Stramel brings ‘chip on my shoulder’ to Wild development camp

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — Charlie Stramel starts this season with a fresh start and a good feeling.

The 19-year-old forward, selected 21st overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2023 NHL Draft, is coming off a lackluster sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin, where his production dipped from 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 33 games as a freshman to eight points (three goals, five assists) in 34 games.

Stramel also did not represent the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, despite being on the tournament roster the previous two years.

Now that he’s transferred to Michigan State, he enters his junior season with something bigger to prove: that he has what it takes to be an NHL player.

“I think adversity definitely comes and goes in a player’s career,” said Stramel, who also dealt with a hip flexor injury early in the season that sent him lower down the lineup. “Obviously, we went through a little bit of the same thing last year at Wisconsin. I had some injuries early on. I was a little lower down the lineup. I didn’t play my best hockey personally and I didn’t get to a top position all year. So it is what it is. It’s obviously not where you want to be.

“But I’m at (Michigan) State now. I’m excited. I’m playing this season with a chip on my shoulder and looking forward to it.”

At Michigan State, Stramel rejoins Adam Nightingale, who was his coach for two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before Nightingale was named coach at Michigan State in May 2022.

“I always thought, if I ever leave (Wisconsin), I’m going to go somewhere where I trust somebody,” Stramel said while attending Minnesota’s development camp earlier this month, “and with Nightingale and Michigan State coming up here, it was a no-brainer to go there. I was in the program with him (NTDP) for two years. Great coach, great guy. Kept in touch a little bit during that time.

“And yeah, like I said, it was a no-brainer for me to go back there. He has a great culture there.”

Stramel and the Wild brass are hoping the power forward Minnesota invested in a first-round draft pick will return. The 6-foot-3, 223-pounder heads to Lansing, Mich., looking to recoup his confidence, skill and 200-foot game.

“The change for him to go to Michigan State this year is going to be great,” Wild director of player development Brad Bombardir said. “He knows the coach. They have a great relationship. I’ve talked to Adam and he expects Charlie to improve as a player as well.

“He said this to me and Charlie: It’s not just about changing shirts. He doesn’t change shirts. ‘You come here and we want you to take the next step in your development and become a good player for us.’

“I’m excited for him. He looks great here. He looks great in the gym. He’s in really good shape. He’s worked really hard this summer so far. He just has to go out there and feel good about his game and also have confidence in his game and fully commit to what kind of player he’s going to be at the next level to further his success. He’s doing it. He’s going to keep doing it. He’s going to keep doing it. You have to remember he’s young. He’s going into his junior year. He’s 19.”

And while last season was a bit of a shock, Stramel said he’s confident he can turn things around.

“This is a big year,” Stramel said. “Yeah, I think confidence helps a lot with any player. You don’t always have it. You’re always working on getting more of it.

“I think the biggest thing I learned from that is: take what you get the most. Don’t take anything for granted. Sometimes you get into situations you don’t want to be in, but you have to get out of them. Yeah, I think I learned a lot from last year.”