From Oswego State ACHA Hockey
OSWEGO – The Lakers ACHA Hockey Program and Head Coach, Travis Hyde, would like to announce that 2001 Defenseman, Ryan Lempicki, has committed to join for the 2022-2023 season. At 5’11 and 175lbs, Lempicki is a shifty puck moving defenseman with an offensive touch that will add some experience and poised decision making to the back end. The Auburn, Massachusetts native has spent the previous two seasons at the junior level with the Boston Jr. Rangers (EHLP/EHL) and the Columbus Mavericks (USPHL Premier) programs. During this time, Lempicki combined for a total of 29 points (11G, 18A) in 66 games played. Prior to his development at the junior level, Ryan spent time is the Islanders Hockey Club organization at the 18U AAA and Elite levels.
Joining Oswego does not come with unfamiliarity – Ryan will join 2 year teammate, roommate, and close friend, Bailey Doust. Doust had this to say on Lempicki’s commitment: “I’m excited to have Lemp join us next year. We’ve lived and played together for two years. Having each other to lean on should make the transition seamless.” Ryan will intend to study business at Oswego, a department that is well known for internship and job placement after college. With many of the returning players enrolled in similar programs, it should be fairly easy for Ryan to adapt to his new environment. “I chose Oswego because it felt like a great fit for me. After touring the campus and meeting most of the team and staff members, I could immediately see myself going there. I wanted attend school away from home so everything lines up to my wish list perfectly,” says Lempicki.
Ryan’s style of play should gel well with Head Coach Travis Hyde’s approach to NECHL and ACHA competition. “Ryan reminds me a lot of recent senior Jay Chapin. He’s not the biggest defenseman, but can play shifty and with poise to dictate the pace of play. When we need to play quick, he has the ability to join the rush and create offensively, but isn’t afraid to mix it up physically or block shots when necessary either. He has the ability to play in any situation, something that is always nice to have as a coach,” says Hyde. With a core group of offensive players returning for the 2022-2023 season, reliable defenseman on the back end has been crucial in Hyde’s recruiting. “As a coaching staff, we recognized a need for some experience defensively, specifically some guys who have progressed through the junior ranks and have been exposed to different levels of adversity. Mixing that with who we have coming back in defensive roles should provide us a reliable core that will be crucial into February and March as we make our playoff push. In losing a few key components of our defensive core this season, we needed to add some guys that can make potential immediate impacts and I feel Ryan could do that for us,” says Hyde.
This is the 2nd commitment at the defensive position for the Lakers this off-season. Chaminade High School standout, John Trum (2004, 6’2, 205lb) committed back in February.
(Originally published at http://oswegostate.pointstreaksites.com/view/oswegostate/news/news_539522)
