Garren Lazarraga '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Garren Lazarraga. I am 15 years old, and a freshman at Grant Community High School, in Fox Lake, Illinois. I currently play for the Vipers Hockey Club U16 AA program. I consider myself to be a team player, and I strongly believe that the team should always come first before yourself. I am very committed to this sport. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my game, whether it be by watching training videos on YouTube, or by watching NHL games on TV, and analyzing how the players compete. I have very good work ethic, and always give 100% in practice and weight training, each day and everyday. During games, I make sure to leave everything on the ice before I step off it. I'm not afraid to get gritty and be physical, despite my size. I do, however, consider myself more as a skilled sided player. I have very good hockey sense, and I can see the ice well.

Hockey plays a big role in my life, and is in almost everything I do.  When I first started in 2013, it took a lot of effort to finally convince my parents to let me play hockey. My family has no history, whatsoever, in this sport. I started playing 2nd year peewee, on a local house team. This is obviously relatively late compared to everyone else. However, I did not let this stop me from becoming the best player I could be. I quickly improved, after all the hours I put into training, and in 2 years time, I started playing AA travel hockey for the Vipers, starting my 2nd year bantam. I captained my team that same year. Now, I am a 1st year midget.

Continuing to play to the next level had always been a dream of mine. I want to play hockey at the most competitive level I can, for as long as I can. I am open to any opportunity to play hockey during my years in college. I just want to make sure I can keep playing the game that I love.

As far as academics, I have always been a very good student. I carry straight A's, and had maintained these grades for as long as I could remember. I realize the importance of education, and do take it seriously. However, I am still unsure of what career I would like to pursue in college. I want to ensure that I am making the right choice for my future.