Maxim Štrbák

July 2024- Štrbák joined Michigan State University at the start of 2023-2024 and finished his campaign with two goals and nine assists in 32 games with the club. The NCAA rookie also represented Team Slovakia at the 2024 IIHF World Juniors, playing a significant defense-first, albeit two-way role with one goal and seven points in five games. He scored a goal and an assist in a 6-2 victory against Team Czechia on the group stage. He also assisted in the last-minute tying goal in the quarterfinals against Team Finland. He logged 25:59 of ice time in the match against Team Finland, more than any other skater on either team. His tenacious style of play was apparent throughout the season, as Štrbák used his quickness and grit to challenge opponents in his zone. He provides support in the offensive zone but does not yet assert control over the play when he has the puck. So far, His approach has been to remain simple in the offensive zone with shots to the net and efficient passes. He helped Michigan State finish first in the Big Ten Conference during the regular season. Štrbák and his club also won the Big Ten Tournament, defeating Notre Dame, Minnesota, and the University of Michigan. They were eliminated by Michigan a week later in the national NCAA tournament. Kevin Wong

June 2023 – Štrbák was selected 45th overall by the Sabres. Pat Quinn

June 2023 – Štrbák is a defenseman who has always played above his age, dating back to last year’s World Juniors. He was pointless in four games in the 2022 tournament, but managed to get on the scoreboard in 2023 with three assists in five games, as well as six assists in seven games as captain of the U18 squad which lost to Canada in the bronze medal game. His 18 points in 46 games as a rookie for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede are also worth noting.

No matter who he faces, though, Štrbák’s game does not waver. He is very consistent and dependable in what he brings to the table, although limited in what he does bring. He is a defence-oriented player with the main goal in mind to make it difficult for the opposition to set up shop in his zone. He is often found at the very end of the defensive formation, acting as a sweeper for any dump-ins using his solid footwork and edges. He can turn or stop on a dime, which helps him a ton on defensive zone retrievals, and he can more than hold his own physically, both in terms of technique and brute strength. Štrbák isn’t one to lower the boom every chance he gets, but when the need arises, he doesn’t shy away from a hit or two. Mainly, his defensive awareness, high-end scanning, and great skating do the work for him, and help him get sticks on pucks regularly. He fits the mold of a bottom-pair penalty-killing specialist at the NHL level, and his time at Michigan State will only further those abilities. If he adds some dare and offensive exploration to his game, he could slowly but surely develop the tools required to earn his fair share of points and perhaps work towards a middle-pairing role in the future. Hadi Kalakeche