Wyatt Schlaht, a Brown University commit, has been noted for his speed and edgework, as well as, having character and leadership abilities on the ice. The 2000 got his hockey start in the mountains of Vail, CO on a family trip when he was 5 years old. When he returned home he was hooked. Having grown up in a big football family, he would be the first hockey player.
At the young age of 11, after playing a season for one of Colorado’s only AAA teams, Wyatt made a pivotal decision. His family packed up and moved to Massachusetts so he could continue to pursue his hockey career. After realizing how few opportunities there were compared to more eastern areas and the travel involved, the Schlaht’s moved across the country. Wyatt looks back on the move with admiration for his parents, both Colorado natives, making a sacrifice like that for him. Moving together as a family to help ease the transition, Wyatt would play for the Boston Jr. Eagles until he reached high school.
Wyatt would attend 8th grade at St. Sebastian’s School located in Needham, MA while still playing for the Jr. Eagles. He made the St. Sebastian’s hockey team his freshman year and intended to play there all four years of high school. The summer before his senior year, Wyatt started communications with the coaches and GM from the Lincoln Stars; a USHL team located in Lincoln, NE. After daily phone calls with Lincoln staff and and an entire month of conversations with his parents, Wyatt signed. He originally had every intention of going back to St. Sebastian’s for his last season, but decided this was best for his development moving forward.
Once again Wyatt packed up and moved, this time half-way across the country, to Nebraska. He is 1 of 3 players on the team still going to school. A Catholic education is very important to him, and he is finishing his high school education at a Catholic school in Nebraska. He noted that this helped make the move a little smoother, since starting a new school your senior year is a bit unconventional. While it was hard to leave teammates at St. Sebastian’s, he is not too homesick and maintains his focus that hockey comes first.
Wyatt is very excited about his commitment to Brown University in 2020. The biggest factor in his decision to go to Brown was education; Wyatt likes the prestige that Ivys’ have to offer. In addition, he liked the coaching staff’s vision for the team, is excited about each new recruiting class, and the team’s development and where he sees himself fitting in there. Wyatt had several offers from other Ivy League schools, as well as, NCHC and ECAC teams. Additionally, he chose Brown because of the proximity to his home in Boston and was attracted to the campus in Providence.
He was recruited to Brown as a true freshman for the 2019-2020 season, but thought it best to play another year of Junior hockey. He had already left high school a year early and came to the conclusion that, “maturity-wise, size-wise, game-wise, there were no down sides to finishing out this year in Lincoln and then playing one more year [before heading to Brown].” He brought this to his future coaches and they told him there was a spot for him on the 2020 roster. Wyatt commented on his development so far as, “just scratching the surface.” He is in no rush and wants to be an impact player at Brown from day one.
Wyatt talked about life after hockey, he enjoys math and is leaning towards majoring in Economics. He likes the lifestyle of a family member working in the financial sector, who mainly hires college athletes. He is attracted to working with people with a similar mindset. Athletes are competitive and are always looking to get better; “they know how to find that extra gear.” Whether it is in a shift, a season, or coming back from an injury, knowing how to fight adversity will stay with you long after your hockey career ends.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
