Butler hockey’s Greyson Steadman shining as freshman ahead of PIHL Penguins Cup quarterfinals
Greyson Steadman is used to putting up impressive numbers on the ice, but admits he was not anticipating the season he's had for Butler hockey.
Through 21 games, the freshman winger has scored 24 goals to break John Turner's previous program record of 22 in a single season, and has added 17 assists.
His efforts have helped the Golden Tornado reach the PIHL Penguins Cup Class A quarterfinals a year after the team won just four games.
Steadman arrived on the varsity scene following success for travel teams.
"I was expecting to do well this season, but I'm pretty surprised at the numbers I've put up," he said. "I put in the work, and we all trust each other on the ice. We're willing to pass the puck to anyone. It's not a one-man show.
"We move the puck a lot and are always crashing the net."
Butler put up 118 goals in 20 regular season games, third-most among 23 Class A teams. The Tornado (15-4-1-1) defeated North Catholic in the first round of the playoffs last week, and will take on Canon-McMillan (18-1-1-0) in a quarterfinal Tuesday at Printscape Arena at Southpointe.
Other than Steadman, Butler has five other players who have scored double-digit goals — Anthony Trombatt (22), Aden Devore (13), Lucas Hensler (13), Jase Renwick (13) and Mason Heichel (10).
"Greyson has been on our top line all season," Butler coach Cameron Raidna said. "He's got great speed, awareness, and his shot is fantastic. His release is one of the quickest I've ever seen.
"He and (Trombatt, senior center) work so well together on that first line."
It often takes freshmen a while to find a comfort level in any sport, if it happens at all. But Steadman immediately became a player his teammates could count on, scoring twice in the season opener against Chartiers Valley in October.
"I put up numbers right away, hit a bit of jet lag in the middle of the season, but am back to playing well now," Steadman said. "The older players on the team brought me under their wing, and that helped me a lot. I'm just having a lot of fun, and that's my goal every time I step on the ice."
Due to Butler's small junior varsity roster, Steadman also skates for that team and tallied 33 goals and 11 assists in 13 games this season.
Outside of high school, Steadman plays for the Pittsburgh Aviators travel team. His 99 points (52 goals, 47 assists) for them is 10th-best in the nation in his age group (15U).
"He is relentless," said Greyson's father, Nate Steadman. "Natural ability obviously has a lot to do with his success, but he'll come home after a game and go down to the basement where we have an area set up and he'll work on his shot. He outworks everybody."
Greyson does so with not just the present in mind.
"I definitely want to play hockey in college, and just go as far with it as I can," he said.
