STEVE LORENTZ, WATERLOO MINOR MIDGET ALUMNUS OFF TO GREAT START IN 2nd YEAR IN PETERBOROUGH
In a season where many Peterborough Petes, individually and
collectively, haven't yet played to expectations, Steve Lorentz is exceeding
them.
In 24 games the 18-year-old second-year forward has surpassed
his offensive totals from his rookie season. The Waterloo native has seven goals, 12 assists
and 19 points in 24 games this campaign after recording seven goals, 11 assists
and 18 points in 64 games last season. He trails only the top Petes line of
Eric Cornel, Hunter Garlent and Nick Ritchie in scoring. Lorentz is the only
player among their top five scorers who is a plus player with a plus-minus
rating of +2.
He's gone from being a feel-good story last year of a player who overcame odds as a late OHL draft pick -- a 12th-round selection in 2012 -- to being one of the club's top players. He's had two goals in each of the last two Petes home games including the winner in each.
On Thursday the Petes (9-11-1-3) host the CHL's No. 1 ranked Oshawa Generals (20-3-1-0) at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Centre.
Lorentz credited confidence as the biggest factor in his success.
“The coaches have put a lot of trust in me playing me on the PK and the PP,” Lorentz said. “It really gives you a mental boost coming into each game knowing you're going to be counted on each game to make big plays.”
The coaches have shown that trust in Lorentz because he's earned it, says head coach Jody Hull.
“With his hockey sense and hockey IQ he's a guy I can rely on in every situation,” Hull said. “He's getting that opportunity and he's taking advantage of it.”
He says Lorentz has excelled in one area often the most difficult for young players to grasp – consistency.
“He's been pretty consistent since day one. Out of the (24) games he's probably had two or three nights where he wasn't much of a factor. For a kid who is 18 years old that's pretty good in our league. He's had to play centre, he's played wing, he's played on the power play, he's killed penalties. He pretty much plays in every situation asked.”
Lorentz has enjoyed being given more responsibility this season.
“it really gives you an extra step in your game and a little bit of extra confidence,” he said. “I've just been taking it in stride and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Hull points to another factor which has helped Lorentz.
“When we drafted him he was five-foot-10, 150 pounds and now he's six-foot-three-and-a-half and 195 pounds,” said Hull.
As pleased as Hull is with Lorentz's progression, he says it's important to keep striving for more.
“I still think there is a lot more room for improvement there as he matures,” said Hull.