BUFFALO – What Sabres prospect Max Strbak accomplished as a true freshman at Michigan State is a bit unusual. Most defensemen don’t step into a major program and make an immediate impact at 18.
The Slovak played a significant role as the Spartans won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.
Naturally, some physical elements – for example, his 6-foot-2 frame and stellar skating – helped him quickly adapt to college hockey. So did his ability to stay true to his identity.
“He knows what he is,” Buffalo development coach Zach Redmond told the Times Herald.
So, what kind of player has Strbak developed into? Redmond said he’s “a defender you want playing for you when the game’s on the line.”
“He has some offensive capabilities, for sure,” he said. “But his defending is great, and he’s just aggressive, he’s in your face. So all the things kind of together, already having a little bit of that physical package and the speed and then enough skill to keep up, it was a pretty smooth transition for him.”
Strbak’s in-season improvements aided that difficult transition. Redmond said the youngster took advantage of Michigan State’s resources and packed on a whopping 13 pounds of muscle during the season. He has added five pounds this summer. The school lists him at 205 pounds.
“We’ve just seen him grow,” Redmond said.
Strbak, a second-round pick in 2023, 45th overall, showcased growth on the ice by improving his skating during the season.
“It’s not typical to see skating improvements that quick, and especially over the season,” Redmond said. “Sometimes a kid has a growth spurt over the summer, gets a lot stronger and comes back a lot stronger and you can see his skating improve. But it was happening for him kind of as the season went on, which is really cool.”
Strbak’s maturity ranks as one of his top assets. His father, Martin, a former defenseman, played 19 years of pro hockey, mostly in high-level European leagues. He spent one season, 2003-04, in North America, playing 49 total NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Redmond can see Martin’s influence in Max.
“He’s a disciplined kid and wants it bad, comes from a good background (because) his dad played and you can tell this kid’s got kind of a special polish on him that others might not,” he said. “So he’s committed, determined, he’s put the work in, he’s got better. It’s a guy you want on your team.”
Michigan State has improved dramatically over the last two seasons under coach Adam Nightingale, who served as the Sabres’ video coach for two years under former coach Dan Bylsma.
Prior to Nightingale’s arrival, the Spartans endured seven consecutive losing seasons.
Strbak, who compiled two goals and nine points in 32 games last season, credited Nightingale and his staff for helping him acclimate to college hockey.
“They’re doing a very good job with everybody, with the way we practice, and it’s given me a lot of confidence when we practice,” Strbak said July 1 in KeyBank Center following a session of development camp. “And I can see that turning into games more and more, and I think that’s what made an impact.”
Michigan State refused to make Nightingale available to speak to the Times Herald.
Clearly, Strbak, who speaks five languages, has adjusted well to a new culture and different brand of hockey. Still, it takes time to adapt.
After he came to North America in 2022 to play for the Sioux Falls Stampede, a junior team in United States Hockey League, Redmond said he grew close to his billet family.
During his visits to East Lansing, Redmond, who played 120 NHL games, including three for the Sabres, said he could feel Strbak getting more comfortable.
“I’m sure there was some adjustment, but he handled it great,” Redmond said of the adjustment to college. “… Just as a person, high, high character. He checks all the boxes. “And, obviously, he’s a high draft pick and top prospect for us. There’s a reason for it. He’s a great kid, he’s a great player and he has no shortage of work ethic.”
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