USHR News: 10/26/01

USHR News

10/26/01

The Man from Porcupine

Ohio State had him in for an official visit earlier this week; BU, Michigan State and others have made calls; and Lake Superior State, where he almost went this season -- and could still wind up at -- is following his progress, but suddenly finding the competition to be growing.

Meanwhile, Waterloo Black Hawks goaltender Josh Siembeda (pronounced Sim-beeda), just goes out and does his job. "He's really popular," says Waterloo coach/GM Scott Koberinski. "And he's very upbeat."

It's a good thing, too, because he's holding a 1-4 record. What recruiters are noticing, though, is his GAA of 1.97 and save % of .931.

In early October, Siembeda came to Waterloo from the Espanola Screaming Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Screaming Eagles, who got cash in return, sent him to the USHL simply because the goaltender expressed a wish to go there, presumably to be seen by more colleges. Espanola Director of Hockey Operations Mark Siedel felt that Siembeda, who in early September had turned down a four-year package from the Sudbury Wolves (OHL) because he wanted to go the NCAA route, had given the Screaming Eagles enough over the past year and that to stand in his way would have been unfair.

Last year, Siembeda went on one college visit, to Clarkson. The connection was Espanola assistant coach Chris Roque, cousin of then-Clarkson assistant Jimmy Roque. When Roque returned to Lake State, Siembeda's interest followed him. However, the goaltender's SAT scores were too low and he was unable to raise them until late summer -- too late for the Lakers. So Siembeda returned to Espanola, a town of about 5,000 two-thirds of he way along Route 17 between the Soo and Sudbury.

Siembeda, who's from Porcupine, Ontario, which is up north, just a few kilometers east of Timmins, is a mid-70s student who has passed the clearinghouse. His SATs are still on the low side for a lot of schools, but he's working on improving them.

A 3/14/83 birthdate who's 5'10", 170 at best, Siembeda is very good fundamentally and very athletic, quick, exciting to watch, and the possessor of a good glove. He handles the puck well enough, communicates well with his defensemen, has very good anticipation, and great competitiveness.

Waterloo, which hosts Cedar Rapids and Sioux Falls this weekend, has, in their six games to date, scored nine goals while allowing 14. Four of their six games have been one-goal decisions, including both their wins. The club's leading goal scorer is Minnesota-Duluth recruit Ryan Langenbrunner, who has two.