Theriault adjusting to life in the OHL

It’s not an easy jump to make but Lucas Theriault’s game has taken a step as he faces Ontario Hockey League competition with the Niagara IceDogs.

The rookie forward, who spent time with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds prior to joining the IceDogs, has had to make adjustments in taking his game to another level.

“It’s been awesome,” Theriault said. “Just the compete level in this league is just crazy. Coming here form the Thunderbirds it’s a lot quicker and a lot more skilled. It’s been really good so far.”

The 19-year-old has noticed an improvement in his overall game this season after posting solid numbers offensively last season with the Thunderbirds.

“The defensive zone and the offensive zone, in a full 200-foot game, my game has really improved that way,” Theriault said.

In addition to calling it a major improvement in his game, Theriault called it the biggest lesson he’s learned in making the jump to the OHL.

“You have to be a 200-foot player,” Theriault said. “You have to know how to play in the defensive zone and you have to know how to play in the offensive zone but it’s defence first.”

In the midst of a rebuild this season, the IceDogs have struggled at times, but Theriault says there’s reason to be optimistic.

“We’re in a rebuild mode and we’ve got some young guys, but there are a lot of good, really skilled, young players,” Theriault said. “Once we get a handle on our defensive zone and have a little bit more confidence on the ice, we’ll be good.”

With the rebuild in full swing, the IceDogs dealt star forwards Akil Thomas and Philip Tomasino ahead of the OHL trade deadline in January.

Theriault spoke of being able to learn a lot from the two prior to the moves.

“It was awesome just watching them practice and play every night,” Theriault said. “They would give us great pointers. They’re definitely great players.”

In addition to playing with players like Thomas and Tomasino, Theriault also spoke of how his confidence level rose last season with the Thunderbirds.

“I developed a lot more confidence playing in that league,” Theriault said. “Scoring a decent amount of goals and getting a lot of points, it gave me a good amount of confidence to come into this league and compete as much as I can.”

In 51 games with the team, Theriault scored 40 goals and 76 points las season and had 52 goals and 100 points in 89 career NOJHL games.