ROUSEK'S VISION PROVING TO BE VALUABLE ASSET FOR AMERKS
Nov 16, 2022By Suzie Cool
Rochester Americans forward Lukas Rousek has set out with a vision this season, already posting 11 points on four goals and seven assists through the first 13 games.
“There's a big difference from last year because I was out with injuries for 60 games, probably. So, this year, the coaches have really helped me and I play the first or second line,” stated Rousek when asked how he’s already made major offensive strides early on in the 2022-23 campaign.
In his first season with Rochester in 2021-22, Rousek appeared in only 19 games after recovering from an offseason injury, finishing with four points (one goal, three assists). Following the regular-season, Rousek went on to rank second among all Amerks rookies with two goals and finished third among all first-year players with six points in 10 Calder Cup Playoff contests during the Amerks’ run to the North Division Finals.
“My preference this year, and on this team, has been defensive and offensive. It's more looking to play all-around faster or go for the biggest chances,” explained Rousek when asked what his role is for this season.
However, Rousek forget to mention how his vision has played a major role in his offensive output this season. Vision might arguably be Rousek’s best offensive asset.
Especially when the young forward found himself in a little bit of a predicament last Wednesday against the Syracuse Crunch. While looking to seal the 3-1 win last Wednesday against Syracuse, Rousek was tracking down a loose puck in the left corner with Crunch defenseman Darren Raddysh in pursuit. As Rousek corralled the puck and swooped around the net to stuff-in his fourth goal of the season, Raddysh rocked the Amerks forward with a hit to the head.
“Nobody has a better vision on our team than Lukas Rousek,” stated Amerks head coach Seth Appert when discussing the hit on Rousek last week. “He saw him coming. He knew what was going to happen because Raddysh’s stick was up here. He wasn't making a play on the puck at any point. Lukas decided that finishing the game and winning the hockey game was more important than his own safety in that moment and what a gutsy play to help us win that game.”
Fortunately, the hit, which Appert deemed predatory in nature, wasn’t enough to keep Rousek out of the lineup and he immediately cleared concussion protocols the very next day.
With Rousek and his innate vision in the lineup every single night, the Amerks have managed to go 7-4-1-1 to start the season, which is good for second in the North Division, and has ranked seventh overall in the American Hockey League.
“It's a good start to the season for the team,” Rousek said when discussing the start the season he’s having.
Rousek was drafted in the sixth-round (160th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and signed his two-year, entry-level NHL deal with the organization on Apr. 20, 2021. After his output in last year’s playoff run, and now his hot start to the Amerks 2022-23 season, Rousek is making a case for himself as to why he’s ready to make the jump to the Buffalo Sabres this year.
This week, and for the second time this month, the Amerks will host the intrastate rival Utica Comets in the front-end of a home-and-home series beginning on Friday, Nov. 18 at The Blue Cross Arena. Game time is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start and will be carried live on 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester as well as AHLTV.