‘Suitcase’ would be an appropriate nickname for Calgary Canucks goaltender Lukas Renaud.
The 21-year-old was born in Montreal, but he and his family moved to Florida when he was five years old, and that’s where his hockey journey really started to pick up.
Since 2018, he’s played in Tampa, Toronto, back to Florida, South Kent hockey school in Ontario, Chicago, Cowichan Valley, Whitecourt and this year, he’s the number one goalie with the Calgary Canucks.
“I’m very grateful that Brad Moran, our head coach, gave me the opportunity to come here and take the job,” he said.
“We have a very good group of players, and we’re winning a lot of games, and we’re fortunate enough to host the Centennial Cup at the end of the year, so for me, it was a no-brainer to come play for the Canucks.”
Chasing his dream
Cruz Chase, 17, is the Canucks' backup goalie.
He didn’t have to travel nearly as far to get to the Canucks.
Chase is from Airdrie, and says he’s thankful he gets to play so close to home.
“It means a lot,” he said.
“I grew up watching the Canucks play at this rink – Max Bell. It’s just very personal to me. Also, it’s very nice being able to have my family come out to watch and support me.”
Dynamic duo
Renaud and Chase have been the dynamic duo for the Canucks this season.
Renaud is second in the league in goals against average at 2.25.
Chase is sixth with a 2.44 goals against average.
Chase has a 9-2 record and says Renaud has been a great mentor.
“He’s a great role model for me, being a lot older. We have a lot of chemistry,” he said.
“He has a lot of self confidence, a lot of positive self talk, which – as a goalie – is really important, and I think I can take and apply that to my game.”
Renaud is 15-7-1 this season, and says it’s been great working with Chase.
“We push each other in practice everyday,” he said.
“I think we’ve played really well this year and helped out team win games.”
Confidence in both goalies
Having two goalies that can get the job done is a luxury, according to head coach Brad Moran.
“It’s very important, and it shows the capabilities of both goalies,” he said.
“Also, the confidence our guys have knowing whoever is in net they’re can play a similar game and play the same way, and really trust them back there.”
The Canucks have a busy weekend with a pair of home games; on Saturday, they host the number one team in the North -- the Whitecourt Wolverines. Then on Sunday, they face off against the Devon Xtreme.
