WHL Winnipeg Ice

Staying the Course

April 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release


In an era when some are looking for short-cuts, a quick route to stardom, there are still those willing to put in the time and effort to earn their place on a bigger stage.

Winnipeg ICE defenceman Mike Ladyman is one of those patient, persistent types who has taken - as someone once described these types of career arcs - the long hard road to overnight success.

CHARTING A COURSE

Chosen by the Regina Pats in the fifth round of the WHL Draft in 2016, Ladyman could see the Pats were building their team to compete as hosts of the 2018 Memorial Cup and felt his options as a young player might be better elsewhere.

The Pats obliged and the two went their separate ways, but within a matter of days Mike's rights were snapped up by the Spokane Chiefs.

A step in the right direction for the Winnipegger who'd had his sights set on a WHL career for years, but went after it with no guarantee he'd get there.

MJHL OPPORTUNITY

As a 15-year-old, Ladyman put together a strong season with the RINK U-18's paving the way to climb the ladder to the Junior A level the next campaign.

Working under veteran coach Billy Keane, Mike excelled as a 16-year-old with the MJHL's Winnipeg Blues playing 60 games and recording 23 points.

"That was great for development for me," Ladyman said by phone from his dorm room at the University of Regina. "That was a big goal of mine. I really wanted to make the next step and play junior hockey and I just thought the MJ would be a great stepping stone for me. Not going into the WHL right away, kind of working my way into it."

INTRO TO THE DUB

The slow and steady approach continued to pay off for Mike in his 17-year-old season.

After attending camp with the Spokane Chiefs, he returned to the Blues and proceeded to show just how far his game had come.

Soon Ladyman's strong play, combined with the Chiefs losing players to injury and World Junior commitments, led the eastern Washington-based club to put in the call for the hard-working Manitoban and he was off to Spokane for his WHL debut.

"That (opportunity) helped me a lot, especially with top-end talent like Ty Smith (New Jersey first-rounder). Being able to practice with him every day, you definitely learn a lot of things from him being such a great player."

Mike played 22 games for the Chiefs that season, recording his first two Western League points, before finishing out the campaign with the Blues and compiling 28 points in 26 outings.

HOMECOMING

Life works in mysterious ways, and things took another turn for Ladyman prior to his 18-year-old season when he was informed the Chiefs were trading him.

"I woke up to a voice message from my GM in Spokane telling me I'd been traded. So, I was a little nervous at first, when he first told me that. But when he told me it was to Winnipeg, I was very excited!"

Not that long before, playing in the WHL in his hometown wasn't an option for Mike, but now here he was 'suddenly' set for the best of both worlds.

"My parents, and both sets of grandparents, are at every home game," said the Fort Garry resident. "It's definitely nice seeing them in the stands."

As fate would have it, the first full season for the ICE in the Manitoba capital became Ladyman's first full season in the WHL and in 54 games he picked up 13 points including his first goal.

HAPPY IN THE HUB

Fast-forward to the Subway East Division Hub and Ladyman has been making the most of the opportunity to get back into action.

Determined to build his role on the team as a 19-year-old, Mike trained hard earlier in the pandemic and then when injuries hit the ICE he was more than ready to do his part.

"Obviously it's very unfortunate, especially with a shortened season and so many games," said Mike of the losses of Carson Lambos and Nolan Orzeck. "It's never good for the team, but that just means other guys have to step up."

With ten points in 16 games Ladyman is putting his continual development to good use for the ICE as they enter the final stretch of the 2021 season.

Yes, somehow what seemed to be a lengthy Hub stay is already nearing an end.

"It seemed like a long time at the start, but it's definitely gone be extremely quick. It's sad that it's coming to an ending this fast," said Mike of the East Division's protected environment set-up.

Then the guy who's taken a big-picture approach to working his way up in the game added a big-picture point of view of the whole experience in Regina.

"There's not many leagues that are even playing right now. So we're definitely lucky to even be playing this game," offered Ladyman before expressing his focus for the remaining days in Saskatchewan. "Just being grateful and having fun with it."

Hey, it's that kind of outlook that's carried Mike this far - why change now?

Check out the Winnipeg Ice Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central