The Steinbach Pistons are excited to announce that goaltender Matt Radomsky has committed to the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders of NCAA Division I.
With his commitment, Radomsky becomes the fourth Pistons goaltender in the past four seasons to earn a Division I commitment, joining Nick Deery (University of Minnesota-Duluth), Roman Bengert (Lake Superior State University), and Matthew Thiessen (University of Maine). He is also the 12th NCAA Division I commitment in the past seven years for the Pistons organization.
“It has really been a pleasure to see Matt mature as a young man and develop into an outstanding goaltender over the past two and a half years, “ Head Coach and General Manager Paul Dyck said. “He has been extremely diligent with developing and fine tuning his game, and has put in the time to get where he is today.”
The College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, which is about an hour west of Boston. Radomsky got the chance to visit the school before the MJHL/SJHL Showcase, and came away thoroughly impressed.
“There were a combination of great things that caught my attention and intrigued me,” the third-year Pistons goaltender remarked. “The campus looks unbelievable, the staff is so friendly, kind, and welcoming, not to mention how involved they are with the players and extremely adamant on producing quality people and athletes.”
He also got the chance to meet many of the current players at Holy Cross. “The guys on the team made a significant first impression by welcoming me and giving me tours of the facilities,” Radomsky added. “Getting to know them was very beneficial as well.”
After the tour, he says he knew that Holy Cross was the place for him to play Division I hockey. “I knew that this was a great next destination for me, and it will give me an exceptional opportunity to excel in the classroom and on the ice to hopefully fulfill my goals of becoming a pro hockey player,” Radomsky said.
The 19 year old Winnipeg native has not only become one of the MJHL’s top goaltenders this season, but one of the top goaltenders in all of junior hockey. Radomsky currently leads the MJHL with a 2.05 GAA, five shutouts this season, and is tops amongst all goalies with 21 wins. His .926 SV% places him third in the league.
“I’ve been having an awesome time in Steinbach again this season,” he said. “We have a great team this year and I couldn’t be happier with the way things have gone and the way things will continue to go for us as a team.”
It’s been a whirlwind last six months for the man nicknamed ‘Rads’. His year got started with an invite to the Winnipeg Jets Development Camp at the beginning of July. He then got off to a hot start with the Pistons, leading the MJHL in virtually every goalie statistical category. He then cracked Team Canada West in December, and his 46 save performance in the bronze medal game against Czech Republic made him a hot commodity with NCAA scouts.
“Rads came here with a specific goal in mind; to play NCAA Division I hockey. And he never lost sight of that,” Dyck added. “The path was not an easy one as he has faced some adversity, but has always handled those moments so well and came out the other side more determined.”
After his school visit and commitment to Holy Cross, he immediately flew back to Winnipeg to join his Steinbach teammates for the MJHL/SJHL Showcase on Jan 14-15 in Regina. And now he’s back with the Pistons for hopefully another long playoff run.
“The past six months have been extremely exciting and truly the best of my hockey career,” Radomsky said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in events such as Jets Development Camp, the WJAC, and again playing in the MJ/SJ Showcase.
“In no way can I take credit for all of it, as each and every teammate of mine has had an instrumental part in helping me achieve my goals and to keep improving this season,” he continued. “I’m really thankful for the boys, staff, and the organization for supporting me every day.”
Radomsky has also led the way for the Pistons by regularly volunteering in the community, and has also been mentoring a young goaltender for the past two seasons. “He has been a great example to his teammates and young players in our community on how to conduct themselves, how to represent our program, and how to treat people you come in contact with,” Dyck said. “He is a great teammate, leader, and loves to win. These are characteristics you hope to see in all your players.”
For Radomsky, he is incredibly thankful for all the guidance along the way. “The organization has done countless things to develop me as a person and player,” he said. “(From) setting me up with volunteer and mentoring opportunities, getting involved in the community, job opportunities, video sessions, goalie sessions, practices, work outs, goal setting plans, the opportunity to play games and showcase my abilities, and having the trust and faith in me to be a leader and starting goaltender for our team.
“(The Pistons) are a high class organization, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. I’m extremely thankful for everyone involved.”