Player Profile: Nick Le Sage
December 3, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
Nick Le Sage has made the big adjustment to the North American Hockey League look easy.
The 6' 2" defenseman from Green Bay, Wisconsin has made an impact with the Port Huron Fighting Falcons since their opening weekend, when he tallied a goal and an assist in a sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks that got Port Huron off to a great start.
While Le Sage says his first NAHL goal is the highlight of his year thus far, he knows that there are many other goals to accomplish before the season ends. His team currently holds a five-point lead in the North Division, and sits in second place in the league's overall standings.
Le Sage is one of three Fighting Falcons defensemen among the top 26 in the NAHL with ten points on a goal and nine assists. He's tied with Matt Jones for second in scoring among the team's rookies. Port Huron's balanced attack has been a big factor in their success through the first third of the season.
"We're winning a lot of tough, close games, and getting that kind of experience is going to be really valuable as the season goes on," said Le Sage.
Sixteen of Port Huron's 25 games have been decided by one goal, and the Fighting Falcons are 8-3-5 in those games. The team has already played ten games that have gone to overtime (5-5), with seven that have been decided in the shootout (4-3).
One of those close games took place Saturday, when Le Sage's career-high three assists helped the Fighting Falcons overcome a four-goal deficit to beat the Springfield Jr. Blues in one of the most exciting games in team history.
"I think the biggest factor in playing well in those close games, and in jumping out to a lead in the division is that we jelled together as a team really quickly," Le Sage added. "Everyone on this team gets along great on and off the ice, and that is a huge plus, and something that is not always a given."
The 19-year-old Le Sage was a sixth-round draft pick of the Fighting Falcons after impressing coaches and scouts at Port Huron's off-season tryout camps. Before joining the Fighting Falcons, he played with the Minnesota Iron Rangers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Le Sage had appeared in one game with the NAHL's Texas Tornado last season as well.
Le Sage says that his favorite thing about Port Huron so far has been spending time near the water, and passing by the big ships on the lake and the river on his way to practice every day. He has really enjoyed volunteering with City Recreation's Learn to Skate program.
With one year of junior eligibility remaining, Le Sage has his sights set on a Division 1 NCAA commitment. He doesn't often stray too far from his pregame routine of re-taping his stick, having a bite to eat and putting his gear on in the same order before each game.
"Sager" has been working hard on the ice since he started playing at age 3, and has no plans to stop.
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