What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name “Nik Lewis?”

To be perfectly honest, it can be somewhat of a trick question.

For every person who mentions Lewis’ sure hands, there will be another who talks about his highlight-grabbing habit of hurdling defenders who make the mistake of coming in too low on a tackle attempt.

For every fan who raves about Lewis’ ability and willingness to dole out punishing blocks, there will be another who points to his bone-jarring ability to run over defenders who make the mistake of coming in too high on a tackle attempt.

That’s not even mentioning his unique personality and sometimes-confusing array of alter egos, one of the most recent of which is the artistically inspired “Nikasso.”

Truth of the matter is, Lewis is a hard fellow to pigeonhole.

He has neither the height — the stocky slotback stands 5-foot-10 — nor the speed you’d expect to see from a big-time receiver and yet he ranks 13th in CFL history in catches with 679 and 20th in receiving yards at 9,716.

With a freshly signed contract extension now safely filed away, he’ll get a chance to continue to climb up the charts in both categories.

He’s already locked into second place on the Stamps’ all-time list in both categories — Allen Pitts is the only man ahead of him — and, with 59 career touchdown catches, he’s now just three behind Tom Forzani for second place in that department.

Lewis has been a CFL all-star twice and a West Division all-star four times, but his early 2012 pace exceeds even those lofty standards. He leads the league in receptions with 43, in receiving yards with 484 and touchdown catches with seven.

“We lost some big-time playmakers and I just had to step up and make more plays,” said Lewis of his great first third of the season. “I’m getting more opportunities and I just have to continue to make plays when I get the opportunity. I’m enjoying playing with Drew (Tate) and Kevin (Glenn). I’m just loving life and loving sports right now.”

With the extension signed and sealed, Lewis will become one of select group of Stamps standouts whose Calgary career will last more than a decade.

“Since I first started, I’ve always wanted to be in Calgary,” he said. “I’ve said it a thousand times — I did not want to leave Calgary. I felt that if I did what I needed to do, (the contract extension) would happen. I’m just happy that we got it done. There was never a doubt in my mind it was going to get done, it was just a matter of when.”

Same goes with head coach and general manager John Hufnagel.

“Since I’ve been here in ’08, I’ve seen Nik Lewis grow as a football player and also in the leadership department,” said Hufnagel. “Nik has been a big part of this football team for a long time, and never more so than the start of this season. I don’t want to undermine what he’s accomplished before this year — he is one of the great all-time Stamps and believe me, I’ve played with and coached a lot of great receivers. Nik’s having a fantastic year.”

In regards to how much longer he’d like to play, Lewis — who turned 30 in June — has some criteria in mind.

“The way my body feels right now, without a major injury, I think I could play another five or six years,” he said. “I really feel that good. But I don’t think I will. I might play three more after this one. Then we’ll see. I hear it’s hard to walk away from . . . but I’ll only play if I can play at a high level. If I can’t play at a high level, I don’t want to play.”