Family support
Mitch Lutz is a graduate of Penticton Secondary High School, in Penticton, BC, where he was raised by parents Cameron and Lyn and grew up with an older sister, Raina. Family is very important to Lutz and he really appreciates the support he has gotten from his immediate and extended family, namely his grandpa, Vince.

The 6’0” defenseman has been playing hockey for 16 years now, but this is his first as a Briercrest Clipper. Lutz gained valuable experience playing junior hockey in B.C., Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, before coming to the ACAC. His most recent experience was playing Junior A in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

From Junior A to ACAC
Lutz played his last Junior A season with the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL, and says that a most memorable moment from that part of his career was the game he got a “Gordie Howe Hatrick” – which for those who don’t know consists of a goal, an assist and fight in the same game.

Lutz has had a big impact on the Clippers blue line so far this season, scoring his first goal in just his fifth game, when the Clippers were facing NAIT at home. That goal, along with tying Mount Royal University in their first game of the regular season, stand out for Lutz as the best moments of the 2010-11 campaign so far.

The offensive defenseman says that he “chose to come Briercrest because of the great opportunity I have here to continue playing hockey at a high level, and to grow in my faith and build my relationship with God.”

Hockey and business
So far, Lutz says he is really enjoying his opportunity here, and loves “being on a team with a great group of guys.”

Lutz is working on his four-year BA in Business Administration at Briercrest. He has future plans to combine his business and hockey experience.
“I want to go as far as I can with hockey, and to finish here with a business degree. My dream job has always been to coach or manage my own hockey team some day.”

Outside of hockey and academics, Lutz loves the social atmosphere at Briercrest. He loves life on campus, and says that he “enjoys hanging out with everyone in the best dorm at Briercrest – Sundbo.”

Some of his favorite hobbies are playing guitar and golfing. Lutz is also took the opportunity to raise awareness for “Movember” by growing what he says was the “second best moustache on the Briercrest hockey team.” He admits that teammate Craig Cornelsen’s was better, noting that “Corny’s was legendary!”