On January 21, 2006, former Laurier Golden Hawk captain Nick Vukovic was called up to the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lowell, which is the primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL), solidified their defense corps by adding the former Golden Hawk captain.

The call-up ended a turbulent couple of weeks for Vukovic as just one week ago he was traded by Carolina's primary affiliate, the Florida Everblades to their archrivals the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). However, rather than report to the last place Ice Pilots, Vukovic opted 'to not' report and wait for a better option. The gamble paid off as Vukovic jumped to the AHL from the ECHL, which is one step closer to realizing his dream of playing in the NHL. "It has been a very up and down couple of weeks for me," said Vukovic, who was having a banner season with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL.

"The trade took me by surprise as everything was going extremely well. I wasn't sure as to how things were going to turn out but I remained optimistic a new deal would evolve. My goal at the start of the year was to take a legitimate shot at the AHL and Carolina has given me that chance to show them what I can do. All I want to do is continue to play sound defense and help this club down the stretch."

Vukovic, had a stellar career with the Golden Hawks from 2001- 2005 and decided to turn pro after graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University. During his career with the Golden Hawks he was Captain in his senior year and twice made the OUA All-Star team. His first All-Star nomination came in 2001 and his second in 2004.

Vukovich on commenting on his success said, "This year I just wanted to take a shot at the AHL. It has been a long time goal of mine since I entered the CIS to play pro. I felt that going to school after 4 years in the OHL permitted me to grow as a person and as a student-athlete. There are many hockey players that played in the CIS and are now competing very well in the pros. I think in the next few years there will be more players that take a legitimate shot at the AHL."

Vukovic's former coach and current Golden Hawk coach Steve Martell says that the signing of his former Captain will pave the way for other players. "Nick worked extremely hard last year and this year. He has been a great leader for our program and for his ECHL team. He expressed early on to me that he wanted to make the AHL. It is nice to see his hard work and commitment pay off. He really deserves it. The better Nick does in the AHL, the more doors it will open for other members of our program and league that want to pursue pro opportunities after they complete their university degree."