Taking Liberties With… Lawson Crouse
LAWSON CROUSE
Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes
Hometown: Mt. Brydges, Ont., Canada
Acquired: Traded from Florida, along with Dave Bolland, to the Coyotes for a conditional 2017 second-round pick and a 2018 third-round pick on Aug. 25, 2016
Age: 20
Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?
Lawson Crouse: My first memory was a combination of getting drafted and then playing for the world juniors in 2015 (with Team Canada). Pretty amazing feeling to be on home soil in Toronto and Montreal. That was pretty fun and then the draft, also.
AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?
LC: Playing in my first NHL game and scoring my first goal. When you get to this level, there are certain things that you remember for the rest of your life. These are definitely some and I’ll carry for a long time. My first goal was against San Jose, but I don’t remember the goalie. Might have been Martin Jones, I don’t remember. (Ed. Note: Yes, it was Jones.)
AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you on and off the ice?
LC: My dad. He’s been there all the way up, and I wouldn’t be here without him. As much as he criticizes me to improve my game, he is also my biggest supporter. He’s a pretty straight-forward guy, and tells you how it is. Glad to have him around.
AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?
LC: You have to work hard. If you want to stay in this league, you have work hard each and every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s practice, a game, in the gym. You will not go anywhere if you don’t work hard, don’t have the right attitude and the heart that you need to put in the game.
AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?
LC: Probably golf right now. I do a lot of golfing. Growing up, I played baseball, lacrosse and golf. You get to that point in your career that you have to pick one. I went with hockey. When I go back home, I play softball in leagues during the summer and I’m always golfing.
AZR: Do you have any superstitions?
LC: Not really. I try and stay away from superstitions. I feel you can’t do something here or there, I try and stay away from it as much as I can. If I have a really good game, I’ll try and remember what I did, and what I ate and stuff like that. As far as superstitions, I really don’t do anything.
AZR: What does your game-day routine look like?
LC: Same game-day routine for me. I wake up at the same time, go to the rink, have a meal. Obviously, we have our morning skate and then come back. Right now, I’m learning how to play guitar. I usually play a little bit before I nap. Then, get a quick nap and head back to the rink for the game.
AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?
LC: Eat a lot of steak and we have a few guys always go out together. We kind of cycle through Dominick’s, Ocean Club, Preston’s and mix in True Foods. That’s pretty much it.
AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?
LC: I travel pretty light – underwear, socks, suits, garment bag. Depending how long the trip, a pair of jeans and a couple of T-shirts when we go out to eat. Mostly, we’re in a suit or golf shirt, so it’s pretty easy.
AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?
LC: My favorite player was Jarome Iginla. Back when he was in Calgary, I remember watching him a lot and loved the way he played. Good player and he plays tough. Just fun for me to able to watch him.
Photo/Norm Hall
— Compiled by Mark Brown