SUBMITTED PHOTO Tristan Strensrud plays for the Medicine Hat Cubs in this undated photo. The 19-year-old is back for a second season with the junior B team, which opens training camp tonight at the Kinplex.
Justin Seward
Alberta Newspaper Group
Bow Island’s Tristan Stensrud knew after last season he did not want to hang up the skates quite yet.
The 19-year-old recently committed to come back for a second season with the Medicine Hat Cubs junior B hockey team, whose main training camp starts tonight with more than 40 players expected at the Kinplex.
Stensrud wants to help build a team that stole a game from the high octane Cochrane Generals in the opening round of the post-season a year ago.
“We had a tough first game in the playoffs but we bounced back pretty good in the second one,” he said.
“Everyone showed up to play and one (moment) that brighten everyone’s spirits and made everyone think maybe next year we have a real good shot.”
His plan is to take on a leadership role once the puck drops on the season and be a role model for the younger guys that are coming in, while looking around to the other veterans for guidance.
“Everyone leads off of each other,” he said.
After finishing minor hockey, Stensrud took a year off of playing and decided to coach before getting the itch to put the gear on again.
The Cubs did a lot of shuffling in upper management in the off-season with new general manager Dave Kowalchuk and president Richard Fritzler. JD Gaetan returns as the head coach. Stensrud considers the moves to be a fresh start for the team.
“We definitely lost a lot of guys,” said Stensrud. “Lots of us are reaching out, trying to find new faces to come on board that have finished midget this year or last year. I know our GM, he’s been putting the word out.”
The GM is happy with what he’s got in Stensrud.
“Real classy kid,” said Kowalchuk. “I had the opportunity to coach his brother Tanner and no surprises. Two really quality kids coming from a good home. I’m pretty proud we were able to obtain him and we expect a lot of big things out of him this season (with) leadership, physical and even adding some scoring.
“He’s a franchise player and Bow Island, they did a good job of bringing him up through the hockey years. We’re excited to have him back.”
Kowalchuk pointed out that Stensrud drove in from Bow Island with a hockey net and shot around with fans during the team’s season ticket drive last weekend.
Cubs training camp runs through to Sunday at the Kinplex.
