Springfield Alternate Captain Laus Makes NCAA Commitment

The Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Niko Laus has committed to play NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the WIAC.

The 6-foot-1 lefty from Belle River, Ontario, Laus will join the Blugolds this upcoming fall. Laus is a third-year veteran of the Jr. Blues, being drafted by Springfield in the 2023 NAHL Entry Draft in the eighth round. This past season, the 21-year-old played 48 games with the Midwest Division team, recording 20 goals and 13 assists. He ranked second on his roster in goal-scoring and in the top five of offensive production at 33 points in the regular season. Laus was effective on special teams, scoring 11 goals on the man advantage and two on the penalty kill. In addition, the Ontario native featured four game-winning goals for the Jr. Blues.

His work on the ice earned him a spot as a Top Prospect at the annual Top Prospects Tournament. Laus competed against the best uncommitted talent in the NAHL while representing the Midwest Division.

In the ‘05 forward’s 2024-25 campaign, Laus laced up for every regular season contest with the Jr. Blues, being one of six skaters on the roster to do so. The 6-foot-1 lefty registered 29 points, tallying 17 goals and 12 assists for the Midwest Division team. Just like his age-out season, Laus was one of the top goal-scorers on the Jr. Blues. The veteran ranked third on his roster during the 2024-25 season in goal-scoring. Two of his tallies were game-winning goals while four were scored on the power play.

In his NAHL debut season, the 6-foot-1 skater wore the Springfield sweater in 51 games. Laus logged nine points during the 2023-24 season. He lit the lamp five times while registering four assists for the Midwest Division team. He scored his first game-winning goal and short-handed tally in his NAHL career.

For his junior hockey career in the League of Opportunity, Laus played 158 career games as a Jr. Blue. He scored 42 goals and notched 29 assists in that span for 71 career points.

Laus is one of 11 members of the Springfield Jr. Blues to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list