Playoff ‘thorn,’ switches sides to Steinbach Pistons

If there were any questions the players on the Northern Manitoba Blizzard made an impression on the Steinbach Pistons during last year’s seven-game Manitoba Junior Hockey League semi-final series, that was put to bed at the Canadian Junior Hockey League trade deadline, as head coach and general manager Paul Dyck picked up Sam Zagari.

Zagari scored two critical goals for the Blizzard in last year’s series, including a game winner with under a minute left to give the Blizzard a 2-1 win in game five in La Broquerie.

His other goal may have been just as memorable in that series, roofing a puck past Cole Plowman from an impossible angle with a perfect shot. The Pistons are hoping he’ll have just as many great post-season moments this year when he pulls on a Steinbach jersey.

Dyck called Zagari “a gamer.”

“He was a thorn in our side (in the playoffs), so when the opportunity arose to acquire him, we didn’t hesitate to make an offer,” Dyck said.

“He adds experience and plays a gritty/skilled game and we felt he would be a great fit with us.”

The 2004-born Zagari has 25 points in 35 games so far this season, serving as his team’s captain.

It took a strong offer to lure the captain of a second place in their division team away from Northern Manitoba, as the Pistons needed to send 2006-born defender Aaron Krstanowich the other way.

Krestanowich spent all of last season and the start of this one with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League. The left-shooting defenseman had 10 points in 25 games for Steinbach this season before the trade.

That move was made possible after picking up another 20-year-old, Matthew Munro. The Swan River product spent two seasons playing for his hometown Stampeders before heading to the States to suit up for the North Iowa Bulls of the North American Hockey League this season.

Munro is now back in the MJHL, after Steinbach sent future considerations to the Stampeders, who are in the basement of the West Division.

“Munro is a big body (defender) that is hard to play against and has 120 games of junior experience,” Dyck said.

“He keeps his game simple and brings leadership and stability to our back which we will benefit from.”

Dyck was happy with the deadline acquisitions, noting both are “high-character,” players who wanted to play in Steinbach.

The Niverville Nighthawks were busy as well, nabbing 2006-born goaltender Jake Torget from the Langley Trappers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League, while sending out 2004-born Connor Graham to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, gaining and handing out a player development fee in both deals.

“Torget is a highly skilled goalie and we were able to get younger at the goaltender position,” Niverville general manager Mike McAulay said after the deadline.

“Overall, really happy with the additions and definitely wish Graham all the best in Lloydminster.”

The Nighthawks also added 2004-born defender Henry Smith from the Nipawin Hawks for a PDF, with McAulay citing his experience and physicality as key attributes which drew the team to him.

McCaulay noted the team would have been looking to add another forward, but with Sean Williams returning to Manitoba, they were set up front for the playoffs.