After winning a national championship with his Compuware team, Nic Azarovitz took the plunge and entered his first season in the North American Hockey League with the Johnstown Tomahawks.
In his rookie season, the Michigan native helped on out a young blue line by carving his own path and learning the ropes in the premier Tier-II hockey league in North America.
In a season of peaks and valleys, Azarovitz learned many lessons that he will take into his second season with the Tomahawks.
“I’ve learned that it is a long season and that I’ve got to work hard and improve every day,” Azarovitz said. “It’s a great thing to stay positive too. Coming into my second year, I’ve developed a better skill set and that will help me a lot.”
In 2017-18, Azarovitz had to go through an adjustment period while playing for Johnstown.
“There was a different pace to the game and I had to learn to live away from home,” he said. “But at the end of the day it’s still playing hockey. I also grew up a little bit too thanks to the experience last season.”
Additionally, Azarovitz credits the Tomahawks and the fans for providing a nurturing environment.
“Johnstown is a great organization and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else,” he said. “The fans are great, and the community is great.”
Azarovitz is now a part of a veteran core that the Tomahawks will rely on this season. To prepare for Main Camp as well as the rigors of the season, he worked hard during the summer.
“I’ve been skating four days away and I’ve worked with a skill instructor and skating instructor,” Azarovitz said. “I’ve added more work in the gym as well.”
As day open comes to a close, Azarovitz commented that this year’s camp has plenty of talent.
“Competition was great out there,” he said. “There’s a lot of skill and speed.”