Zach Lansard named Regina Pats rookie of the year

By every account, Ste Anne’s Zach Lansard had a successful rookie season with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League.

Lansard finished the season with 19 points while appearing in 54 games for the Pats and was named the team’s rookie of the year in advance of their final game of the season March 21.

Lansard explained it’s been a tough year physically at the team’s end of season media availabilities, as the 16-year-old had to get used to playing against players older and stronger than him.

“It’s a hard league, and if you’re not putting in the extra time it’s going to wear and tear on you,” Lansard said.

“It’s always a lot harder than you expect it to be, obviously.”

Lansard is part of a young core building in Regina, with the 2008-born forward noting fellow draft year player Cohen Klassen could have won the top rookie award if not for injuries.

“It’s obviously exciting, I think we have a really bright future,” Lansard said.

It was a massive bounceback year for Lansard, who only played 10 games for the Rink Hockey Academy’s U18 prep team last season while rehabbing an injury. He credited that rehab process for helping prepare him for the jump to major junior.

“(I’ve got to) get in the gym, get some food in me, gain some weight and just be stronger overall,” Lansard said on his off-season plans.

Kevin Lansard, Zach’s father made the trip out to Regina to present Zach with the award, before driving back through the night to take in game seven of the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals. Kevin manages the Ste Anne Aces, who won the league championship thanks to an overtime winner in game seven on home ice.