Westcott’s Rejuvenated Career Has LSSU Challenging for CCHA Title
by Tyler Kuehl/CHN Reporter
(photo: LSSU Athletics)
Since their stunning run to the MacNaughton Cup in the final men’s WCHA season in 2021, Lake Superior State has struggled to hang with the best in the revamped CCHA, finishing at the bottom of the standings last season.
However, one player is leading an experienced group back to conference title contention, while on his own path of redemption.
Jared Westcott originally committed to play at Penn State in 2019, and had some high hopes after joining Gus Gadowsky’s program. Unfortunately, things did not work out. Injuries hindered his production in his freshman season, and was held out of game action at the beginning of his sophomore campaign as he was deemed to be out of shape. Yet, Westcott was determined to return to the lineup.
“I had to go through a pretty extensive workout routine in order to get back,” Westcott said. “I had to work out every morning at 6 a.m., and then work out with the team at 7:30, followed by practice in the afternoon. Those were a tough couple of months.”
Even after returning to full form, the Imperial, Mo., native realized he needed a fresh start, since Westcott was unsure if he would be given another chance to play for the Nittany Lions. He decided to enter the transfer portal at the end of the first semester of the 2021-22 season. Lake Superior State saw something in him that enticed Westcott to head up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
“The No. 1 thing I wanted to do in college hockey was just play. Thanksgiving break was pretty hectic, getting calls from different teams and coaches, just trying to figure out where my next step would be.”
Westcott said he had a lot of dialogue with LSSU’s former associate head coach, and current Miami assistant coach, Zack Cisek, along with longtime head coach Damon Whitten.
“They wanted to reinsert the confidence in myself to be able to get into games, and to be able to affect games. That’s ultimately what drew me to Lake Superior.”
After a decent first full season with Lake Superior State, individually, senior Westcott and his band of brothers picked up confidence early on by beating the likes of Clarkson and St. Lawrence, before sweeping conference…
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