Chicago Wolves’ Jake Leschyshyn learning from father, experience

As he begins his professional career, rookie Wolves forward Jake Leschyshyn has a great resource in his family.

Leschyshyn’s father Curtis was a steady NHL defenseman for five franchises and appeared in 1,033 regular-season games over parts of 16 seasons. He also played in 68 postseason contests, including 17 for the Colorado Avalanche when they won the 1996 Stanley Cup title.

“I guess I’m pretty fortunate,” Jake Leschyshyn said. “He’s probably the biggest hockey influence I had growing up. Still, to this day, he’s always watching and giving me pointers here and there. I’m really thankful for that.”

Just 20, Jake Leschyshyn doesn’t remember much of his father’s playing career that ended in 2004 after a final season with the Ottawa Senators. But he was around Curtis Leschyshyn when he served as an assistant with the junior Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades.

And now, he tries to apply everything his father passes down. Some of the messages are about the fundamentals of hockey, but some cover other parts of being a pro.

“The biggest thing he’s taught me is just bringing a work ethic every day to the rink,” Leschyshyn said. “Every day is an opportunity to get better. That’s something I’ve made sure I’ve really taken from him.”

Picked in the second round of the 2017 draft, Leschyshyn played four years of junior hockey, mostly with the Regina Pats before being dealt to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in November of last year. He then skated in three regular-season games with the Wolves last season and appeared twice in the playoffs.

Through Wednesday, Leschyshyn had played in 25 games, scoring two goals and adding an assist in his first full professional season. Unlike last year when he was playing in junior hockey against younger competition, Leschyshyn is facing grown men and experienced professionals.

“My first pro year has been exciting,” he said. “It’s a big change from what I was dealing with last year and I think I’ve done a pretty good job so far. I’ve been happy with how I’ve played.”

On a team that’s so young, Leschyshyn isn’t the only Wolves player going through that process. He can bounce things off teammates who are experiencing the professional game for the first time and hear what they’re concerned about and what’s helping them improve.

“We’re all kind of in the same boat,” Leschyshyn said. “We’re all doing our best to learn. We’re all just working our hardest. I think that’s a pretty common theme throughout our team and that trickles down to the young guys. We’re all trying to get better here and I think we’re doing a good job of pushing ourselves to get better every day.”