‘Let things flow:’ Lausberg finds strength, peace in team-first mentality

“I first didn’t think it was real because it just seemed pretty out of the blue,” Lausberg said.

“That was a frustrating time and it was sad, of course, like I didn’t see myself leaving there and it was a good two years for me.”

Prior to joining the Pronghorns, Lausberg had considered trying out as a walk-on for the University of Saskatchewan. Because of that, she said, Huskies head coach Steve Kook sent her email shortly after the Lethbridge news.

“He mentioned another team had asked about me and asked if he could share my information, and then I kind of just hit him with, ‘Well, how is your team looking?'” Lausberg said.

The truth: Saskatchewan didn’t have much space. Still, Lausberg said she was in it for the long run and wanted to come.

Huskies forward Kenzie Lausberg receives her bronze medal from captain Bailee Bourassa at the 2022 U Sports Women’s Hockey Championship in Charlottetown, PEI on March 27, 2022. (UPEI Photography)

Fellow Calgarian and Pronghorn teammate Meg Dyer also found a home with the Huskies, joined by her younger sister Mallory who had previously committed to Lethbridge.

Lausberg played in one game during the 2021-22 regular season, which saw the team make it all the way to the U Sports women’s hockey championship in Charlottetown, PEI and win bronze.

Through it all, Lausberg was there — cheering on the team and doing her part.

“I’ve always kind of said that you can’t always be the best hockey player, but you always be the best teammate. Just being with the team is huge for me,” Lausberg said.

“Hockey goes a lot further than just playing. I like doing the volunteering and being in the community and just the little things, being at the rink, it’s something we take for granted sometimes, like the friendships you make and the people you see.”

Kenzie Lausberg actually scored her first U Sports goal as against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Oct. 20, 2018. Hers was the lone goal for Lethbridge in a 2-1 Huskies win. (Huskie Athletics)

Lausberg said last season was a good year for personal growth, adding she developed her skills, tried different things and overall felt less overwhelmed.

“Once Lethbridge was gone, I really saw that each opportunity is just something you got to have fun with, and it’s not as fun when you’re always stressed or worried about it,” she said.

“I just have learned to like let things flow. I think I’m a lot less anxious before games or not even anxious, but uptight.”

Her work on and off the ice has paid off. So far this season Lausberg’s played 19 games, enjoying more time on special teams showing off her speed and aggressive forecheck.

“It’s fun, of course, any chance I get I like to play. So that’s awesome,” she said.

“Getting an opportunity on the penalty kill and playing with different people. I’m just thankful for any opportunity, you know, not just playing, cheering, all of that.”

Kenzie Lausberg, pictured at five years old, grew up playing hockey in her hometown of Calgary, Alta. (Kenzie Lausberg/Submitted)

The move to Saskatchewan was also a transition academically for Lausberg, who started studying neuroscience in Lethbridge.

Now the 22-year-old is in physiology and pharmacology, with a minor in psychology. Lausberg is in her fourth-year of U Sports eligibility, fifth year academically, due to the lost pandemic season.

She told HuskieFAN she will be back playing in 2023-24, when Saskatchewan will host its first U Sports Women’s Hockey Championship.

“It’s super exciting. There’s a group of us that are my age now, so we all know that this is it,” she said.

“It’ll be a great thing for our team. I think we have a great facility, great team, great coaches and I think it all adds together to just make it an unreal experience before we finish our careers.”

Lausberg will be back in her hometown to close out the regular season this weekend.

The Huskies (13-10-3) visit the Mount Royal University Cougars (18-5-3) at the Flames Community Arenas Friday at 7 p.m. CST and Saturday at 6 p.m. CST.

Saskatchewan is currently ranked fifth in Canada West, with limited possibilities to still finish fourth and host a Canada West quarter-final at Merlis Belsher Place.

Whether at home or on the road, the Huskies will face the University of Calgary Dinos in the best-of-three playoff series on Feb. 17-19 as Saskatchewan is safe from falling below fifth.

Catch all Huskies women hockey games live and archived on the HuskieFAN app and at huskiefan.ca.

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daniella.ponticelli@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @dponticelliTV

by Daniella Ponticelli

‘Let things flow:’ Lausberg finds strength, peace in team-first mentality

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