Caige Sterzer played for his hometown Kimberley Dynamiters from 2015-17, then spent three seasons in the BCHL and one in the North America Hockey League before making the jump to the National Collegiate Athletic Association with Lindenwood University. Now he is playing in his first season with the University of St. Thomas Tommies.
The KIJHL spoke with Sterzer to talk about his college hockey experience.
KIJHL: You’re early into the season with your team, how are things going with the Tommies?
CS: It’s been great—better than I imagined when I transferred. I knew it would be a good fit, but being here has exceeded my expectations. The coaches are great, my teammates are awesome.
KIJHL: You spent three years at Lindenwood University, what was that like for you?
CS: I loved it at Lindenwood, and leaving wasn’t easy. The main reason I transferred was that I wanted to be on a team with a chance to win. Lindenwood was independent, so we couldn’t compete for championships. At St. Thomas, we have a legitimate shot at winning our conference this year and that was a big motivator for me.
Sterzer played two seasons in the NCAA with Lindenwood University. Since Sterzer played club hockey his first season, he has another season of NCAA eligibility.
KIJHL: How would you describe your playing style?
CS: I’m a physical player—a power forward. I use my size (6-5, 225-pounds) to my advantage, but I also feel like I can create offence. I’m not just throwing hits – I can contribute in a lot of ways on both ends of the ice. I’m playing all roles and the coaches see me as a power-play threat, a penalty-killer and someone who can play an all-around solid game.
KIJHL: What do you like about the group that you’re playing with?
CS: We have a veteran team with the same goal, same mentality that we want to win this year. We want to win our conference. That’s the most exciting part.
KIJHL: You played for your hometown Dynamiters, what was that like?
CS: It was awesome playing in front of family and friends and I had only done that when I played minor hockey. Representing the Dynamiters was an experience I’ll always cherish.
KIJHL: How did your time in the KIJHL help you in your career?
CS: I played a couple of exhibition games with Kimberley at 15, then made the team as a 16-year-old. Experiencing a style of play where you’re against bigger, stronger guys definitely helped. It gave me that confidence to show I can play with bigger, stronger players, then move up to the BCHL that next year. Playing in the KIJHL definitely helped with progressing my game and my physicality.
KIJHL: Do you still follow the Dynamiters and how they do?
CS: Yeah, a little bit. I usually go back at Christmas and am able to go to the Christmas Classic games against Fernie. That’s always a highlight around that time, especially for the Dynamiters. I had one year that I played in it. That was exciting for sure, packing those small barns. In Kimberley, we get it pretty rowdy, it’s good times.
KIJHL: Is there anything else that you’d like to touch on?
CS: I’d like to give a shout out to coach Derek Stuart, he definitely helped me progress that year and showed me what it would take to get to that next level. Also to my family. They helped me along the way to get to where I am today.
