News Feed
Lust has become an offensive luminary, thanks to his defensive diligence
CALGARY — As reclamation projects go, you might call this one Extreme Makeover: Trojan Edition.
Three years ago, Shane Lust was concluding his junior hockey career with the AJHL’s Calgary Royals as a gifted, dangerous, utterly one-dimensional forward. These days, Lust has his sights on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference scoring crown in men’s hockey . . . but he also uses the same area code as his goaltenders.
“He’s a reclamation project, to some extent, for sure,” says longtime Trojans head coach Ken Babey. “Shane has always been a good offensive player, but when he came to SAIT, he had to learn to play defence. He had to get used to an environment where hard work was demanded. He had to learn a two-way style, and he had to learn how to win.
“He started way back on the fourth line . . . and after three years, he’s one of the guys who, over my years of coaching, I’ve seen really develop into an even better player than when he first came here,” adds Babey.
“Shane’s a threat to score when he’s out there, but he gets that now from being so good on the backcheck. As long as he keeps defence in mind, that’s all I ask of him. Blue line in? Do what you want.”
The three-time defending ACAC champion Trojans (18-3-1) tackle the third-place Concordia Thunder (15-6-1) in a two-game twinbill this weekend, starting on Friday, Jan. 29 at Edmonton’s Clareview Arena and winding up Saturday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. at the SAIT Arena. Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on Revolution 103, SAIT’s campus radio station, complete with pre-game show 15 minutes before puck drop, at http://radio.sait.ca
As for Lust, he’s rocketed his way to the top of the ACAC production charts, with a league-leading 26 goals and 46 points. The 23-year-old Calgarian has managed that feat with at least two points in his past nine league games, including a five-goal outburst Jan. 8 vs. Augustana and a two-goal, four-point effort on Jan. 23 vs. Briercrest.
Lust, a SAIT business administration student majoring in finance, has done it by coming full circle – his offensive acumen a direct result of his defensive diligence.
“Ken’s taught me a lot. He’s taught me how to play defence, and I think that was my downfall in junior. I didn’t play on the defensive side of the puck,” says Lust. “Being such a defensive player now, helping out in my zone, it’s leading to a lot more offensive opportunities.
“Being an all-around player is a lot better than just putting up a point a game, and maybe being a minus player. Ken even trusts me on the penalty kill, and I’m getting a lot of opportunities shorthanded.”
Of course, Lust is also quick to credit linemates Mike Ullrich (2nd-year forward, Banff, Alta., hospitality management, BCHL Vernon) and Ryan Hyland (3rd-year forward, Okotoks, Alta., petroleum engineering, CIS York) for his offensive exploits. Ullrich is just a point back of Lust for the ACAC scoring lead.
“Mike and Ryan open up the ice so much for me,” says Lust. “I’m getting such good passes. If I find the open ice, it’s usually on my tape. So it makes it much easier, too, when your linemates are helping you out.”
Lust may be back for a fourth and final season with the Trojans in 2010-11, but he’s intrigued about taking his accomplishments and taking them to the professional level.
“I’d definitely like to,” he says. “I’m only 23, and maybe I’ll try a couple of years pro, either down south or in Europe. I’d definitely like to try Europe, because I think it’s more my game. There’s a lot more open ice. We’ll see how things turn out.”
