Jiri Fischer explained.
"It just gives you a daily purpose because there's so much hockey to be played," he said. "They skate all year long now and I think it really puts in perspective, 'Are you achieving something?' I think the sooner kids can learn that there needs to be a purpose every day, the better off they'll be.
"That was one of my dad's philosophies as well (Jiri Sr.). He'd ask me, 'How was practice?' You'd give a description and he'd say, 'OK, what did you work on?' A lot of kids don't have an answer and if you don't know what you're working on, you're kind of a passenger to your own path. So taking ownership and taking responsibility is a point where you start becoming more focused."
Lukas considers himself a two-way defenseman but having more of an impact in his own end. He watches a lot of Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller. He wears jersey No. 13 because of former Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk.
"I'm pretty physical and take a lot of pride in the defensive zone, but I also like to contribute in the offensive end as well," Fischer said.
Fischer, No. 55 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, is fifth among Sarnia skaters in scoring (34 points; six goals, 28 assists in 68 games) leads the team's defensemen in assists, points and power-play goals (four). He said he'll never forget representing Team White in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 24, an event his father once participated in before being selected by Detroit with the No. 25 pick in the 1998 NHL Draft five months later.
"We tried to do the best for Lukas, nurturing and pushing at the same time," Jiri Fischer said, "and mom always has a good feel for if he's getting a little tighter or he's getting a little burned out, so she knew the right balance. She's a fantastic mom. It's important for everyone to have their own safe home, and that's what Lukas has."
Lukas Fischer credits Sarnia coach Alan Letang for all the work he has done in his development.
"The coolest part is he's so busy and he still takes the time to help me out a ton; always doing video with me," he said. "He's always got advice from the bench, and if something's not going my way, he's helped me mature and grow into a leader. All the things you need as a hockey player."
PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically)
Hagen Burrows, RW, Minnetonka (HIGH-MN): The right-handed shot was the recipient of the Mr. Hockey Award given to the outstanding senior high school boys' hockey player in the state of Minnesota this season. The 18-year-old (6-1, 174), committed to the University of Denver in 2025-26, had 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists) in 28 games at Minnetonka and has 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and three power-play goals in 21 games with Sioux City of the United State Hockey League, where he'll likely spend 2024-25.
Colin Ralph, D, Shattuck-St. Mary's (HIGH-MN): The 18-year-old, who is committed to St. Cloud State in 2025-26, plays an honest, tough game along the blue line. A true defensive defenseman in every sense, Ralph (6-4, 216) has 56 points (five goals, 51 assists) in 50 games with the Minnesota prep school. No. 46 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, he's built like a young Jack Johnson, the 18-year NHL veteran who played at Shattuck in 2002-03.
Will Skahan, D, USA U-18 (USHL): Skahan (6-4, 209), No. 58 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, is considered more of a defensive defenseman. The 17-year-old, committed to Boston College in 2024-25, has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 48 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team.
