Steranka brings scintillating talent to Rebels lineup
By DANNY RODE
There are times when a team finds a hidden gem in the late rounds of a draft.
The Red Deer Rebels found one when they selected Steven Steranka in the seventh round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
Although he was a bit on the smaller side, that wasn’t the reason the talented winger slipped down the draft board.
“That year I broke my jaw and then broke my wrist, so I didn’t play many games and didn’t get much exposure,” explained the 17-year-old from Regina.
Even though he was listed as playing only 18 games that season, he scored 20 goals and added 14 assists, evidence of Steranka’s natural scoring touch.
“That’s always been my role,” he said.
He showed that ability at the Rebels camp last season and was signed before returning to the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA program.
“That gave me a confidence boost,” he added. “It helped coming into camp this year and knowing they wanted me.
“I knew the harder I worked the more chance I was going to get to make the team.”
Steranka put together an outstanding season with the Pat Canadians, scoring 34 goals and adding 28 helpers in 44 games to finish second in league scoring and earn First Team All-Star honours.
His season impressed the Rebels coaching staff and they brought him in to watch the playoffs. Then when they ran into a string of injuries, they dressed the five-foot-eight, 160-pound Steranka for their final game against Saskatoon.
That was a huge boost for him, especially seeing he missed the entire camp this year after undergoing an appendectomy three days before camp.
“Disappointing, and it was tough coming back because all the guys said how hard they had to work in camp. The coaches also said I had to work my way back into the lineup. But I worked my butt off to get back.
“Also, that one game I played last year in the playoffs helped a lot.”
He’s now played three games this season, netting his first WHL goal, and later an assist, Saturday versus Calgary.
“The puck went off my skate and behind their net, I was able to lift the defenceman’s stick and wrap it around.”
That impressed head coach Dave Struch.
“He’s a good little player who works hard and his offensive instincts are his best asset, as shown in the goal he scored,” Struch remarked.
Although he has already shown he can play in the league, Struch, and Steranka know he still has some work to do.
“Lots of growing, developing and learning for him to take ownership of,” said Struch. “Away from the puck the compete and battle will come for a young guy. He’s now practising every day with us and gets to be part of that preparation and the daily grind they put each other through.
“We’ll monitor it, and he’ll learn to do lots of what the others guys have been doing the past four or five weeks. He still has some catching up to do.”
Steranka knows it.
“This year I have to have that work ethic on pucks. Keep working and working to keep myself in the lineup. As a 17-year-old that’s the key this year.”
The Rebels announced two roster moves on Monday.
16-year-old goaltender Peyton Shore has been sent to the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
“As a 16-year-old he did a fantastic job … credit to him,” said Struch, who has probably the best tandem in the league in veterans Chase Wutzke and Rhett Stoesser.
“We want the goalies to develop the best they can and it’s the best thing for him (Shore) and for the organization moving forward.”
The Rebels also signed 18-year-old Jaxon Fuder, who was with the Powell River Kings of the BCHL. The Cold Lake native, who had two goals and four assists in four games this season, has signed with the Rebels and has been put on their roster.
The Rebels are close to being at full strength as they prepare to entertain the Vancouver Giants Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium and then travel to Medicine Hat Wednesday to face the Tigers for the fourth time in six games.
Forwards Kalan Lind and Kasper Pikkarainen and defenceman Hunter Mayo are listed as ‘day to day’ and close to returning, leading to some eventual tough decisions.
“But it’s a good problem to have in the games and a good one to have at practice,” said Struch. “The more guys we have at practice we can push and challenge them. The less guys we have we have to be mindful about their fatigue and focus.”
After the Rebels visit the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday they’ll play five games in nine days.
“We’re starting to be tested,” said Struch. “We’re in the routine of playing hockey during the middle of the week and there will be fatigue. We have to keep in mind doing it the right way with rest and recovery.”
