Logan Laich Rookie Profile

[Devise 4,475]

 

Player Name: Logan Laich

Jersey Number: 21

VHLM Team: Bratislava Watchmen

VHL Team: New York Americans

Height: 6'3

Weight: 215lbs

Player Type: Defensive Power Forward

Favorite NHL Player: Brett Hull

 

 

Entering The VHLM

 

After declaring to join the VHLM in the middle of the 36th season, Logan was claimed off waivers by the Minot Gladiators. Logan would spend 12 games with the Gladiators but he made his presence felt in a short period with 11 Goals, 6 assists and 39 hits. The Gladiators in the middle of a competitive season decided to leverage Logan Laich and trade him to the Bratislava Watchmen in exchange for career VHLM player Bodie Broadus. With the Watchmen Logan adapted based on team needs and became more of a defensive physical presence than that of a goal scorer. Finishing off the last 18 games of the season Laich recorded 5 goals, 2 assists and 59 hits. While the offensive stats were down, coaches were impressed with the work ethic, leadership, and how willing he was to accept whatever role he fit on a stacked team. As the Watchmen finished the season towering above the league, they were obvious Founder Cup favorites heading into the playoffs. 

 

VHLM Stats

Games Played: 30

Goals: 16

Assists: 8

Points: 24

+/-: 23

Hits: 98

Shots: 111

Shots Blocked: 9

 

Competing for a Championship

 

Logan and the Watchmen got their first taste of playoff action against the Bern Royals after receiving a bye due to their spot atop the European Conference. The role for Laich was much the same in the playoffs as it was during the regular season for the Watchmen. Depth clutch scoring combined with a physical presence and solid defensive play. Laich delivered for the Watchmen in the first round as the stacked team had no issues getting past the Royals sweeping them. Laich scored 3 goals, had 12 hits and was a +3 in 4 games against the Royals. The Watchmen would move on to face rival expansion team Yukon Rush. After exerting their dominance over the royals the expectation was that Bratislava would do the same with the Rush. After taking a 3-0 series lead, the Rush would manage to surprise the Watchmen and push the series to six games before bowing out. Laich was yet again an effective depth player in this series posting 1 goal, 2 assists, 33 hits and was a +2 in the six game series. 

 

VHLM Playoff Stats

Games Played: 10

Goals: 4

Assists: 2

Points: 6

+/-: 5

Hits: 45

Shots: 20

Shots Blocked: 5

 

The Draft and Beyond

 

Logan Laich was drafted 4th overall by the New York Americans in the S37 VHL Draft. His player agent, Ryan Power has a relationship with NYA General Manager Christopher Miller and with three picks in the top four, New York decided to stock up on forwards taking winger Jakob Linholm and center Tom Slaughter. When asked about his reasoning for selection Logan Laich, Miller had the following to say. 

 

"Logan Laich brings us a huge scoring presence and some fantastic intangibles.  I see him becoming one of the top forwards in the league because he shows qualities that few others do.  He will be a leader on the Americans and to get someone with that skill set, it was a no-brainer to take him with the fourth overall selection."

 

Lacih himself was excited to join the Americans. Having attended University and played hockey already in the city of New York. Logan told reporters that he felt honored to be able to play in a city that was like a second home of his, and with a franchise with such a storied history in the league. Going forward Logan is primed to join the Americans immediately as a rookie. His age, maturity, and his size is a big reason Logan will likely end up playing for the Americans heading into Season 37.

 

 

Strengths

 

Work Ethic - This would have to the the biggest and most impressive strength that Logan Laich could present. Thus far through his VHLM career and in training camp his coaches have been constantly impressed by how hard he works. On the ice, off the ice, with the video coaches. Logan is constantly looking to make himself a player that can be relied on in many situations on the ice and in the lineup. 

 

Maturity - Logan has also shown a maturity beyond his age. So many young players enter the league and demand to be put in the best position for individual success. Logan has displayed a desire to do whatever the team requires of him. Whether that be going for a clutch goal on the power play, blocking a shot on the penalty kill, or even rallying his teammates while sitting on the bench. The maturity has allowed Logan to understand that it is a team game. 

 

Heart and Mental Toughness - Hockey is a game constantly about learning. But some intangibles cannot be taught. His coaches have noticed that Laich has several of the attributes you can't teach, most notably heart and a mental toughness to do what is necessary to win. While Laich didn't fight often in the VHLM his desire to fight through injuries, never diving to draw a call and staying strong on his skates, and going to any dirty area to try and help create for his teammates were noticed. On top of that Logan would always be in scrums trying to help stand up for his team. 

 

 

Weaknesses

 

Passionate - While Logan may display maturity and heart, he has also displayed a passion that has gotten him into trouble at times. He'll wind up in the penalty box, chirp with opposing players and sometimes even go as far as to hit and target players to the determent of the flow of play. At times his passion can get the best of him and it can cause Laich to make mistakes at key times. 

 

Stuck In His Ways - Nobody doubts his work ethic, but his ability to change habits and patterns that he has been stuck in can at times cause a lack of perfect development for Laich. Because of this Laich has often thrown out much improvement to some of his on ice faults, like passing or puck handling as if he should focus more on the area of the game he excels at. 

 

​Superstitious - Like most hockey players, Laich is a superstitious player. But he at times has taken it to an extreme. Little habits like playing with off colored gloves, specific stick tape colors for playing on the power play or the penalty kill and even needing a specific type of gum in some key game situations. Coaches have remarked that he is just as crazy as a goalie in some situations. This attitude towards this aspect of the game can at times drive his teammates and coaches crazy. 

Edited March 7, 2014 by Devise22

[Guest Svoboda_3]

Content: 5/5

Great content here in this Rookie Profile. You had good pros and cons, a solid background and you sprinkled some stats in there, which never hurts. Good job!

Grammar: 1/1

Minor instances, but based on the word count, you'll get by without a deduction.

 

11 Goals = 11 goals

season Laich = season, Laich

Founder = Founder's

the royals the = the Royals, the

four, New York = four; New York

skill set, it = skill set; it

Lacih - Laich (you mis-spelled your own name wrong?)

the the biggest = the biggest

 

he works. On the ice, off the ice, with the video coaches.he works. On the ice, off the ice, with the video coaches. = he works; on the ice, off the ice....

 

Appearance: 1/1

Spot on!

Over 500 Words? 1/1

1,153 words.

Overall 8/8