Joe Stejskal

History

2006-07 Season:  Team captain Joe Stejskal enjoyed an outstanding senior year at Grand Rapids (MN) high school, helping to guide the Thunderhawks to a state finals appearance for the second year in a row. Stejskal led all Grand Rapids defensemen in scoring with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists). He was named to the Class AA All-Tournament and was the recipient of the 2007 Herb Brooks Award, which recognizes the most qualified hockey player in the state tournament who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits that defined Herb Brooks.

2007-08: This marked Stejskal’s freshman season with Dartmouth (ECAC). In 32 games he tallied a goal and five points; his 46 penalty minutes led the team. He spent most of the season pair with Evan Stephens on the Big Green’s top D-line.

2008-09: In 29 games with Dartmouth College (ECAC), the defenseman netted seven goals and 12 points to cap off his sophomore season. He was named to the ECAC All-Academic Team for his efforts.

2009-10: A third season with Dartmouth failed to yield the results Joe was looking for. in 32 games, Stejskal would score 3 times with 7 assists.

2010-11: Stejskal signed a two-year contract with the Canadiens and made his pro debut with AHL Hamilton after completing his senior year of college hockey. Stejskal was scoreless and -1 in seven regular season games and appeared in 5 of 20 playoff games for the Bulldogs. He scored his first pro goal, and only AHL point to date, in the playoffs and was -1 with 2 PMs. Despite limited offensive numbers for Dartmouth, the importance of his solid defensive play could not be questioned as the Big Green finished third in ECAC Hockey as well as winning the third place game in the league tournament. Stejskal appeared in 33 of 34 games for the Big Green and was +8 while scoring 3 goals with 2 assists and 37 PMs. Two of Stejskal's three goals were game-winners for Dartmouth.

2011-12: Stejskal struggled in his first full professional season with the Bulldogs by not playing physical enough and making too many mistakes in the defensive zone. The big defenseman missed six games after being sent heavily into the board by a dirty hit from behind and was a healthy scratch at times. He was only able to contribute three assists and a poor -15 rating in 55 AHL games.

Talent Analysis

Stejskal has not been one to put up points. Rather, he is a defense-first type of blueliner, boasting exceptional positioning and overall play in his own zone. Standing 6'3 and 205 pounds, Stejskal has also added some grit to his game.

Future

Stejskal signed a two-year contract with the Canadiens in March, 2011. He will compete for a spot with the Hamilton Bulldogs this fall.