Austin Lotz’s passion for hockey started when he was about 3 years old, growing up in a hockey-themed bedroom. Today, he pursues his passion in an unlikely place, playing goalie for the Birmingham Bulls.
As a youth, Lotz’s world revolved around school and hockey. He spent his free time practicing, learning about players and playing hockey video games.
“When you’re born in Canada, hockey is the first sport you try. In the States, it’s football, basketball, baseball. … In Canada, the first sport is hockey. When I first started, I was good at it. From such a young age, that’s all I did,” said Lotz.
Finding his position
Playing goalie developed early, he noted. Everyone he played with was older and bigger, so when a childhood friend, Cole, told him to be the goalie, he became the goalie.
“[Being a goalie] became this thing that I liked; I was good at it; and it made the older kids happy, which made me feel good. It slowly spiraled into me actually going into organized hockey to be a goalie.
“As a kid, Cole looked like he was about seven feet tall, and there was no saying no to Cole, so I have him to thank.”
Though some of his best memories during five years as a professional have been on the bus rides that can last up to 10 hours, the close contact can cause conflict between the 20-plus people on board.
“Among players there can be [friction], but there’s such a respect for one another and for the game that [if] you go at each other a little bit, when it’s all said and done, you’re hugging it out. You’re loving each other more than you’re not,” Lotz said.
Faith strengthened
Because of the fighting associated with hockey, one might assume there aren’t many Christians in the sport. But in Lotz’ experience that is incorrect.
“I would say that easily half [are Christian],” he said.
Lotz grew up in a Christian family and was baptized at age 10. However, his family wasn’t very involved in church, and it wasn’t until he met his wife, who was more in touch with her faith, that something changed.
“I do know [that now] I have my faith in God,” Lotz said.
Because it’s difficult for professional athletes to regularly attend church, some teams have chaplains who provide spiritual encouragement and guidance. Lotz and his teammates love having a chaplain who always has a listening ear.
“For the most part [the chaplain] is someone to have to talk to about life. Knowing he’s a man of faith brings a lot of comfort,” Lotz said.
Church nights
The Birmingham Bulls have WDJC Church Night up at their Pelham home rink. Church night will be April 30, and that night, there will be a trading-card giveaway for the first 1,000 fans.
Lotz loves the Bulls’ Church Nights.
“I believe that hockey is a game of discipline, a game of hard work,” he said. “It’s a game that you don’t have to have a respect or understanding for going into it – you just see the effort that the guys are putting into it. You enjoy it while you’re there and you walk away from it with a respect for it. Anytime you can get youth or church groups to our games is awesome.”
The biggest negative stereotype of ice hockey is the fighting associated with the sport. However, learning the reason behind it can change that perspective.
“Hockey is the only sport where they let the guys fight. [Fighting] remains in hockey because it’s such a fast and dangerous sport. It’s so easy for somebody to hurt somebody in a very bad way,” Lotz explained.
“Fighting comes in as a response from a dangerous play or player to say, ‘Look, you can’t do that to our family. You’re not gonna hit my guy from behind and put his life at risk, so I’m now gonna answer the bell and fight you so that you don’t hurt us,’ Lotz said.
“If you take the act of fighting out of the game, you put everyone at risk of dirty players and dirty plays because they would not have to answer the bell to a fight. [This] could lead to many more serious injuries.
“More often than not the fighter on the team is not only the nicest guy on the team, he’s the most respected. He’s willing to fight and protect and risk his health for his family, for his players.
“Hockey has taught me respect. It’s taught me discipline. It’s shaped who I am today,” Lotz said. “Whatever you do in life, it leads you to your destiny. I’m not saying that your life is already planned out, but I do think that there’s a plan for you. I’ve been very blessed.”
For more information about the Birmingham Bulls and Church Nights visit bullshockey.net.
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