To MJHL fans: Selkirk Steelers’ veteran forward Dallas Starodub
recently set a club record for most games played. With the permission of the Selkirk Record, we’re posting it on our site for all fans to enjoy. Thank you to the Selkirk Record and sportswriter Brian Bowman.
Most of the Selkirk Steelers’ players and coaches have already forgotten their 6-1 road loss to the Winkler Flyers on Nov. 15.
But Dallas Starodub will probably remember it for a very long time.
The veteran Steelers’ forward broke Dylan Heide’s team record of 237 games played in Winkler last week.
Barring injury, Starodub expects to shatter that Steelers’ record by season’s end. He is currently at 239 games played and counting.
“I started out when I was 16 and it’s a pretty cool accomplishment to say I’m the all-time games played leader for this organization,” said Starodub Monday evening.
Starodub has seen plenty of changes since he joined the Steelers back in 2012.
“A lot of things have changed,” he noted. “Rules have changed, coaching staffs have changed a couple of times, and I think I’ve grown as a player every year,” he said.
“My role at 16 is a lot different than what it is now.”
The game has slowed down for Starodub over the years. He has improved immensely each season and is currently third on the team in goals scored with eight and second in points (17).
“It’s being smarter,” he said, noting being part of the Steelers’ team that won 20 consecutive games was a highlight in his career. “You can preserve a lot more energy when you play smarter and a lot of things open up a lot easier now.”
Starodub played his minor hockey in the Tri-s area, winning several championships along the way. He won a pair of titles with the Bantam “AAA” Hawks” and also earned a silver medal at the Western Canadian championship played in Winnipeg.
Starodub was drafted by the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings and auto protected by the Steelers.
At 15, Starodub won a City Midget “AAA” championship.
Ken Petrash, the Steelers’ director of hockey operations/general manager, had high praise for his multi-talented forward.
“We can’t say enough about Dallas as far as being a local guy and playing five years for us,” said Petrash Tuesday afternoon. “We wish we could find 10 or 12 more guys like Dallas from the local area.”
Starodub is the type of player that can do a lot of things to help a hockey club win games.
“Dallas is an all-around type player,” Petrash said. “He can score goals and he can certainly bang and crash when you need him to. Usually with players, you have one or the other, but he’s one that can bring both sides to the equation.”
