Credit: Gord Rufh

By Marlon Martens

Pasternak, Royals Visit Winterhawks

Royals MVP Set To Face Former Club In Playoffs

Mar 26, 2024 | 8:35 PM

After a career season leading the team in scoring, forward Dawson Pasternak was named Most Valuable Player at the seasons end.

He was acquired October 5^th, 2023 and after missing the first five games of the season, he went on a five game point streak. Once he took over the scoring lead he never relinquished it, finishing with 72 points in 62 games, including 45 assists.

“They’re pretty cool, obviously you can’t win awards like that without great teammates and the way our team runs,” said the humble Winnipeg native, picking up the two trophies,

“It’s an honor to achieve those, but when it comes down to it, it’s just another award and right now we have a playoff series to win.” he said putting the team and the task at hand first.

The accolades weren’t something out of left field, as throughout the year Head Coach James Patrick often praised him as most valuable.

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“It’s not a surprise, but maybe more of a revelation.” Patrick was quoted as saying, as he was familiar with him prior, when his Ice would face Pasternak’s former Wheat Kings often last season.

“I knew he was a skilled player, good hands. I don’t think there are too many 20 year old’s in the league who have provided what he has. He’s been an offensive threat, plays two way hockey and when we went with 7 defenceman I could double shift him.”

Playing out of position and learning defense, was something that was a real challenge for him, just proving he’s willing to do what it takes to help the team win.

Since his arrival, rookie Cole Reschny’s play really took an upswing as well, kicking off a 14 game point streak.

“At the end of the day you guys that make plays, he’s led our team in that, a consistent producer and he and Cole Reschny have developed some good chemistry.”

The two are joined by another overage forward in Tyson Laventure, and the trio have provided much of the offense down the stretch, and will be pitted against Portland’s top two lines.

Victoria has earned points in a shoot out loss and an overtime defeat against Portland this year in their four meetings, causing the Winterhawks problems.

“We’ve had some pretty good match-ups against Portland all year. And we’re a good team. Don’t take us for granted and we are going to push hard.”

The Winterhawks, ranked 5^th in the CHL Top 10, are a team Pasternak knows well, as they were his first WHL club and he’s faced them a few times already and still knows several of their players quite well.

“It’s always fun to go back there and play, but my intentions going back there is to win some hockey games.” stated Pasternak with a business like attitude.

“We’re just going to work our hardest every single night. And it’s something that we can do really well is just compete and bring our best every game.”

The crowds in US buildings can get raucous, and Pasternak has witnessed first hand being the home team at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum with their passionate fan base and keeping the crowd out of it has to be key.

“It’s a great building, it’ll be really rowdy in there, and it’ll be exciting for not only Portland but for us too, playing in a building like that playoff time, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

It’s hard to believe but Pasternak has yet to suit up for a single WHL playoff game due to injury, after playing in over 150 regular season games and it’s been a major motivating factor for him all season.

“It’s very exciting. I’ve had a tough past obviously when playoffs have came around, so I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

Being a leader on the team, he wants there to be some moments of things being light, but at the same time he wants to keep everyone on their toes too.

“You never want to just take a day off and feel like everything’s going to come easy or if you want to take it light, like you want to have that little bit of a gut feeling like this is going to be hard, it’s going to be a battle and that’s something we’re pushing every day here.”

After the first two games down in Oregon, the series will shift to the Island for games three, four and five if necessary, in a 2-3-3 style schedule to mitigate travel expenses.

“It’s pretty interesting to have something like that, but if we can take at least one game out there in Portland and come home and play three. I think we have a really good shot at taking control of the series early.” said Pasternak who’s traditional playoff facial hair is starting to take form, after getting a head start,

“I really did think about getting rid of it but I’m cheating a little bit…I want it to look as best as it can grow long and full.”

Victoria has not seen a playoff game since 2019 due to the pandemic and two seasons where they didn’t qualify. The fans should be raging for post season hockey.

“I hope the city’s excited. They haven’t been in the playoffs in a few years now. So hopefully we can get this building pretty full and loud and bring a lot of support for us.”

Pasternak and the Royals face the Winterhawks in game one Friday night at 7pm.