Grove City senior making fast strides in hockey

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

April 14, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM Amateur

Steve Shimek's size is against him - but it's all alone in that regard.

The Grove City High School senior recently completed his third season as a center for the Pittsburgh Junior B Penguins hockey team. And despite his 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame, he led the Empire West League in scoring.

Shimek, a two-time captain with the Junior Pens, scored 27 goals and 59 assists for 86 points.

The Empire League is a 12-team circuit involving teams in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Canada.

It is considered the highest level of hockey play available for players ages 16 to 20 in this area.

"Steve's next move is to play Junior A hockey," Junior Penguins coach Dan Serakowski said. "After a year there, I'm sure he'll land a Division I scholarship.

"If it wasn't for his size, he would have moved into Junior A hockey two years ago. He's that good," he added.

Several Junior A teams in the United States and Canada have been recruiting Shimek. He is leaning toward joining the Cleveland (Ohio) Junior Barons.

"They've done very well as a team, making the NHL Junior Hockey League semifinals, and that looks like the best opportunity for me," Shimek said.

Shimek followed in the footsteps of older brother Mike Shimek and joined the Lawrence County Hockey Association in New Castle at age 7.

He began playing in the Amateur Penguins organization at age 9, joining his brother there.

Both were forwards when they were younger. Mike Shimek eventually switched to goaltender and is now playing that position as a junior at New England College in the East Coast Hockey Association.

The elder Shimek had a 17-6-2 record, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage this year. He was named ECHC East College Goaltender of the Year.

"We both fell in love with hockey as young kids when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup," the younger Shimek said. "Once we started playing, we loved it even more."

But playing hockey around here means traveling. The Shimek family bought a new car in July. It already has 30,000 miles on it.

"That's why I love hockey so much," Serakowski said. "These kids have to love the sport because they have to go find it to play it."

While Shimek has traveled throughout Canada and through many states to play for the Junior Penguins, his grades haven't suffered. He carries a 3.5 grade point average this year.

And he's determined to use hockey to get into college.

"If I have to play two years of Junior A, I'll do it," he said. "Playing pro hockey is a dream, and if that ever happens, I'd love it. But it's not the only goal in my life.

"The Division I scholarship is what I'm aiming for. I want hockey to help further my education," Shimek added.

"He has an incredible travel schedule," said Patty Wilson, a guidance counselor at Grove City. "But he takes his homework with him and gets his work done.

"Steve's a great kid with his priorities in order," she added.

Shimek describes himself as a "smaller guy who is one of the faster players" on the ice.

"I'm a playmaker," he said. "I like to set it up, watch the play happen - make the play happen," he said.

Serakowski said Shimek's skills as a leader are stronger than his skills as a player.

"And his playing skills are pretty darn good," the coach said. "He has skating ability with on-ice vision you don't see very often.

"He appreciates the game and he knows the game. Combine that with his ability and he's fun to watch.

"Steve's one of the best hockey players in the area, if not the best. He's a very respectful kid. He respects players, coaches … He respects the game," Serakowski added.

Serakowski said he's had only one other player in 10 years of coaching who matches Shimek's leadership ability. That player is Andrew Dealy, who went on to Yale University on a soccer scholarship.

"With Steve's grades in school, his hockey and leadership skills, he'll be playing Division 1 hockey in a year or so," Serakowski said. "It's a virtual certainty."