What’s not to love about a prospect who is nicknamed Big Rig? Charlie Stramel certainly has the desired measurables to be a force down the middle of the ice, but is it possible that his size is also his only major calling card?
Birthplace: Rosemount, Minnesota
Date of birth: October 15, 2004
Shoots: Right
Position: Centre
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 216 lbs.
Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
Being one of the youngest players in the NCAA this year, Stramel hasn’t exactly lit it up on an underwhelming group of Wisconsinites. His twelve points ranked seventh on the team, tied with his linemate, Jack Gorniak who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2018. As a comparison, Cole Caufield’s undrafted brother, Brock, registered 23 points throughout the season.
Not to worry though. Stramel wasn’t expected to be a leader among Badgers this year. That comes later, once he has had time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Despite his underwhelming start to the season, Stramel was selected for USA’s World Juniors team where he looked decent in a bottom-six role. He recorded an assist in the semi-final against arch rivals Canada, as Team US cruised to a 2-0 lead before ultimately losing the game 6-2.
During the stretch that followed the 2023 WJC, Stramel seemed to find his stride more and more in the NCAA as well. He is a muscular player, who plays his best hockey when he remembers to use his big frame and open up lanes for his teammates. On the power play, he is best used as the net front presence where he can cause havoc, mostly by simply being too large to handle for his opponents.
Stramel is never going to lead your team in dangles, but instead lead his troops with old school, hard-earned effort. The fact that he can also provide a bit of playmaking and a goal or two is a pleasant bonus. Most analysts seem fairly in agreement with the assessment that Stramel projects as a future third-line centre in the NHL, with a couple of them adding that they think he could reach slightly higher if he fulfills the heights of his potential.
Preliminary Rankings
Elite Prospects: #42
Hockey Prospect: #61
FCHockey: #32
McKeen’s: #48
Bob McKenzie (TSN): #21
Hadi Kalakeche: #38
NHL Central Scouting: #21 (North American skaters)
Dobber Prospects: #50
Scott Wheeler (The Athletic): #29
Corey Pronman (The Athletic): #26
The rankings are pretty consistent surrounding Stramel. Bob McKenzie, with his insider information, has him ranked the highest at 21. Others seem to look at him as being someone who could sneak into the first round, or be a coveted player early during the second day of the draft. Interestingly, Dobber Prospects had Stramel as one of their biggest fallers when comparing their ranking in December 2022 with their new one from April 2023.
Most analysts seem to agree that what you see is what you get when it comes to Stramel. He is considered to be a safe prospect among many uncertain ones who will be considered in a similar range. A smart player who knows how to be part of the play in all three zones. If he doesn’t end up improving his skating and suddenly turns into a wizard point producer, he will at least still become a valuable bottom sixer a handful of years from now.
Naturally, unless you are an absolute superstar in the making, it is difficult to go from USHL and instantly make an impact in the Big Ten. Stramel had a good period just before the World Juniors where he had five points in seven games and seemed to have found his stride. He then proceeded to not bring that form with him, at least not in terms of production, for the latter months of the season.
In December, when Chris Peters made the travel to Madison to watch Wisconsin face powerhouse Michigan, he spoke to head coach Tony Granato about Big Rig‘s development. Granato alluded to the added difficulties in terms of pace, during the adaptation period between the USHL and the NCAA. Especially for players who play with physicality an thus are accustomed to using their own body as their weapon of choice.
Going through Jared Book’s consensus board for the 2023 NHL Draft, there are few, if any, centre prospects who can match Stramel in terms of pure physical measurements.
There were whispers last year that the Canadiens could be interested in adding big centreman Nathan Gaucher when they came back around at selection 26. As of now, we do not know if there were any truths in those whispers, since Gaucher ended up being selected as early as 22nd overall by the (once) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
With that said, if Montreal indeed is interested in beefing up through the centre of the ice, Stramel could provide an interesting alternative. That is, if he is still available when we come around to the second day of drafting.
Marc-Antoine Lévis
