Rookie Experience - Lachlan Summers

[kirbithan 1,762]

 

— A childhood dream is about to be realized as Lachlan Summers has now completed a season in Victory Hockey League Europe. It was time to take the next step in his career and move up to the VHL, in which he would be sticking around in Europe as a member of HC Davos Dynamo. Lachlan was drafted 12th overall in the S86 Entry Draft with the expectation that he would be the successor in the crease to the legendary Xavier Booberry, whose illustrious career is now beginning to come to a close.

 

The Aussie was the second goaltender to come off the board in a stacked draft for netminders, and this is a testament as to how he is gradually becoming a name that will be known by VHL players, coaches, and fans alike due to his tenacity and resilience despite the shortcomings he’s experienced in his career.

 

He has come far from being the little boy sitting in his childhood home in Brisbane watching VHL Continental Cup highlights, desiring the fame and glory like the players who came before him. After a solid season in the VHLE with the Vikings, Lachlan posted a 27-28-9 record, .922SV%, 2.74, and three shutouts. However, Stockholm fell short of securing a playoff spot, and this postseason curse seemed to follow Lachlan wherever he went. He only started in the playoffs once in his three-year career so far, and was with the San Diego Marlins in the VHLM at the time. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces in the first round. 

 

The netminder aims to alter this path with Davos, and aspires to become the cornerstone piece that this team needs to be successful in many seasons to come. Is he anxious to fill such big shoes? No, of course not.

 

Lachlan has always carried a quiet confidence and— for the lack of a better term— worked his ass off to get to the position he is now in today, and feels ready to man the net once Booberry hangs up the skates. Although the Australian is moving up now, he still has to wait his turn in line for a few more seasons before he can properly succeed Booberry. 

 

The seasons he will spend as Davos’ backup will be crucial to his development, and with one of the best goaltenders in the VHL mentoring him, Lachlan is certain he will be ready to take over the crease when the opportunity arises. He will receive the chance to hone his skills, and sit back and watch the VHL’s finest in Booberry.

 

Although all eyes will be on him, potentially critiquing his every move down to miniscule details— like the way he positions his skates when hugging a post— Lachlan Summers has never shied away from a challenge.

 

Spoiler

Word count: 467