Former Viper Tresierra Has Emerged As A Leader And NCAA Prospect In Merritt:

Tresierra has emerged as a leader and NCAA prospect in Merritt

Monday, January 11, 2010 - Submitted by John O'Connor, Merritt News

Merritt Centennials blueliner Steve Tresierra has no qualms about leaving one of Canada's best Junior A hockey franchises for the windy Nicola Valley.

The Vernon Vipers were at the top of the BCHL when Tresierra was traded to the Centennials midway through the 2008-09 season.

“At first, I was kind of bummed out but the town grew on me,” says Tresierra.

As one of the most consistently dominant teams in Canadian junior hockey, it means a lot for players to lace up the skates for the Vipers.

A lacerated calf muscle limited Tresierra to playing in only 29 games for the Vipers, but he recovered in time for the team's playoff run which was ended by the Penticton Vees in the conference semifinals.

“The town is great,” says Tresierra of Merritt.

“In Vernon, you didn't get to know the board members, but here you do.”

The 19-year-old NCAA prospect has amassed 19 points in 44 games this year, leaving him eighth overall in team scoring.

Tresierra's consistent play has helped him earn an “A” on his sweater, a title also given to him in Vernon before he was traded.

“I like being a leader,” he says.

“I just try to lead by example and get guys fired up.”

Although the five foot eleven inch 190-pound Centennial would like to have a few more goals and assists, he says he is committed to defence first and foremost.

“I'm not a big point getter but I help shut down top lines,” he says.

“I just work hard.”

Tresierra played most of his minor hockey in his hometown Golden, B.C., where his mother and father reside. Tresierra has two sisters, one of which lives in Hawaii on a volleyball scholarship.

His junior hockey career began with the Golden Rockets of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey. At the time, Tresierra was listed as an alternate player.

At 17, Tresierra became a regular member of the Junior B Revelstoke Grizzlies hockey club, and it wouldn't be long before the Vernon Vipers scouting staff noticed him.

“It was a lot faster paced, even practices,” says Tresierra of the transition of Junior B to Junior A.
“There's lots of support in Junior A,” he adds.

Not only is he getting support from his teammates, coaches, and billet family, the Brewers, Tresierra has gotten the support of the B.C. Hockey League's coaches.

In December 2009, the BCHL coaches voted on their top choices for the BCHL All-Star team.

Tresierra was the only Centennial player to be selected as a BCHL all-star for the all-star game in Nanaimo Jan. 13.

“It's a very deserving honour for him,” says Centennials head coach Luke Pierce.

“He's established himself as a premier player in the league.”

“There's a lot of guys on the team who deserved it and he was one of them,” added Pierce.

Tresierra may find himself slightly more motivated this all star game. The format will feature one team, composed of the BCHL's best, versus Tresierra's former team, the Vernon Vipers.

“They traded me so I always show up to play,” says Tresierra with a grin.

There are only two months left in the regular season, and so far, the Cents are holding on to a comfortable fifth place position in the BCHL interior conference, enabling them a playoff birth for the first time in a long time for Merrittonians.

“We've got a lot of guys who are itching to get into the playoffs,” says Tresierra.

“I think when we get into the playoffs we'll be pretty good, he says with confidence.

After the all-star game and a couple of home games this weekend, perhaps Tresierra will get the chance to get back to playing guitar, his instrument of choice, or get back in the science lab, his place of choice in school.