Schofield brings a physical presence to Laker offense

 By Linda Bouvet, LSSU Sports Information Director

Lake Superior State has progressively built a team with the right combination of size and speed, and players who can contribute at both ends of the ice. By adding sophomore forward Rick Schofield to the lineup last season, the Lakers have strung together some of their most-physical lines of the past decade.

As a freshman, Schofield, a 6-2, 194-pounder from Pickering, Ont., centered a line that included 6-0, 216-pound left wing Dan Eves and 6-2, 205-pound right wing Zac MacVoy.

"It was definitely a thrill playing with them," Schofield said. "We complemented each other out there. They had so much skill that playing with them was easy. They could turn simple plays into great plays."

The trio scored 29 goals, and all three players finished among LSSU's top five in points. Schofield, who was voted LSSU's Outstanding Freshman in 2008, also led the Lakers in plus/minus at plus-8.

"We could hold the puck down low, make plays in corners and make a lot of hits," Schofield added. "It was hard to defend against."

"I honestly can't say enough about Schoey," said Eves, who was recently traded from the Idaho Steelheads to the Trenton Devils of the East Coach Hockey League. "Schoey and Mac were a huge part of my personal success last season, and it was great to be able to play with them, although I wish it could have been longer than one season.

"Schoey's probably the most-skilled player that we had at school during my four years. He has great hands, tremendous speed, and he sees the ice really well. He makes things happen when he's on the ice and can be a threat in any situation. He worked really hard last season. If he continues to do so, he will surely become a dominant player in the CCHA."

Schofield and MacVoy have been paired together most of the 2008-09 season. Freshman Dan Barczuk, sophomore will Acton, juniors John Schrymgeour, Nathan Perkovich and Pat Aubry, and senior Carter Lee have all taken a turn on that line. Schofield has also played a couple games at left wing.

"Playing left wing was definitely a new challenge, which I liked," Schofield said. "It was a different system. Part of hockey is knowing every position. I didn't mind it at all."

Both he and the Lakers took a bit too long hitting their stride last season, and he is relieved that the team is off to a better start in 2008-09.

"It took me a few games to get my feet wet," Schofield said of his freshman year. "I was trying to not put pressure on myself to score every game or get an assist. I tried to do the right things and make the right plays. If I did that, the points would come, and the wins would come. Playing with a veteran like Eves really helped me out. He was teaching me as we went along, and I got a lot of help from the coaches. That put confidence in me."

Schofield was a part of MacVoy's 10-game point streak during the Lakers' first 10 games and he scored his first goal of the season last Friday at Alaska. He has one goal and four assists through 14 games.

"We started from where we left off last year. We're in good moods in the locker room. We're definitely a lot happier. We're doing the things we've got to do."

Schofield noted that he and his teammates were surprised by some early-season upsets and the league's parity, which has given every team hope for bid to Joe Louis Arena. As of this week, Miami, Notre Dame, Alaska, Ferris State and Ohio State are leading the CCHA points race, and the Irish are ranked No. 1 in the nation.

"We're trying to be one of the top four teams. That's our goal for the season," he said. "I thought if we were up there, we'd be with Miami, Michigan State and Michigan. The best thing about college hockey is that when you're playing the No. 1 team in the nation, you have a chance to win just as much as they do."

Schofield and Scrymgeour are former Pickering Panthers teammates. Scrymgeour, who is a year older, was a sounding board for Schofield when he was being recruited by LSSU assistant coach Tim Christian.

"I asked him every question I could think of," Schofield said. "He gave me honest answers. The process was easier because of knowing him, and it helped in my decision."

Schofield's older brother, Dan, also played for Pickering and went on to have a collegiate career at SUNY-Geneseo.

"He was a few years ahead of me," he said. "Watching video, we skate very similarly and play a lot alike. He helped me with my confidence, and my parents have supported me in every decision and provided me with the best opportunities to train."

Schofield's recruiting visit to LSSU is memorable. He had such a bad case of laryngitis at the time that his father had to serve as an interpreter.

"I didn't have time to reschedule," Schofield recalled. "When going out with the guys and meeting the coach, I had no voice at all. I met the guys in the weightroom and couldn't talk. It was embarrassing. But I knew Lake State was the right place for me."

Actions speak louder than words, especially when it's No. 23 controlling the traffic in front of the net.