Hawks Add Scorer Strada

February 25, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Waterloo, Iowa - The Waterloo Black Hawks wrapped up a deal to acquire 20-year-old forward Joey Strada from the Des Moines Buccaneers, in exchange for Ryan Drkulec, just ahead of the United States Hockey League trade deadline on Monday.

The Scottsdale, Arizona, native was Des Moines' leading goal-scorer (19) through his 42 appearances with the Bucs. Adding 16 assists, Strada had 35 points, with 28 of them recorded at even-strength. His time in Des Moines was highlighted by a six-game goal streak (November 2nd to November 17th), which overlapped an eight-game point streak (November 2nd to November 23rd). On November 9th, Strada scored four times in an 8-4 win over the Tri-City Storm, matching the league-high for goals in a game by one player this season.

Over the prior three years at the junior level, Strada was a member of the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League. He played in 173 NAHL regular season games, scoring 47 times and assisting on 97 others. The Wings were the 2019 NAHL Robertson Cup playoff champions. Strada scored the game-winning goal in Aberdeen's 2-1 title-clinching game last May against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

He is committed to Arizona State University.

Drkulec was in his second season with the Black Hawks. This year, the Harvard recruit had 11 goals and 21 assists in 42 games. As a Black Hawk in 2018/19, Drkulec recorded 12 goals and 11 assists over 55 contests.

Strada joins Waterloo in time for a weekend road trip to meet USA Hockey's National Team Development Program on Friday and the Youngstown Phantoms on Saturday. He has four goals in four games against those opponents this season.

United States Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2020

• Weekly Preview - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Randl Named USHL Forward of the Week - Omaha Lancers
• Jack Randl (Omaha), Mitchell Miller (Tri-City) and Jaxson Stauber (Sioux Falls) Earn Weekly Honors - USHL
• Mitchell Miller Named USHL Defenseman of the Week - Tri-City Storm
• Jaxson Stauber Named USHL Goaltender of Week - Sioux Falls Stampede
• 1-On-1 with Cody Chupp Following USHL Trade Deadline - Lincoln Stars
• Musketeers Add Carrabes and Heidemann in Trade Dealine Deal - Sioux City Musketeers
• Stampede Add Scoring Punch in Big Trade with Sioux City - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Hawks Add Scorer Strada - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Bucs Acquire Harvard Commit Forward Drkulec from Waterloo - Des Moines Buccaneers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Waterloo Black Hawks Stories

• Gibson Is New Waterloo GM
• Smaby Earns Coveted Coaching Role
• An Award-Winning Season
• Ending with Another Overtime
• Hawks Overcome Astounding Adversity