Sasha "The Basha" Lakovic (Serbian: Саша Лаковић / Saša Laković; September 7, 1971 – April 25, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and occasional actor. Over a long playing career he suited up for numerous teams across several leagues and became known for his physical style of play and willingness to protect teammates. His career included time in both ice hockey and the 1990s boom in professional roller hockey.
Career overview
Lakovic played for around seventeen professional teams during his career, appearing in multiple minor and major professional leagues. He is frequently associated with a brief stint with the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League, which is the highest level of competition in North America and the club with which many fans most closely associate him. In addition to traditional ice hockey, Lakovic also took part in roller hockey competitions during the mid-1990s when that sport attracted professional interest and new teams.
Playing style and role
Lakovic built a reputation as an enforcer: a player whose primary responsibilities include physical play, protecting teammates, and responding to on-ice confrontations. Enforcers are often tasked with deterring rough or illegal play by opponents, and they draw attention for fighting, heavy checking, and taking penalties on behalf of teammates. Those characteristics shaped how Lakovic was used by coaches and perceived by supporters and opponents alike.
Though frequently recognized for toughness rather than scoring, players like Lakovic filled a defined role on rosters across professional hockey and related variants of the sport. For readers seeking general background on the sport he played, see resources on ice hockey.
Acting and media
After his playing days, Lakovic explored opportunities in film and television. He secured a small part in the 2004 Walt Disney feature Miracle, portraying Soviet player Boris Mikhailov in scenes that re-created elements of the famed 1980 Olympic hockey rivalry. This brief acting role was one of several public-facing projects he pursued after leaving full-time competition.
Beyond acting, former players often remain involved informally in hockey communities as mentors, guests at arena events, or local figures; Lakovic's presence in several markets during and after his career kept him connected to fans and former teammates.
Illness, death and legacy
In October 2016 Lakovic was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He died from the illness on April 25, 2017 in Vancouver at the age of 45. His passing prompted remembrances from former clubs, colleagues and supporters who recalled his combative playing style and the personality behind the nickname "The Basha" or "Pitbull."
- Nicknames: "The Basha," "Pitbull".
- Teams: Played for many professional teams across leagues; most widely remembered for a stint with the New Jersey Devils (Devils).
- Other sports: Participated in professional roller hockey during the mid-1990s.
- Acting: Small role in the film Miracle as Boris Mikhailov.
- Health: Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016 and died in 2017.
Lakovic's career is an example of a professional athlete whose impact was measured less by statistical totals and more by toughness, team role, and the connections he made in multiple hockey communities. For additional reading on the role of enforcers and the history of roller hockey during the 1990s, consult broader sport histories and archival team records.