Lucas Condotta, a locker room and community favorite
By Justin Vézina
Which came first? The Rocket’s love for Lucas Condotta or Lucas Condotta’s love for the Rocket? It doesn’t really matter. All we know after the Ontario forward’s two full seasons with the Montreal farm team is that they’re a perfect match.
Since signing with the Laval team in March 2022, the man nicknamed Condo by his teammates has quickly established himself as one of the team’s leaders.
However, before the 26-year-old Canadian became one of the organization’s most vocal players, he too benefited from good mentors.
“When I first came here, there were a lot of guys who helped me and pushed me in the right direction. You can learn a lot from veterans who have been here before. In my case, a guy like Bourky [Gabriel Bourque] is the best example. When I arrived, he was the first to be there and talk to me. If I can have the same impact on a youngster, it has a big impact. Maybe he’ll be a little more comfortable, a little more involved in the dressing room or play a little better,” Condotta philosophized.
Condotta, who is always ready to cook a meal or drive around for a young player, is a key component of the team, according to Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle.
“He’s a player who can play in any position. He can be on the 4th line or higher up the lineup. He can play both wing and center, and he’s pretty physical. He’s like a Swiss Army knife,” praised the Rocket coach.
But his praise for No. 42 didn’t stop there.
“Above all, he’s a very good person. He’s a guy who is much loved by his teammates and a good leader. He includes all young people, all Francophones, all Anglophones and all Europeans. He doesn’t mind. Everything he does is for the team,” concludes Houle.
Committed to the community
Condotta’s involvement and good deeds are however not limited to the locker room and the rink. Even in his spare time, he makes sure to have a positive impact on his surroundings.
Indeed, Condotta consistently participates in community engagement initiatives. Whether it’s blood drives, hospital visits or Rocket programs such as Read for Fun and the Rocket Hockey Tour, the assistant captain is always there.
“I think it’s important to be active in the community. They’re the ones who support us. That’s why I think there’s always a way to give back or help out. And of course, being in the community and seeing the fans, being part of it is really fun. Kids often come up to me and say, “Oh, I remember you! You were at school or training”. It’s gratifying and I love taking part in these kinds of events,” said Condotta with a smile.
Proof of his involvement is that he has been nominated as the Rocket’s representative for the Yanick Dupré Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Laval community during the 2022-23 season.
Jean-François Houle was keen to point out another aspect that only reinforces the good impressions about the forward.
“It’s not always easy for an English speaker to evolve in a French-speaking market. But he really doesn’t mind. He’s always there for the team and to help out. And that shows the kind of person he is,” explained the tactician.
Even if he sometimes flies under the radar, Condotta, who is under contract for at least one more season with the Rocket, is undoubtedly one of the team’s key cogs.
