Falcons rookie learning the ropes
Adam Cherepacha and the St. Catharines Falcons have been a perfect fit for each other.
The talented 17-year-old winger was looking for an organization to help further his career while the Falcons were in need of young, motivated players to provide depth and balance.
Cherepacha was first noticed last season while playing major midget in Oakville by Falcons assistant general manager Zack Schipper.
The Falcons had Cherepacha attend a couple of skates and immediately were drawn to his athleticism and work ethic.
“They talked to me and liked what they saw,” Cherepacha said. “I worked with them over the summer and determined this was where I wanted to play. This was the team that was going to make the transition (from midget) the easiest.
“We have great guys, a great coach. They’re all so easy to talk to and so welcoming. It’s a classy organization. Everything is so easy. There’s no worries or issues.”
Cherepacha is off to a solid start for a first-year player with three goals and five points in his first 14 games. He’s played up and down the lineup while showing a strong hockey IQ.
“For a rookie in this league, the biggest thing that comes to mind is consistency for him,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “He’s very quiet about the way he goes about his business. No word of a lie, I don’t think I’ve heard him speak more than two words this year.
“His attention to detail is a coach’s dream. He’s always looking you in the eye and when he does talk it’s because he wants to ask questions.”
Cherepacha admits there are elements to playing junior he wasn’t quite prepared for.
“I was certainly expecting it bit, but it was a little more difficult considering the physicality,” he said. “I think I prepared myself skill wise and I sort of expected that but the physicality made everything a lot harder and I had to really get used to it.
“Other than that it’s been an easy transition. The team and guys made it easy so all those little issues were easy to get over and get the season going.”
Bielby loves Cherepacha’s willingness to put in the necessary work to improve.
“It’s a steady, consistent line of work. He brings his best effort,” Bielby said. “He’s a hockey player through and through. He has great vision on the ice. He’s smart and as we continue to work with his foot speed and athleticism as a young guy, his hockey smarts are what will allow him to be successful.”
Bielby feels Cherepacha will continue to improve as he adjusts to junior.
“His time and space has shrunk out there so it’s important for him to get up off his feet,” Bieby said. “His first three steps are going to be very important for his success in this league where he could get away with it at the minor hockey level. At this level, hesitation will get you run over.
“We have complete faith that he will be able to progress just with his approach. When you show up every day and you want to be here, you’re going to get better.”
Cherepacha collected 16 goals and was a point-per-game player in his minor midget year, but was passed over by the Ontario Hockey League.
“It’s always in the back of your mind,” he said. “I tried not to hold it too personally. I knew if I did it would just hold me back. I definitely used it as motivation but not rely on it too much.
“I knew the only chance to keep going was to accept that (OHL) wasn’t the way I was going to make it and I had to find another route and this team happened to come along.”
Cherepacha isn’t quite sure what the future will bring, but does have a plan B if hockey doesn’t work out.
“In a perfect world I’m looking to have a good season and see what offers come to me,” he said. “I’m a big academics guy. That is what I would be looking at but any offer I can find I would consider it heavily whether it be OHL, other junior leagues, or staying here for a few more seasons and see what happens.”
Cherepacha has an interest in engineering science.
“That (education) has always been right up there equal with hockey. It’s an important part of my family and an important part of what I do. Knowing I had that to fall back on has always helped.
“When I started to struggle and I didn’t know if I had a future in hockey, I always had academics, but I want to keep pushing myself in hockey.”
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