3. Czuczman and senior Andrew Perrault were the only Laker defensemen with positive plus/minus ratings in 2012-13.

“It takes a lot of heat off the forwards, knowing there's so much of a veteran presence in net and on defense,” Czuczman said. “It lets them focus on their job of scoring goals. As a D core I think we should be one of the best in the league.”

Czuczman contributed 2-11—13 in 40 games as a freshman while paired with standout defenseman Zach Trotman. He was paired most of last season with rookie Eric Drapluk, who was injured during part of the season. Czuczman and Drapluk expect to be defensive partners again in 2013-14.

“Eric is a sophomore now. He's got some experience, and I roomed with him on the road,” Czuczman said. “We felt like we both learned a lot from each other. We play similar styles. We both like to get up in the rush. We really work together well and don't have contrasting styles.”

“As a freshman I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect, and Kevin definitely helped me adapt to the Division I level,” Drapluk said. “He took me under his wing, helped me out on the ice. He made me comfortable. We've gotten really close the last two years. He's definitely one of my better friends here, which has been a benefit for me.”

Drapluk added that he and Czuczman read off each other so well, and that makes them inseparable as a defensive pair.

“We're getting used to each other, and I know where he will be on breakouts,” Czuczman added. “It's comforting having someone with you who's that good of a player.”

Trotman was one of the top-scoring defensemen in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association when he played with Czuczman two seasons ago. Trotman left LSSU after his junior year and signed a professional contract with the Boston Bruins organization.

“Obviously I learned a lot from him,” Czuczman said. “He'd say, 'A lot less is more. If you're not doing anything, maybe it's not a bad thing. Keep control of your stick. It's not the big things anymore. It's where you put your stick when you're in a corner or blocking a shot.'”

Lake Superior State's recent wave of success with players moving on to the professional level is of keen interest to current Lakers. LSSU players who strive to play professionally keep tabs on Steven Oleksy, Derek A. Smith, Kyle Jean, Buddy Robinson, Kellan Lain, Will Acton and Trotman, among others.

“Kevin is a great kid, and still a very close friend,” said Trotman, who has played two games so far this season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. “He was always confident and assertive, even as a freshman. He is definitely the complete-package, two-way D-man, but he possesses some potential to be a good offensive threat. He's a good skater, sees the ice well and has a good shot. I think he has all the tools to be a first or second-team all-league player if he continues to work and learn.”

“He is an awesome player, and his shot is unbelievable,” Czuczman said of Trotman, whom he resembles in appearance and pro potential.

At 6-3, 205, Czuczman is second in stature only to LSSU sophomore Zach Loesch (6-5, 210), but he wasn't always an imposing figure on the ice. Czuczman hit his growth spurt after graduating from high school and after most of his friends had moved on in hockey. He was a journeyman in junior hockey's lower levels until getting an invitation to play for the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Newmarket Hurricanes.

“Two or three weeks into that season (2009-10) I got a scholarship, but I had grown to 6-2 or so by that time,” he said.

Czuczman has been courted by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, but plans to stay at LSSU to earn his business degree. As of last spring he was one of LSSU's top student-athletes with a 3.68 grade point average in finance and economics.

“Never in a million years did I think I'd be in this situation right now, playing college hockey,” Czuczman said. “I remember watching Western Michigan and Michigan State when I was 15 and that seemed so far away. Over time, you take all those little steps. You mature, get better and the dream becomes a reality. I try to not take anything for granted. This is such a good situation with hockey and school – one of the best in the country for sure. I remember deciding which school to go to. I talked to my coach, Brian Perrin, at Newmarket. He said 'if you want to be a hockey player and have the complete package, go to Lake Superior.'

“We have our own weight room, trainers, a good strength coach, good physical therapy,” Czuczman continued. “Head to toe, this is a sound organization.”

Perrin is one of several key individuals who influenced Czuczman during his career. From 6 a.m. mite practices and collecting hockey cards, to encouraging him to pursue his dream when he debated whether it was worth it to continue in hockey, parents Paul and Maureen have always been there for him.

“My parents always had faith in me. My dad has never criticized me for wanting to continue in hockey,” Czuczman said. “He's always the first to email me, always involved, my No. 1 fan.”

Paul and Maureen attend several LSSU games and follow their younger son, who is traveling a similar path in Junior C hockey. Kevin also has an older brother.

Czuczman is also one of several Laker players who train during the summer in the Toronto area with Rich Clark and his son, Wes, of the Athlete Training Centre.

“They train your mind as well as your body, and I come back mentally stronger every year,” Czuczman noted. “Not as many things bother me. I don't have to worry about getting fatigued, losing a battle. I'm so prepared. It has transformed my entire game.”