Szabo latest Piston to commit to NCAA

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This article was published 08/01/2024 (532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Yet another Steinbach Piston will go on to play at the next level, as Noah Szabo’s commitment to the University of Alaska Fairbanks was announced on New Year’s Eve.

The 2004-born defenseman from St Thomas, Ont. has thrived in his second season as a Piston, with 29 points in 31 games played. Szabo has been a key piece for Steinbach this season, providing steady play with the injury bug hitting the Steinbach blue-line hard.

The Turnbull Cup champion chipped in with six points during the Pistons’ championship run last season. Steinbach head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said he saw a glimpse of what Szabo has become during last year’s playoffs and in the Centennial Cup, and it has only continued into this season.

Szabo has looked like he could be one of the top defensemen in the league from the moment he stepped on the ice in training camp this year.

“He came in on a mission,” Dyck said.

“He was very prepared this summer. Since the moment he arrived here, his focus has been to get better every day.”

Szabo’s play has needed to be even better as of late, as the Pistons dealt with a rash of injuries to their blue line, including fellow top-end defender Jack Cook.

“He’s carried a huge workload for us,” Dyck said, adding that despite the minutes, Szabo has thrived.

“I think there’s some games he’s played over 35 minutes… He’s been a workhorse, and that’s been fun to see.”

The Fairbanks-Alaska Nanooks play an independent schedule in the NCAA’s top division.