Laureigh finding comfort zone
Jersey Shore native Bryan Laureigh is finding his comfort zone with the Kingston Frontenacs as the Ontario Hockey League nears its midway point.
The 17-year-old Laureigh, a walk-on invite to the Frontenacs training camp in September, has been gaining experience in his role as a fourth-line forward with stints on the penalty-kill units.
“It’s definitely exceeding my expectations. It’s been super fun so far. I’m really liking it,” said Laureigh, who landed an invitation to the Frontenacs camp through a connection he had with a training instructor who was a friend of general manager Darren Keily.
Laureigh had spent two years at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn., playing for the vaunted Sabres prep school hockey program. He has his sights set on playing NCAA hockey before the opportunity to attend Kingston’s camp came along.
“I went up to Minnesota and it was definitely a good step for me. My goal has always been the NCAA, but when I had this opportunity, I thought this is something I want to do,” Laureigh said. “This has always been the dream to make it to the NHL one day and this is where I want to be.”
Laureigh showed his skill set at camp, signing his OHL standard player contract before the Frontenacs’ first pre-season game.
“Training camp was fun. I like to play a good strong offensive game, but I also like to backcheck and get back on defence,” Laureigh said. “It’s a huge jump, though. The speed, the skill, the physicality. Everything about the game is definitely turned up a notch [in the OHL].”
Laureigh scored his first OHL goal in his ninth game. It came on Oct. 20 in Sault Ste. Marie against the Greyhounds. He has two goals and three assists in 25 games.
He admits to becoming more comfortable in the league as weeks go by, and that’s what the coaches are seeing, too.
“Bryan is a guy who has an unbelievable skill set. He can really skate, really pass. I think right now he is kind of getting comfortable with this level. He has grown up here,” head coach Jay Varady said. “Each game, each week, each month, he is going to be more and more comfortable and become more and more a factor. He has an offensive mind with some really good gifts.”
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