Q&A: Jared Lambright, St. Lawrence Recruit

Jared Lambright began playing hockey while in South Carolina. Eventually, his family moved to New York, where he spent a season at Shenendehowa High before joining Northwood. The defenseman recently committed to St. Lawrence University for the 2020-21 season.

Neutral Zone caught up with the ’01 to talk about his youth hockey journey, how he chose Northwood and more.

Neutral Zone: How and when did you start playing hockey?

Jared Lambright: I started skating when I was three years old on my cousin’s outdoor rink. I didn’t start playing hockey though until we had moved down to South Carolina. I was around five years old then.

NZ: What’s your earliest memory from playing hockey?

JL: I remember playing ball hockey in my basement with my dad when I was around four years old.

NZ: What was your youth hockey experience like?

JL: I played youth hockey in South Carolina, so we would play youth teams from all over the south. I eventually moved up to Clifton Park, N.Y. (near Albany) where I played a few years of AAA before attending Northwood School.

NZ: How did you end up at Northwood?

JL: I was seen at a New York State evaluation camp a couple of summers back by coach Chad Cassidy. I stayed in touch with him, making a few trips up to visit campus. I was set on the school after the first visit.

NZ: Take us through the NCAA recruitment process. What other schools were you talking to and where did you visit?

JL: I’d been talking to SLU for a bit of time now. Obviously, I toured there. I had been talking to a few other schools, mainly ECAC throughout this season.

NZ: What made you decide to commit to SLU? What went into that decision for you and your family to know it was the right place?

JL: After my visit I had my mind set that SLU was the place for me. The small school feel was pleasing to me, and to be honest, the whole atmosphere on campus feels like Northwood in a way. The academic side of my decision was super important to my family and I. The school fit those requirements. As for the hockey, I think the culture they have established at St. Lawrence speaks for itself. The fan base is incredibly loyal and the atmosphere at Appleton is like none other.

NZ: What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s given you in hockey?

JL: I think growing up, coaches always spoke about just trying to get as far as possible in hockey. That being said, when I first met with coach Cassidy, he stressed the importance of goal setting. I told him that day my goal was to play Division I hockey.

NZ: What are your best on-ice skills?

JL: I pride myself on my skating. As a small defenseman, I feel I use my feet to evade forcheckers and my vision to make crisp outlet passes.

NZ: What aspect of your game are you working on improving the most?

JL: I am always working on my strength. At my size I want to be as strong as possible. I’m always working on further developing my shot and skating, too.

NZ: Is there a professional player you model your game after?

JL: I like to try to play an offensive game. I really admire Kris Letang’s play.

NZ: Who’s been the biggest influence in your hockey career?

JL: My trainer during the summers, Pete MacArthur, who attended both my old high school and Northwood, has had a huge impact on my life. He’s shown me the ropes of how to carry myself on and off the ice in order to make it to the next level.

NZ: What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in hockey?

JL: I think my toughest challenge in hockey has been how to deal with my size. It’s been tough, but I’ve definitely learned how I can play to my strengths.