JUNIORS HUNT GOLD
SWISS HURDLE AWAITS IN QUARTER-FINALS
MALMO, SWEDEN — Curtis Lazar and the rest of his Canadian teammates gathered for a New Year’s Eve dinner after an important victory against the United States.
His parents, Dave and Karen, were there to document the festivities.
“I was a little embarrassed last night,” Lazar said. “My dad’s got the camera so close to everyone’s faces and everyone’s looking at us.”
Although the execution might not have been mastered, it’s not hard to understand his parents’ intentions.
Their son is putting on a can’tmiss performance at the tournament, leading Canada into its quarter-final matchup with Switzerland on Thursday.
“Obviously, he’s been one of our best forwards, if not our best,” Canadian head coach Brent Sutter said.
In addition to netting the game winner on a third-period power play against the Americans, Lazar scored once more and added three assists in the preliminary round.
But Lazar, an 18-year-old alternate captain with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, isn’t just an offensive threat. He’s killed penalties and filled in at left-wing and centre, notably when Jonathan Drouin missed most of the first period against Slovakia.
He’s mostly played on the right side with Nic Petan. They skated with Connor McDavid at practice on Wednesday.
“Versatility is a big part of my game,” said Lazar, a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators last June. “I played all three (forward) positions in one game, something I’ve never done before. It was a lot of fun.
“I want to make a difference. I take so much pride in my game and playing for my country. Any time I get on the ice, it’s a thrill.”
Lazar thinks the game. If he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to be doing, he asks questions.
Along with Sam Reinhart, Sutter trusts Lazar in any circumstance.
“They’ve certainly been our most complete players,” the coach said. “You can put them in any situation.”
Lazar gained notice when he led British Columbia to a gold medal at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
The Vernon, B.C., native broke the tournament record for goals and points, marks that were previously held by Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby, respectively.
But Lazar didn’t take himself too seriously then. And he still doesn’t.
The six-foot, 198-pound forward said he gets his fun-loving nature because he simply loves the game.
He also gets it from his parents too. Dave and Karen — whom he calls “the backbone of my life” — are staying in Copenhagen.
Of course, the camera is flashing away.
“They’re actually showing me some of their pictures and it looks like they’re having a real good time,” Lazar said. “Their photography skills may not be that good.”