QUEBEC CITY. P.Q. – Most American Hockey League players who make the jump to the National Hockey League do so on the basis of offensive production. Nt so Tyson Strachan. The fifth-round selection of the Carolina Hurricanes began the 2007-2008 seasons with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. Strachan made is NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues this year when he was recalled from Peoria Rivermen in December 2008. With the AHL team last season the defenseman played 34 games, tallying one goal and two assists. The Melfort, Sask. found himself back in Peoria this season until a mid-December recall. He played 29 games in the AHL, scoring two goals and three assists. But Strachan’s presence is felt off the scoresheet. His smart, physical play and decision-making with the puck makes him a valued asset.
“He is a great story,” said Peoria head coach Davis Payne. “He is a guy we looked forward to having back. He came in and worked hard. He has a big physical body and plays very, very smart, making good puck decisions and is very good open passer.”
Since being called up last December, Strachan has stuck with the NHL club, except for a brief demotion to Peoria for one game against the Quad City Flames on Feb. 22.
“With the opportunity in St. Louis he worked extremely hard and earned the opportunity to stay”, said Payne. “He came down for one game and now he’s back up, and we don’t know when we will see him again.”
Payne believes that Strachan can be a regular defenseman with the Blues in the near future.
“”He needs to get stronger but it’s something that it is certainly within his control and the rest is the stuff you can teach,” Payne said. “St. Louis played good hockey over last month and a half, and he is part of that.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound blueliner could evolve into the kind of defensive defenseman who will take care of his own zone without putting his team in trouble.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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