Max Strbak excelling by playing at Michigan State

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Before Max Strbak was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2023 NHL Draft, he had come to North America from Slovakia and played in the USHL for the Sioux Falls Stampede. That allowed him to learn the North American game before heading to Michigan State University last season.

The 19-year-old was in town for Sabres Development Camp earlier this month, and says playing in the USHL made his Freshman season much easier.

"It was a good experience. It was a bit different than the USHL with bigger competition, because the Big Ten in known for its speed and skill," said Strbak. "It was hard at the start, but I think I got adjusted pretty good. It was a good year for me."

The defenseman played 32 games for the Spartans as a Freshman, scoring two goals and adding seven assists for nine points.

Playing with Strbak at Michigan State was Hamburg native Patrick Geary. Geary was taken in the sixth-round of this year’s draft by the Sabres, and Strbak couldn’t have been happier for him.

"I was eating lunch and I looked at the TV, and they had the draft on. I saw Patrick Geary and I was like, 'What just happened?'" Strbak recalled. "Then I just texted him, 'Congrats!', and he's from Buffalo. For him, it’s a pretty big deal and his family."

Strbak seemed to improve throughout the season with Michigan State, and he says he knows why.

"I think a lot of it has to do with our coaching staff," Strbak said. "They’re doing a good job with everybody with the way we practice, and it's given me a lot of confidence. I can see that turning into games more-and-more, so that’s what's made an impact."

Adam Mair and his staff in player development are always in touch with the Sabres prospects. Strbak gives them credit for already making him a better player.

"I talked to them throughout the season, and the feedback was usually very good," he said. "I think they’re happy with the way I play, so it’s another big season for me and for Michigan State."

Michigan State also had another high-end defenseman who was this year’s second overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Artyom Levshunov of Belarus. Strbak says he learned a lot from being teammates with him.

The Sabres have given Strbak some things to work on this summer before he gets back to school.

"It’s the all-around game," Strbak noted. "This year, I was more of a shutdown defenseman, I was kind of stay at home. But I think I have two-way abilities in me, so I think I’m going to be trying to produce more, and be a more of an all-around player."

Some Sabres fans have said to me the team has nothing in the pipeline when it comes to defense. I would disagree with that.

This season, Ryan Johnson, Nikita Novikov and Vsevolod Komarov will be in Rochester with the Americans. Meanwhile, others like Strbak, Geary, Gavin McCarthy, Adam Kleber, Luke Osburn and Sean Keohane will all be playing in the college ranks this season.