Amy Laskowski, A Shining Star At Nazareth University

By Ross Forman
Amy Laskowski had a super sophomore season skating for the Nazareth University, which fell 4-0 to the No. 1-ranked University of Wisconsin – River Falls in the NCAA Division III Women’s Hockey Championship Game, the third-straight championship for the Falcons. 

Laskowski, 19, from Clarendon Hills and a 2024 graduate of Hinsdale Central, became the first player in Nazareth history to go over the 50-point plateau. She set the single season goal scoring record (25) and points record for Nazareth this season.

“It (was) a season that I will never forget. We accomplished so much as a team and as players,” Laskowski said. “We were undefeated till our UCHC Championship Game and were ranked the highest we’ve ever been in program history at No. 2 in the nation. 

“(Personally), it was a season that you wish you could have your whole career and something you’ll always look back on. It is truly an honor to have all these records that I recorded this season. I really couldn’t do it without my teammates. Hockey is a team sport and of all the points, there was someone who also got a point with an assist or a goal. Breaking all these records just shows the hard work pays off and it’s unbelievable that it is this early in my college hockey career.”

She added: “Scoring goals is always fun to do in hockey. You always dream that you have 100 goals a season as a kid but truly that is unrealistic. Setting the goals record was special, but it’s not something I could have done on my own. A lot of it comes from my teammates, creating plays, making passes and putting me in good positions to score. It was more of a reflection of our team’s success and how well we played together. I love to bury the puck in the net and seeing the record reflect on it is truly amazing.”

Nazareth finished 27-2-1.

“It was truly an honor and something I’m really proud of,” finishing this season with so many points, she said. “Having worked so hard and then seeing it pay off, both in my performance (and) production, it was an amazing feeling. It made all the early mornings, tough practices and sacrifices worth it. More than anything, it showed me that my hard work translates at the college level and gave me confidence in my ability to compete and contribute to my team.”

Her favorite moment this season was going to the Frozen Four, “an opportunity that many hockey players don’t get to experience,” she said. “It was an incredible experience and I (will) never forget it. It was also special that we were the first team in program history to go to it. Having accomplished so many things this season makes it so special.”

Laskowski started her hockey career playing on a boys’ team for the Chicago Hawks. She switched to girls’ hockey at age 10 for Team Illinois AAA and she spent five seasons there. She finished her youth career at the Chicago Mission. “When I moved to Mission my U16 year, I also started playing Illinois girls high school hockey for the Burlington West Grizzlies. 

“Illinois is one of the best hockey states in the U.S.,” Laskowski said. “A lot of talented girls come from the state, so it translates to how competitive games are especially in (the) state finals. Every game felt fast paced and intense, which forced me to make quicker decisions and play at a higher level. That environment helped me develop both my skills and hockey IQ. It also prepared me mentally, because playing in high-pressure situations taught me how to stay composed, handle mistakes and bounce back quickly. On top of that, it built my work ethic and discipline through demanding practices and balancing hockey with school. All of that made the transition to college hockey much smoother.”

Laskowski said the coaches she played for in Illinois “played a huge role in my development.”

“There are so many coaches who I’ve had that have helped me as a player and a person,” she said. “They pushed me to compete at a high level every day and held me accountable, which helped me build discipline and consistency. Beyond that, they created a competitive but supportive environment where I was able to grow my confidence. They also taught me the importance of being a good teammate and communicating on and off the ice. Overall, they helped prepare me not just for college hockey, but for handling challenges and expectations at the next level.”

Said Erin Rourke, co-director of the Mission girls’ program: “Amy is a complete hockey player, and effective at both ends of the rink. Her real strength comes out anytime she is around the opposing team’s net. She has an incredible knack for scoring goals. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her miss on a breakaway.”

Laskowski said her favorite Illinois game was the 2023 U16 girls state championship game three against Team Illinois. “It was a packed Mount Prospect Ice Arena and we went down 2-0 in the first period. We came back and took the game to overtime, eventually winning. It is still a game I think about and watch till this day,” she said.

“My favorite (Illinois hockey) moment would have to be beating Maine for the first time in high school hockey. It turned into a bit of a rivalry between our teams, and they had won every game before that, so it made the win even more meaningful. The energy in that game and the feeling after was something I’ll never forget. We were ready for the battle and it wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving to ourselves what we were capable of as a team and finally getting over that hurdle together.”

Asked about skating for the Mission, Laskowski said a fond memory was the club’s annual Pink in the Rink game. “I always have loved the pink jersey we wore for the game and throughout the month of October. It made the game feel bigger than just hockey,” she said. “It was a special event where everyone came together for a meaningful cause, and it was cool to be part of something that raised a lot of money and awareness.”

Laskowski said Nazareth was and is a perfect fit for her “because it offered me everything I was looking for when I was looking at schools,” she said. “It’s located in a cute town of Pittsford and there is so much to do around the school which was a need for me. Nazareth has such a great hockey program. They are a young team and are led by great coaches who fit what I look for in a coach. The team culture is amazing and I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to be on a team.”

As a Nazareth freshman, she appeared in all 29 games for the Golden Flyers, recording a team-high 16 goals and 29 points. She had three three-point games as a freshman and finished the season with four game-winning goals. She also earned UCHC Co-Player of the Year and UCHC Rookie of the Year honors.

“I was just focused on learning (as a freshman), working hard and adjusting to the pace of the college game,” Laskowski said. “I didn’t expect the results and acknowledgment I ended up getting in my first year, which made it even more rewarding. It gave me a lot of confidence but also showed me how important my teammates were in helping me succeed and adjust. Overall, it was a great learning experience that helped set the foundation for the rest of my college career.”

Her freshman run included a memorable game against Utica University, “a big game that determined who would be the regular season champion and host playoffs,” she said. “The game ended 1-0 after I was on a 1v1, toe-dragged the defenseman and went five-hole on the goalie. That goal was big because it made us league regular season champions and helped us win the UCHC championship since we played at home ice.”

Heading into her junior season in the fall, Laskowski is looking to build of the success of this season. “Going into the season as an assistant captain, I want to step into more of a leadership role by setting the tone every day in practices and games,” she said. “I want to be someone my teammates can rely on, both on and off the ice, and help keep our team connected and focused. I’m also looking to stay consistent in my play and continue improving the small details of my game. Overall, my goal is to help push our team to a higher level and build to the next step in becoming national champions.”

Slapshots With … Nazareth University star Amy Laskowski

One Coach: “The coach who really stands out to me during my career is Coach Bailey Coyne, an amazing role model and coach to have. She was both my Mission and high school coach, so I got to see her every day, which made a big impact on my development. She not only taught me the game of hockey and pushed me to be my best on the ice, but she also gave me a lot of real-life advice that I still carry with me. She emphasized hard work, accountability and confidence, and she always believed in me, which helped me grow as both a player and a person. She had a huge influence on my career and who I am today.”
Talking To Illinois Girls Playing Youth Hockey: “I would tell them to just enjoy every moment and have fun with (the sport) because it goes by fast. At the same time, don’t be afraid to work hard and push yourself, because that’s what’s going to help you grow. Illinois hockey is extremely competitive, so use that as motivation to get better every day. Also, don’t compare yourself to others; everyone develops at their own pace. Stay confident, be a good teammate and trust that your hard work will pay off.”
Hockey Goal: “To always have fun and push yourself. Make your younger self proud of you in your final two years of hockey and becoming a national champion.”
Hockey Role-Model: “Quinn Hughes, even though we are two different positions. I really admire the way he plays the game, especially his skating, vision and ability to stay calm under pressure. He’s not the biggest player, but he’s still able to make a huge impact because of his skill and hockey IQ. That’s something I try to bring into my own game, playing with confidence, making smart decisions and using my strengths that I have to help contribute to the team.”