From Humboldt, Saskatchewan to Tampa Bay, Florida, and the many destinations in between, Brad Lauer's hockey career has taken him to great lengths.

Growing up playing the game on weekends in Humboldt, Lauer has spent the past 34 years playing or coaching the game at junior and professional levels.

Lauer is among four individuals and one team who will be inducted to the Humboldt Sports Hall of Fame on June 24.

"I felt very honoured. It's something that - growing up in a small town, to be recognized, it's a special feeling and it was very nice to get a call like that," explained Lauer of the induction phone call he received.

Like present day, Lauer says that growing up in the community, the rink was always full of kids.

"There always seemed to be a lot of kids playing hockey. There were a lot of days spent at the rink in the winter, whether it was practicing or playing games on the weekend. You would play three or four games, which was a lot of fun."

Following 15 years of minor hockey in Humboldt, a changing of zones that saw the Midget team go from AAA to AA led Lauer to play for Notre Dame in 1981.

From there, he would move on to the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats before being selected in the 2nd round, 34th overall by the New York Islanders in 1985.

It was at that time that the kid from small town Saskatchewan thought he could follow in the steps of Hall of Fame goaltender Glenn Hall and make it to the NHL.

"Playing against elite players (in the WHL), I thought there was a chance. It's every kids dream to play in the National Hockey League and nothing is guaranteed," noted Lauer. "Probably when I was drafted by the (New York) Islanders my second year of junior, I figured, work hard and I would have the opportunity to get to where I want to go."

Lauer spent six seasons with the Islanders before being part of an early season trade that saw him moved to the Chicago Blackhawks, who would eventually lose in the Stanley Cup Final that year.

Over the next ten years, Lauer would suit up for various teams, including the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, and Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Cleveland and Utah in the IHL, where he would play until the league folded in 2001.

After his playing career spanned 19 seasons from junior to the pros, Lauer quickly turned his attention to coaching, landing with the WHL's Kootenay Ice for the 2002-03 season.

"It wasn't until later on in my career where a lot of coaches would ask me for advice while I was still playing about doing this, or trying this and they would use me as a sounding board," noted Lauer on his interest in coaching the game. "It wasn't until then - my last four years of playing - where I was thinking, maybe coaching would be an avenue I would like to get into."

Like his playing career, Lauer would continue a steady pace upwards, going from junior to the pros.

In 2009, he was hired by the Ottawa Senators as an assistant coach, spending two seasons in the Canadian capital.

Following three years in Anaheim, Lauer was let go after the 2014-15 season, but was quick to find more work, when the Tampa Bay Lightning - fresh off a Stanley Cup final appearance - hired Lauer as an assistant.

Currently in his second season with the Lightning, Lauer says that his hometown roots have helped him immensely.

"Obviously a lot of credit to my mom and dad, but there was a lot of people along the way in a small town that helped me coach, or guys I played with that helped me along my way," he explained. "I think that's what you get in a small town, is you get people helping and supporting you and helping you achieve your goal."

On June 24, Lauer will join a long list of other hometown heroes who have felt that support through their respective sporting lives.

More on the 2017 inductees can be found here.


You can hear more from Lauer below.