For our Newsletter each quarter we will reach out to a different goaltender for the “Quarterly 5 (Q5)”. Asking 5 questions in an effort to examine the unique perspectives they have on their games.
In our 6th installment of the Q5, we caught up with long time GDI trained NAHL Austin Bruins goaltender #31 Nick Lehr. After finishing the season with a league best 35 Wins, posting a 5th best GAA and SP, winning the NAHL Showcase, awarded one Central Star of the Week, playing in the Top Prospects Tournament for a second year, being named to the All Division – Central Team, voted Team MVP by his teammates , winning the Central Division title, and making a trip to the league finals, Nick has certainly earned his mettle as one of the top goalies in one of the top Junior Leagues in the US. When his hometown University of Minnesota committed him for next fall, the 1993 born goaltender knew his time was now to make a run at the NAHL title. Attending the NDC: GDI EAST this summer for a second year, we are excited to welcome Nick Lehr to the Q5.
Q1: You just returned from the NAHL Finals. Tell us about the playoff run.
A: After two years of losing in the division final, it felt really good getting over that hump this third year. “3rd time’s the charm” was kinda my motto this year. Playoffs were a battle for us, but the most fun I have had while playing hockey. Playing in the longest game in NAHL history (a 4-3W to clinch their Division Series against Minot on April 12, lasting 117 minutes in triple overtime) was one of the most fun hockey moments I have ever had. The finals were a great experience. The fact the final was in Alaska, the atmosphere in Fairbanks was great!
Q2: Posting a 81-37-7 record and earning multiple accolades through your junior career as now the most highly decorated Bruin, is a hugely successful body of work. How do you feel you evolved through the course of those three years?
A: The first year I was a back up to a veteran goalie who taught me a lot. I didn’t play much but I learned what it took to get through such a long season and how to stay composed, stay up-beat, and stay healthy through a nine month season. I created a routine for myself that didn’t really change much over the duration of my career. Consistency is the key and my daily/weekly routine helped me feel comfortable during the entire three years.
Q3: Most goalies strive to be in your position. What do you feel are the challenges and pressures of being a proven NAHL starting goaltender?
A: It was definitely a lot of pressure proving myself day in and day out over the years. I just tried not to think about pressures and just enjoy going to the rink. The guys on the team each year have been a lot of fun and they are your family for nine months out of the year. Enjoying the season and hanging out with the guys on the team makes it fun to play each day, which relieved the pressure. It’s just a game, you gotta have fun when playing.
Q4: You are known to make saves “out of the box” and are a dynamic goaltender, how do you approach the position?
A: My game has actually changed a lot since the first season. The Head Coach, Goalie Coach, and summer Trainer did a lot for me. I started with a very wide stance and went down on all my saves. Last year my coach literally had me stand up for two weeks straight in practice, without going down, after a weekend I had been scored on high too many times. Just one of those things you don’t really think of but the rest of the season I noticed myself making more standing saves on high shots. I’ve narrowed my stance and I feel I have more power and mobility along with staying up more on high shots. The NAHL is a good league, I had to learn and understand situations and I watched a lot of video to see how I played weekend to weekend.
Q5: University of Minnesota chose you this season. That must have been a dream come true for a Minnesota guy, tell us about the recruitment experience.
A: It was definitely a dream come true! I grew up 5 minutes from the U of M and I remember going to games and thinking “This is where I want to be”. I did have a few other schools talk to me throughout the year but it’s a waiting game. I didn’t think of it as a distraction but more as motivation. Division 1 opportunity is what this league is about, and once you get that first call or talk after a game you want them to keep calling or keep coming back to see you. I was going on through the season just talking to these schools waiting for someone to make an offer when finally Minnesota did. I didn’t hesitate to accept. After I committed, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. All those years of working and it had finally paid off.
Bonus Q: After you received your commitment and the seemingly endless wait to find out where you were going to play college hockey was over, how did it affect you? A lot of players can let their foot off the gas and finish their year poorly.
A: Exactly, it was a relief to finally know what I was doing in the future. The main word from that sentence is future. I was still an Austin Bruin after I committed and the team was my focus. I know players that have committed and gone downhill at the end of their year. I did not want to be one of those players. After I committed I didn’t think that I could relax, I thought now I have to prove they made the right decision. I am competitive and to just stop playing is not in my blood.
What a junior career and promising future for Nick. Thanks buddy, we appreciate your time and can’t wait to continue working with you this summer to help prepare you for your college career. Follow the fun loving Nick Lehr on Twitter @LehrBear and check him out next year with the Golden Gophers @GopherHockey
Also GDI EAST Coach Elliott Hogue is the 3rd year Goaltending Coach for the Austin Bruins. Follow Elliott @ehogue86 and the Bruins @theaustinbruins