The Drumheller Dragons Hockey Club is proud to announce that '97 born defenseman Chaydan Lauber has committed to Liberty University.
Chaydan Lauber, a 6-foot, 2-inch tall, 220-pound defenseman for the Drumheller Dragons, visited Liberty University early last week and committed to join the Flames' program on Tuesday.
“I flew down and toured the campus,” Lauber said. “I got a good feeling about the place. I met with a few of the captains, a total of five players, and it feels like one big family. I'm really looking forward to being around so many good people and knowing everyone around you believes in the same thing you do. Hopefully, I can be a leader for this team both on and off the ice and help them win the (ACHA Division I) National Championship.”
Lauber is in his third season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), which produced former Flames forward Lindsay LeBlanc. He played for the Olds Grizzlies in 2013-14 and the Calgary Canucks in 2014-15.
“He's a big, strong defenseman and a guy who will be an excellent addition both on and off the ice for us,” Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said. “He sees the ice well. He'll be a great addition on the back end to give us some size and strength. He's going to come in and work hard and be real steady back there.”
Lauber is firm in his faith and stands up for what he believes in, a sign of an excellent leader.
“I'm strong-willed and don't care about standing out or being different,” he said. “I'm not easily moved on what I believe or think's right.”
Drumheller Head Coach Brian Curran, a former player with the NHL's Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals who was named AJHL Coach of the year last season, has witnessed that quality in Lauber firsthand.
Lauber has connections with Liberty's coaching staff and team as his father is a second cousin of Flames Associate Head Coach Jeff Boettger and a first cousin of Jeff Shantz — a distant cousin of Liberty graduate defenseman Peter Shantz — who played center for the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, and Colorado Avalanche during a 10-year NHL career.
“(Boettger) and my dad played hockey together a long time ago for a year and he came down to watch our goalie on the Canucks that year when I played for Calgary,” Lauber said. “He watched me, too, and liked what he saw. He knew I came from a Christian family, and we've been talking from then on, and he's been watching (webcasts of) my games.”
The projected business management or administration major has aspirations to continue his hockey career after college.
“I would love to do that, given the opportunity,” Lauber said. “That is a goal of mine to move on after college. I'll see what God has in store.”
His backup plan is to work for his father's auto dealership, as he has in recent summers washing cars to help pay for his own before hockey season, which starts in August and runs through March, “or April, or possibly even longer if you go all the way,” Lauber said.
“I enjoy and excel all aspects of the game,” Lauber said. “I consider myself an all-around defenseman that can be put out there in any situation — blocking a shot or being put out there on power play, to score a goal. I work hard on whatever my assignment is and hopefully contribute to the team win.”
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer