ST. PAUL, Minn. -- For Charlie Stramel, the opportunity to play for the Minnesota Wild is a dream come true.
That's only natural, considering the 21-year-old forward was born in St. Paul.
But if Stramel wants to make that dream a reality, he knows he's going to have to make a statement when training camp begins this week.
"That’s for sure a goal of mine,” Stramel said last week during the team’s prospect camp. “I’m going to have to bring it in camp and hopefully show them what I’m capable of.
But at the end of the day, if it doesn’t happen right away, it doesn’t happen right away.”
Stramel (6-foot-3, 212) was selected by the Wild in the first round (No. 21) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Following two seasons at the University of Wisconsin, where he put up 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 67 games, he transferred to Michigan State University, where he was able to take his game to another level.
As a senior last season, he set career highs in goals (19), assists (25) and points (44) in 37 games, resulting in him being named to the All-Big Ten First Team. However, his collegiate career ended on March 28 when he broke his ankle while blocking a shot against his former team in the NCAA regional finals, a game the Badgers won by rallying for a 4-3 overtime win against his Spartans.
Stramel said he's been on the ice without limitations for the past two months and is 100 percent healthy heading into camp.
“This is the biggest jump yet, for sure, jumping to that pro level,” said Stramel, who signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on April 6. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and opportunity.”
Brad Bombardir, Minnesota's senior director of player development, said Stramel is on the cusp as far as being ready for the NHL.
“We always tell our guys, if you want to come and make an impression and try to make an impact early, it’s up to you,” Bombardir said. “We’ll do everything we possibly can to give you that opportunity.
“But once you step on the ice with those NHL guys, it is up to you. Because the National Hockey League, it’s a monster, right?”
Bombardir added, though, that the work Stramel put in during his time at Michigan State has prepared him to face that monster.
“He’s a different player and he’s a different person than he was a couple of years ago,” Bombardir said. “Good on him.”
After prioritizing getting healthy in the offseason, which Stramel spent mostly at home in Minnesota, he spent three weeks in August training at Michigan State. Once he was back to full strength on the ice, Stramel worked on his ability to explode through his first three strides, make little plays in tight around the net and protect the puck -- each an ingredient to help him play as a power forward.
Bombardir spoke highly of Stramel’s strong athletic ability, saying his skating and straight-ahead speed are phenomenal and skills Stramel should use to his advantage, especially on the forecheck.
“He’s learned to play faster and be in the game more, and play on the edge a little bit more,” Bombardir said. “He’s moving faster, he’s moving better, and he’s more confident.”
Confident both physically and mentally.
“There’s been points in my career, especially early on in college (at Wisconsin), where I didn’t have a lot of it and it really hindered my game,” Stramel said. “Regaining that at Michigan State and trying to bring that every night, I think that’s something I hopefully can bring here as well.”
Stramel is prepared to make the most of his opportunity with the Wild in the shortened camp. Practices begin Thursday, and Minnesota opens its season two weeks later, at the Nashville Predators on Oct.
1.
“Just do whatever I could to help this team win,” Stramel said. “Like I said, that’s the goal, and I’m looking forward to hopefully earning that opportunity.”
