Lobsinger joins Firebirds as scout
Lucas Lobsinger’s new job gives him the best of both worlds.
The 35-year-old Thorold resident was looking to add to his resume, but not at the expense of his business or family.
So when the Flint Firebirds offered the former Niagara IceDogs netminder a scouting position, he jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve had some opportunities over the last couple of years but this one really made sense in terms of it wasn’t on the coaching side, it was more on the scouting side, so I could do it more around my business,” Lobsinger said.
Lobsinger, who operates Lobsinger Goaltending, will be responsible for scouting potential goaltenders for the Firebirds.
“It’s something a little different. It’s a new challenge and the big thing is with a young family and with how well the business has gone the last few years, it’s something that allows me to continue to grow on that side of things and not take over the way a coaching gig can do sometimes,” he said.
Lobsinger comes to the Firebirds with an impressive background. He was the goaltending coach for both the men’s and women’s teams at Brock from 2015-20. He also played for the Mississauga/Niagara IceDogs from 2005-08 and became the IceDogs goaltending coach during the 2014-15 season after a stint as Brock’s assistant coach for two years. He also was the goaltending coach for Team Switzerland at the 2016 U18 World Championships.
“I’m excited to be back in the OHL,” he said. “I’m even more so to be working with one of my students. Nate Day is there and I’m excited to be part of his development on the same team. That is pretty cool.”
Day, a native of Grimsby, had a solid season with the Firebirds last season and was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 2023 National Hockey League draft.
Lobsinger is eager to get started in his new role.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it. It will maybe be a little busier of a winter in terms of some of the Friday and Saturday nights I did have free when I wasn’t coaching anymore. Now, I’ll just be out scouting on those occasions.”
He plans to hit up all of the most important U16 tournaments to get a handle on potential draft selections.
“It’s the U16 draft and having a goal guy on staff to help see things from our perspective a little bit. As everyone knows, we are different. As the season goes on it will be more and more critical. It builds as the season goes on leading up to the draft,” he said.
Lobsinger has some limited experience in scouting.
“At Brock I was in charge of recruiting on the goaltending side of things and then the year with IceDogs, Marty (Williamson) was great. We had a goalie scout and we are still close friends and we did it all together as the goalie scout and coach. Marty trusted our opinions on who we wanted to take,” he said.
The Firebirds are happy to have Lobsinger on board.
“We are excited to be adding Luc,” Flint General Manager Dave McParlan said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at the goaltending position, and will fit in well with our scouting staff.”
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