CCHL News

Lessio Commits to Michigan for 2011

Date: Oct 05, 2009

by Dave McCarthy (CCHL/St. Michael's Buzzers)

For a lot of highly touted young players coming out of minor midget AAA hockey in Ontario, especially those picked near the top of the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, the decision regarding their hockey future is not a difficult one. On occasion though, some players opt for other avenues of advancement depending on what they feel the best situation is for them to develop in.

Lucas Lessio, despite being drafted seventh overall by the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2009, long had the feeling that no matter what happened, his primary goal was to earn the opportunity to play for the University of Michigan Wolverines.

"I went to (training camp) in Niagara but it didn't feel like the right comfort level for me," said Lessio. "My gut has always been with Michigan, it's a very warm environment and I think I'll succeed there as a player."

The notion of playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines first began three years ago for Lessio when he attended a game at Yost Ice Arena and the atmosphere he witnessed left him with a lasting impression.

"I just love it there; I fell in love with it when I went to watch a game three years ago," said Lessio. "My heart's been set there probably ever since."

Apart from the truly legendary atmosphere at Yost Ice Arena, the University of Michigan is, year in and year out, among the top schools in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and has an impressive track record of players moving on to the professional ranks, a fact which was not lost on Lessio when considering the numerous other NCAA offers he received.

"The University of Michigan has the number one hockey development program in the CCHA, I think," said Lessio. "It's just a great school from the coaches on down to the players."
Any doubt that may have been lingering in Lessio's mind about whether the University of Michigan was the right choice was eliminated after he spoke with Wolverines' alumni Andrew Cogliano of the Edmonton Oilers and Mike Cammalleri of the Montreal Canadiens along with current Wolverines Louie Caporusso and Brandon Burlon.

"I spoke to Cogliano a couple times and Cammalleri when I skated with the NHLers in the summertime," said Lessio. "They said they have no regrets going there. They said they loved it. After a game I watched at Yost in January, I had a chance to talk to Caporusso and Burlon and they said all good things about the school. I never heard one negative comment about Michigan and their hockey program."

Knowing the University of Michigan and NCAA route was the path he wanted to proceed with, the question then for Lessio was where to play for two years in advance of his commitment for the 2011-2012 season while still allowing himself to continue to develop and maintain his college eligibility.

The St. Michael's Buzzers seemed like a natural fit. With the success that the University of Michigan has had in recruiting former Buzzers Andrew Cogliano, Louie Caporusso and Brandon Burlon, all of whom have turned out to be impact players at the Division I level, the Wolverines hockey staff suggested that Lessio attend Buzzers training camp this past fall.

Right away, Lessio felt comfortable and knew the Buzzers would be a good fit for the next two seasons.

"I came to training camp here (with the Buzzers) and just liked the bunch of guys," explained Lessio. "It made my decision a lot easier."

Only eight games into his Junior A career, the sixteen year old Lessio's talent is undeniable. With eight goals - several of them falling into the highlight reel category - and nine assists already, the usual learning curve from minor midget AAA to Junior A seems to have been bypassed altogether. Although, despite being a frontline player with the Buzzers so quickly, Lessio knows he still has plenty of room for improvement in his game and has no intention of coasting for the next two seasons.

"I try not to see these two seasons as an opportunity to relax knowing where I will be in two years," Lessio informed. "I always try to work hard at everything I do because if you work hard, even in practice, that's how you'll get better. Working hard should be your number one priority and then the rest of the things will fall into place so that's my number one priority when I go out there every game."

Even in spite of his remarkable ability at such a young age, Lessio possesses a very mature outlook, understanding he can still get and has to get a lot better if he wants to continue to advance. As a result, he is typically self-effacing when praise is directed his way.
After a recent game against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in which he scored a goal by pulling a loose puck off the end boards at the side of the net and tucking it through his legs into the net all in one motion not unlike a goal scored by Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets some years back, Lessio was not interested in such a lofty compliment when told of the comparison his goal was drawing.

"I don't know about that," Lessio said laughing. "I just think I'd be pretty lucky to be compared to a player like him (Nash)."

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