Varga thrown into the fire as rookie
Steve Varga is getting a baptism by fire in his rookie season with the Peterborough Petes.
The plan this season was to bring 16-year-old rookie blue-liners Varga and Trevor Murphy along slowly. They began the season alternating in the sixth and seventh roles. When they got in games they played primarily against opposing third and fourth lines. The transition to junior is toughest on defencemen.
Injuries to Slater Koekkoek, Connor Boland and Clark Seymour changed those plans. Instead of third and fourth liners, Varga has been lined up opposite some of the OHL’s premier players like Tyler Toffoli, Mark Scheifele and Christian Thomas. He’s playing a regular shift and penalty killing.
“It’s certainly physically demanding,” said Varga, before practice Wednesday as the Petes prepared to host the Barrie Colts 7 p.m. Thursday at the Memorial Centre. “They’re a lot bigger and faster. You do your best in the gym and in practice to keep up with everyone and do your part.”
There have been nights when the young defencemen have been taken advantage of by opposing players but there have been nights of success, too.
“Going up against a lot of good players is a good lesson to learn,” said Varga, the Petes’ second choice in May’s OHL draft. “You never know what they’re going to do so you have to figure out who is good at what and what they’re going to do, analyse them a bit, and play your hardest against them.”
Varga says adjusting to the speed is the biggest challenge he’s faced but he’s also feeling more confident as time has passed.
“The more I play the more I feel like I deserve to play,” said the six-foot-two, 191-pound Varga.
Petes’ coach Mike Pelino said circumstances haven’t allowed for a more moderate adjustment for his young defencemen. It has both pros and cons.
“The good thing about a player getting opportunities like that is he’s forced to play against some of the other team’s best players and some situations he hasn’t had much experience in, yet, and he’s going to gain experience,” said Pelino. “The downside is he is put in a vulnerable position when you sometimes don’t have the option of matching him up against the other team’s weaker players.”
Pelino said Varga’s maturity has helped him through the highs and the lows.
“He hasn’t let it crush him or when he’s had success it hasn’t gone to his head,” said Pelino. “He continues to gain confidence as he’s able to succeed at this level, even as a 16-year-old. It should bode well for him going forward. He’s a big body who is stronger than he realizes. He has the ability to be more physical than he is right now. When he turns that corner and understands he can physically compete with these players, it’s going to really increase his confidence and allow him to reach a whole other level.”
NOTES: Clark Seymour was cleared Wednesday to begin skating as he works his way back from a shoulder separation. Petes’ coach Mike Pelino said he hopes Seymour can return for a northern road swing next week. Luke Hietkamp (ankle) is expected to start skating early next week… The Petes visit the Kitchener Rangers Friday and host Belleville Bulls 2 p.m. Sunday.
Story Courtesy of [email protected]
