In his first nine games, he literally has been “Johnny on the Spot.”

For the Colorado Eagles, signing Johnny Lazo in mid-January has been a great remedy for the team’s scoring woes this season as the 27-year-old Winnipeg native recorded nine goals in nine games, to go along with three assists for a 12-point start.

“I’ve always been pretty confident in my ability to contribute offensively, but I’d be lying if I told you I could have predicted the start I’ve gotten off to here,” Lazo said. “I give all the credit to my linemates, Kyle Ostrow and Darryl Bootland. I’m just the lucky guy in the right place at the right time.”

Lazo played five years of Canadian university hockey at the University of Alberta from 2009-14 and then began this current season playing pro hockey in Italy, a situation he said “didn’t quite live up to my expectations.”

The Eagles actually tried to sign Lazo at the end of last season, but he decided to stay in school and finish his degree. When the Italian experience ended, he and his agent reached out to the Eagles to see if they would still be willing to bring him in and sure enough, everything clicked.

“Everything with the Eagles organization is done first class, management treats us like true professionals and we’ve got a great group of guys in the locker room,” said Lazo. “Everyone gets along and we have a lot of fun being around each other, which I think is starting to reflect on our play as of late. I’m obviously very happy with how things have gone so far, but the most important thing is to not get complacent. It’s still early and there is a lot of hockey left to play.

“To me, the success I’m having now is great, but I’m happier that the team is doing so well and turning things around after a somewhat disappointing first half. I’m just hoping we can keep it going.”

Photo/Standout Imagery

— Matt Mackinder