Yorkton Harvest winger Lynden Pastachak has been lighting up goaltenders left and right in the Saskatchewan AAA Midget Hockey League this year, posting 15 goals and 31 points throughout 27 games.
"My pregame ritual is always the same and I think that helps me in games," says Pastachak, who was listed by the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels in the offseason. "I've also been in the right place at the right time and have got some juicy rebounds and nice passes."
Harvest head coach Jeff Odgers credits Pastachak for more than just his scoring success. He has noticed the Bienfait, Sk., native playing a big role in the defensive side of the game.
"He has scored a lot of key goals for us, but he does more than just score goals," says Odgers. "He plays hard in his own end and helps us transition the puck down the ice."
The 5-foot-11, 150-pounder partially credits his breakout season to growing as a player at the Rebels training camp in September.
"It was a good experience," says Pastachak. "It definitely has helped me grow as a player. It is a lot faster in the WHL, so that helped me with my speed a bit."
Pastachak, 16, has also been feeling the benefits of the work he put in during the offseason on improving his skating.
"I went to Regina for a power-skating course," he said. "That definitely helped my stride and skating. I think I'm faster this year and a smoother skater."
Pastachak's improvements in his game haven't gone unnoticed by his head coach.
"He has been a more complete player for us this year," says Odgers. "He has been doing the little things for us that maybe aren't noticed that often, but help us out a lot."
With 15 regular-season games remaining on the schedule, Pastachak isn't going to focus on scoring more goals, rather he is going to set his attention on helping the seventh-place Harvest, who have an 11-14-2-2 record, make the playoffs.
"We all really want to make the playoffs," he said. "I'm just going to focus on helping my team win. The goals will come with wins."
It seems this will be Pastachak's last season in Yorkton. He is aiming to make the Rebels next year, with the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League as his backup plan.
"I'm aiming for the Rebels," he said. "I guess if I don't make it the Bruins would be my next option. But the Harvest is still an option."
