Laker seniors have been teammates since their days with the Klippers

By Linda Bouvet, LSSU Sports Information Director 

Without being big, fast or flashy, senior forward Troy Schwab simply gets the job done.

Schwab's teammates say that reaching the 100-point career scoring milestone testifies to his consistency. Josh Sim, who has reaped the benefits of Schwab's set-up plays since their junior hockey days, made sure his best friend celebrated his recent accomplishment.

"I was pretty excited for him," Sim said. "It wasn't really a main concern for him. I'd throw a bug in his ear (when he was getting close), and he'd smile or laugh. But it wasn't his priority."

Schwab, who heads into this weekend's series with 29 goals and 74 assists for 103 points, is the first Laker to total 100 career points since Joe Blaznek compiled 57-54-111 from 1994-98. He leads the Lakers in points this season with 9-16-25 and has never had less than 24 points in a season.

"It's just experience," said Schwab, who surpassed his career high in single-season goals this year. "I've put a lot of work in the last two summers to get my body in better shape, to the level I want to play at. I maybe have more experience on the ice and more of an understanding of what needs to be done."

Schwab has been a mainstay on the Lakers' special teams throughout his career. He teams with Sim on the power play, and the long-time friends have been linemates off and on throughout their collegiate careers.

"He's so intelligent and smart," Sim said. "He's gifted, you could say. He almost has eyes in the back of his head. He's a pretty determined kid for how small he is. He doesn't play a 5-foot-6 role. Some nights he looks like he's 6-2 out there. I try to get open for him, and it seems like he always finds me."

The Saskatchewan natives were teammates with the SJHL's Kindersley Klippers. Schwab has always been the one to get down to business, while Sim - a two-time winner of the Lake Superior State hockey team's Gay Blade Award -- is the free spirit.

"This is our seventh year together," Schwab said. "And we knew each other a couple years before that. We've come a long way. The friendship we've got - he supports me and I support him. We've been through good times and bad times together, in life and in hockey, and it means a lot. I'm kind of like his mom at home, and he keeps everything loose. He loves to have a good time."

Other than an on-going contention regarding who really scored a goal against Clarkson during the 2006-07 season, there is no argument that one usually has something to do with the other having success on the ice.

"I shot it, and it went in," Schwab said of the shot against Clarkson. "He claims it went off his hand. He took credit for it. I think it might have gone off his hand, but I never let him live it down."

Sim watched Schwab come to terms with his father's death, which occurred prior to them becoming teammates. Schwab helped Sim stay positive during a difficult 2007-08 season, which started out with him missing games in the fall when his father was injured in an accident and ended with a groin injury that sidelined him for six games.

"He's taught me so much over the years," Sim said. "He's taken care of me so well. I try to keep him loose, and he straightens me up once in awhile...We complement each other. Sometimes people don't realize how close we are. People think we're so serious. Together we have so much fun. We try to bring that as leaders, so everyone can feed off that."

Their close bond is evident to LSSU coach Jim Roque, who once asked them, in jest, if they plan to buy a farm in Saskatchewan and spend the rest of their lives together.

"Usually the first question people ask is, ‘What are you guys going to do next year?'" Sim said. "I just want to finish the season strong and play as long as I can. I'd love to continue to play with him. I'm sure he'll want to follow me around."

Schwab has been LSSU's captain for the past two years and was an assistant captain as a sophomore in 2006-07. He is a member of a unique fraternity. Archie Orazietti (1967-70), Jamie McDonald (1977-80), Mark Vichorek (1983-86), Jeremy Bachusz (2000-02), Nathan Ward (2003-06) and Schwab are the only Lakers who have worn a letter for three years. Orazietti, McDonald and Schwab are the only three LSSU players who have worn the "C" for two years.

"It's not something I would have expected," Schwab said. "It's a true honor, with the Laker tradition that it is. I will always remember this, for sure."