By Warren Kozireski–
At the “halfway” mark of the college hockey season (the December semester break), Canisius College junior and Lancaster native Dylan McLaughlin is more than on his way to a career-best season.
Leading the nation in points per game (1.67) and top-ten in assists per game (.93), the 5’11” left wing was well on pace to beat his sophomore season totals of 14 goals and 19 assists over more than double the number of games.
He entered the holiday hiatus on an 11-game point streak.
“I think a lot of guys are playing well right now and, as a line, I think we’re connecting really well.
“I worked (on his skating this summer) right here at the Academy of Hockey on skating, skills, shooting—honestly it was a huge help for sure.”
McLaughlin left Buffalo and played four season in the USHL—one with Sioux Falls and three at Cedar Rapids where his best season featured eight goals and 39 assists. With 11 goals and 25 points over the first 15 games this season, those marks are likely to fall.
“His skill and ability are through the roof,” first year head coach Trevor Large said. “His skating has really improved and is something that he focused on in the summer.
“It’s obvious that his skating is elite and (in) the tight area plays he is really difficult to take the puck off of, so those things combined make him a great weapon.
“His ability to read a play and beat you to the left or beat you to the right is two things—it’s his skating, skill and ability and that combination is pretty deadly right now.”
McLaughlin was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Month in October and received another weekly honor from the league in November the same week he was the NCAA Third Star after a four-goal, five point weekend.
Canisius entered the break in first place three points ahead of second in the Atlantic Conference.
“This is where we wanted to be and we knew we could be, so we have all these returners and some good freshmen who are mixing in perfectly,” McLaughlin said. “It’s almost the halfway point so we haven’t really done much yet, but it’s definitely a good start.”
