NCDC Commitment Profiles: Cyclones’ Lizotte Advancing To SUNY-Plattsburgh
By Alexis Demopoulos
With two full years of playing for the Northern Cyclones under his belt, defenseman Thierry Lizotte is excited to advance to the NCAA Division III phase of his career at SUNY-Plattsburgh for the 2025-26 season.
Lizotte, a St. Francois, Que., native, has played two exceptional seasons on the blue line for the Cyclones. During the 2023-24 season, Lizotte had 22 points in 44 games. This season in 53 regular season games, he had 26 points (6G, 20A) and was also selected as a New England All-Star. He helped lead the Cyclones to the New England Division title and the Dineen Cup Championship Series, scoring five points in 10 postseason games.
“I believe that playing for coach Bill Flanagan, who has over 30 years of coaching experience, is an incredible opportunity for any junior player,” said Lizotte. “I’ve built a great relationship with him and have a lot of respect for what he’s accomplished in the hockey world. The Cyclones also have Bill Weiand as their GM, and I know he has a talent for assembling a strong team, which is especially important to me as a 20-year-old junior player. Additionally, the Cyclones have an excellent rink and an even better gym, which help me continue to develop. That’s why I decided to come back this year.”
He also relished the opportunity to be a member of the Cyclones’ leadership core this season.
“As an assistant captain, my role is to support our captain in leading the team, ensuring we’re all on the same page, and fostering the right mindset. Jackson (Dickson) is one of the best leaders I’ve ever played with. He’s done a terrific job with our team, and he makes my job as an assistant so much easier.”
Right before Christmas, Lizotte began chatting with the SUNY-Plattsburgh coaching staff. He went to visit the school during Christmas break and everything took off from there.
“I believe the coaching staff was looking for a defenseman with strong breakout abilities, the ability to join the rush, and the skill to find shooting lanes through traffic,” said Lizotte. “They want their defensive core to be strong skaters and competitors, which aligns with my strengths.”
There were many factors that contributed to Lizotte picking SUNY-Plattsburgh. Their top-notch hockey program, close to his hometown, great academics and modern facilities were just a few of his reasons.
“SUNY-Plattsburgh has a strong hockey program with some of the best facilities in the NCAA,” said Lizotte. “I also believe their coaching staff will be a great fit for me, both on and off the ice. Academically, it’s one of the closest schools to my hometown. The university is known for its affordability, offering a high-quality education at a reasonable cost, which was an important factor for me.”
Before heading to SUNY-Plattsburgh in the fall, Lizotte plans to work hard this off-season as he knows the next level will be a great challenge.
“Skill-wise, I need to continue working on walking the blue line quickly and finding shooting lanes in the offensive zone,” said Lizotte. “Over the summer, the gym will be just as important if not more so than getting on the ice. It’s crucial to focus on improving my quickness, but also gaining strength, as I’ll be playing against older players. Lastly, I’d like to work on beating the first forechecker and making a strong breakout, as players will be coming at me harder.”
The NCDC congratulates Thierry Lizotte, his family, the Northern Cyclones and SUNY-Plattsburgh for his commitment.