Just like most Ottawa Senators fans, Curtis Lazar listened closely Monday to what new head coach Guy Boucher had to say.

The 21-year-old centre/right winger came away impressed with the words from Boucher, as well as the unbridled enthusiasm from general manager Pierre Dorion.

“I’m ecstatic to be able to work with him,” Lazar said from his summer home in Kelowna, B.C. “He seems like a passionate guy and when you hear all the confidence that management has for him, it puts you at ease as a player.”

Specifically, Lazar found it refreshing to hear Boucher talk about the importance of hearing from players first hand, to understand what makes them tick, in order to get the most out of them.

“To me, it’s about connecting, it’s about finding out what I need to activate, not what I think is their motivation,” Boucher said during Monday’s press conference.

“Whatever I can do to go figure out something that’s going to help the player get an edge and find a way to improve, I do it. That’s where it starts.”

Those were words that struck a chord with Lazar. Last season under former coach Dave Cameron, Lazar’s head was spinning from being moved up, down and around the lineup from centre to right to left wing, uncertain about his position or role from game to game. Lazar scored six goals and 14 assists last season, only a mild offensive improvement from the six goals and nine assists he scored during his rookie season in 2014-15. But he also felt he did his best to answer the challenges of filling different defensive roles for Cameron.

“At times (last season), the communication between management, coaches and the players could have been better,” Lazar said. “I have a lot to prove and I want to do everything I can to show that.”

The added bonus for Lazar is seeing Marc Crawford on the staff as an associate coach. Considering that Boucher talked about giving Crawford specific tasks, it’s no stretch to think Lazar could also be spending a lot of time with a guy he watched so closely during his formative years.

As a B.C. native, Lazar grew up as a Vancouver Canucks fan. From ages three to 11, Crawford was the mainstay as Canucks head coach.

“It’s great having him on board,” Lazar said. “I grew up while watching Crawford coach my team. He had already won a Stanley Cup (with Colorado) before I even knew what that was.”

Add it all up and Lazar is as enthusiastic as he has ever been about the future of the Senators.

“After the year we just had, I want to win,” he said. “I’m champing at the bit. I already want the summer to be over.”