Gabriel Szturc: Captain Gabby’s Return
The amount of ham and peanut butter sandwiches consumed by Kelowna Rockets players is sure to go up now that Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc has returned to the Western Hockey League Club for his final year of Major Junior hockey.
“I’m very excited to be back here with the guys to practice with them and get ready for this weekend,” said Szturc following practice on Wednesday in an interview with kelownarockets.com.
It’s not very often that you see a European import player return for their final year of junior hockey in North America when they have the option of returning home to play professional hockey. Just like any other overage player, there’s also the option that they could sign with an NHL team or an AHL team and not be returned for their final season of junior hockey.
The Czechia product recorded 41 points (16G, 25A) over 67 games as a rookie during the 2021-22 season. Last year he found chemistry skating alongside Andrew Cristall, nearly doubling his point total, posting 79 points (24G, 55A) over 56 games. Most figured that ‘Gabby’ would either be picked in the 2023 NHL Draft or sign a pro deal.
In Szturc’s case, after going undrafted at the NHL Draft in his final year of eligibility, he was invited to attend the Tampa Bay Lightning’s development camp in early July. He was then invited back to play for them in the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase, where he impressed and earned an invite to their main camp.
“I was happy that they gave me a chance and wanted me to come for the main camp. I was very glad that they saw potential in me, they gave me a lot of experience by having me there. I could see what it takes to be a professional hockey player in the NHL, what you have to sacrifice to get there. I also learned new skills on the ice and a couple of new exercises in the gym too. I can’t wait to use what I learned there here in Kelowna”
He was able to dress in two pre-season games for the Lightning. On September 27 he recorded 10:59 of ice time in the Lightning’s 2-1 overtime win against the Nashville Predators, two days later he dressed again for the Lightning, seeing 12:01 of ice time and posting two penalty minutes in their 4-0 win over Carolina.
“The hockey sense is on a very high level, they can see each other on the ice very quickly to quickly make a decision whether to shoot or pass. Obviously, it’s big speed as well. It was a lot of fun to play in those games and get a touch of the NHL.”
Following the Lightning’s game on the 30th, still unsigned, he was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. He appeared in one pre-season game, playing against the Rochester Americans on October 5th.
This past weekend he was released from the Crunch’s camp, an unsigned free agent he made the choice to play for Kelowna this season instead of pursuing pro opportunities in Europe.
“I’m very motivated for the season. It’s two seasons in a row we were eliminated in the first round against Seattle, it’s not ideal, we would like to make a bigger run than that.”
It was only fitting that the person waiting to pick him up at the airport on Sunday was someone that he credits with a big part of helping him adjust to playing in North America over the last two seasons.
“It’s nice to be back with my billet mom Debbie. She talks to my parents a lot we’re all very close. I walked out of the airport and she was there waiting for me, it was nice for her to be the first person to see me.”
He made it in time to play in Kelowna’s game against Victoria on Thanksgiving Monday, but due to the holiday his international transfer forms could not be processed.
The Rockets first European captain is eager to get on the ice and lead his teammates to what he hopes is a longer season than the last two he has played in, which will hopefully lead to a contract.
“My goal is to be the best version of myself on and off of the ice, to be a role model for my teammates. I want to make all of the parts of my game better, help the Rockets go deeper into the playoffs. Hopefully, at the end of it I get a contract and stay here in North America next year.”
Gabriel Szturc will make his 2023-24 debut this Friday against the Prince George Cougars. Tickets for Friday’s game and all Rockets home games are available online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office.
