Professional hockey players typically begin their careers as rookies, continuously gaining valuable experience while striving to compete at the highest level. Eventually those rookies become veteran players, and embrace the privilege of instilling their knowledge onto others as their predecessors did for them. Once an impressionable rookie, Spencer Asuchak is now a veteran leader with the Allen Americans with two League Championships under his belt. As he continues to work hard on the ice and off, helping create a better life for his teammates, he once again finds himself labeled as a rookie, this time though in his pursuit of his post hockey career.
Spencer Asuchak was born and raised in Kamploops, British Columbia, and played his entire junior career in his home province after being drafted into the Western Hockey League (WHL). Asuchak spent four seasons split between the Tri-City Americans and Prince George Cougars, totalling 95 points during that span, including 36 in his final season.
Listed at 6’6 and 230 pounds, Asuchak describes himself as a two-way power forward, with traits that allowed him to become successful in such a physical league.
“I would describe myself as a true power-forward, someone that can play both the power play and penalty kill,” said Asuchak. “Based on my experience, the WHL is the most comparable junior league to the NHL because of the physicality and toughness within most players. It really allowed myself to develop and build upon my strengths, so I am very grateful for that.”
Although he went undrafted to the NHL, following his final year of Junior in 2011-12, Asuchchak aspired to continue his hockey career at the professional level. However, the NHL locked out its players prior to the start the 2012-13 season where players on NHL Entry level contracts could be permissibly assigned to the American Hockey League, causing a domino effect which left available roster spots a rarity to find. Asuchak landed with the Mount Royal Cougars in the Canadian University circuit. The opportunity to play with close friends and continue his development was hard to pass up.
“It was a new program in Mount Royal and some of my friends recently joined the team. The coaching staff seemed very interested in me as well, so it was an opportunity I was excited to be a part of. Calgary was a great city to experience, both on and off the ice. I took advantage of the opportunity and was fortunate enough to get noticed by some professional organizations throughout the season.”
Following one season with Mount Royal, Asuchak signed his first professional contract with the Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League (CHL), where he helped the team capture the CHL’s final President’s Cup Championship. Following that season, the CHL consolidated with the ECHL. Despite playing in a new League the following season, Asuchak’s success continued, winning the ECHL Kelly Cup Championship with the Americans for back-to-back Championships to begin his professional career.
“When I was first noticed by Allen’s Coach, Steve Martinson, I was given the opportunity to come into his organization and was taught how to thrive within my style of play. I was fortunate as that first year was when I truly broke out offensively (56 points in 66 games). Martinson allowed me to find out what type player I was and I have been working to succeed in that role ever since.”
The early success Asuchak experienced in Allen was not lost on him, especially given the veteran presence of players who helped with his introduction to the professional level.
“That first season in Allen, winning the championship, was probably the most fun that I have had playing hockey. With Allen being a small-market city, many did not expect us to win, which made it memorable. Playing with so many talented players like Darryl Bootland, Jamie Schaafsma, Trevor and Tyler Ludwig, and others was a great learning experience for me.”
During his second season in Allen, Asuchak also spent time in the AHL with the Providence Bruins and Worcester Sharks. Similar to his experience in Allen, Asuchak was met with immediate success in the AHL, registering three points in his first game with the Bruins. Seeing his career begin to grow and hard work paying off, Asuchak’s professional career began to truly progress.
“When I was first called-up by Providence, I didn’t really know what to expect. When I arrived, they had lost nine straight games and were looking to infuse some new energy into the lineup. We ended up winning my first game 3-2, and having three points that first game made it even better. While I may not have felt comfortable, it made me realize that I can compete at a higher level. I was building on my career, but unfortunately it becomes a numbers game with roster spots and contracts and I was assigned back to Allen.”
After returning to the ECHL and continuing to display his offensive prowess (30 points in 28 games), Asuchak was rewarded with a one-way AHL contract from the Chicago Wolves for the 2015-16 season, including an invitation to attend the St.Louis Blues training camp. After an intense summer of training, Asuchak finished top five in fitness testing among all players at the Blues camp and even notched a goal during an NHL pre-season game, assisted by long-time defenseman and PHPA Alum Jay Bouwmeester.
Throughout the next few seasons, Asuchak would continue to bounce between Providence and San Jose, even spending part of the 2017-18 season playing with HKM Zvolen in Slovakia, always looking to make the most of each opportunity while displaying his strength as a true power forward. But through it all, he returned to Allen at some point each season.
Having been in the same community for so long, Asuchak proudly calls Allen, Texas his home and cherishes the time he has spent in the city.
“The fans in Allen are amazing and I have built some really good friendships here. It is such a nice, clean community overall. The loyalty of our fans is something that cannot be beat in my opinion. Even with all the uncertainty in the world, we still feel the support, both in the arena and general community. I definitely feel a strong bond with this franchise and city.”
Now 30 years old and having gained valuable experience throughout his professional career, Asuchak strives to spread his knowledge to help not only his teammates but others throughout the league. Asuchak was named Captain of Allen three seasons ago, and more recently became the team’s Player Representative for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), an integral role that helps guide the PHPA in representing its Members. This position is something that Asuchak takes pride in on behalf of his teammates.
“When the opportunity became available to become the team’s PHPA Player Representative, I immediately jumped at it and was excited to do so. Being that support system for my teammates is so vital and is something I am proud to do. I had heard such good things about working with the PHPA as a Player Representative, so it was an easy decision for me personally.”
Asuchak has served as Allen’s PHPA Player Rep since 2019, where he has experienced first-hand the value that the PHPA has and the role they play in creating a better life for players. His commitment to the position led him to being appointed by PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon to the PHPA Executive Committee.
“Each year we try and work to get the players compensated better, have stronger benefits and create more opportunities to play, which has obviously worked out with the expansion into Iowa and Trois-Rivières. It is great to have the type of interaction that we as Player Representatives and Executive Committee members have with the PHPA staff and Advisors as well as other Player Reps throughout the League. Everyone works hard to be their team leaders and improve upon our benefits and coverage.”
Through communication with the PHPA and other players, Asuchak also learned about the Association’s partnership with FESTI (Fire & Emergency Services Training Institute), a course which prepares both current and former players in becoming firefighters. This, along with other programs offered by the PHPA through their Career Enhancement Program (CEP), allow for players to focus on their long-term, post hockey career aspirations.
“In my experience, the PHPA staff have always been reliable and work 24/7 to help with any issues or questions we have. Whether it be Baron and Matt in the Hockey Operations department or Paulette Salewski in Benefits, Darryl, Steve, Carol, or Larry we know that we are going to get an answer quick.”
While volunteering with Allen’s fire department, he now finds himself in a similar situation from years ago, playing the role as a rookie.
“While interning in Allen with the fire department, I try to come in and help wherever needed and learn as much as I can. It is definitely a different dynamic, being the rookie and learning from these experienced guys, then going to the rink and becoming the veteran presence again. However, the thing about firefighting is that it is very similar to being at the rink and part of a team; everyone is a family and works toward that common goal, so I am excited to eventually begin that transition.”
Once a rookie looking to prove himself as a dominant power-forward every chance he got, to a veteran Captain and off-ice leader who is still producing at almost a point-per-game pace (24 points in 26 games this season as of this writing), Asuchak’s hockey journey isn’t over yet by a long shot. However, when he is prepared to step away from the game, he will be poised to slot right in and once again become that veteran presence, just in a different uniform.