Matt Strueby is right on schedule.

The 19-year-old forward has been an early-season revelation for the Regina Pats, scoring a team-high four goals in seven games. That already puts him more than half way to his total from all of last season, when he had seven goals in 65 contests as a WHL rookie.

"Guys are joking around, saying I'm leading the team and stuff, but it hasn't really fazed me," Strueby said with a smile. "I'm just playing as hard as I can and the bounces are coming my way."

Strueby's transformation from fourth-line checker to second-line scorer may seem sudden, but it's not entirely unexpected -- or without precedence. Two seasons ago, he was the co-MVP and leading scorer in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, potting 36 goals in 43 games with the Regina Pat Canadians. The year before, as a rookie with the Pat C's, he had just five goals in 36 games.

Notice a trend?

"In AAA I didn't get to play much my first year," recalled Strueby, who has been characterized as a late-bloomer. "Then my second year they kind of leaned on me to get some goals. That pressure lets me bear down more I guess. It's a good thing. I get the opportunity and hopefully I make the best of it."

Strueby is unlikely to win a WHL scoring title, but he has shown the ability to provide secondary relief behind the likes of Jordan Eberle and Jordan Weal. That's exactly what the doctor ordered for head coach Dale Derkatch, whose coaching staff -- including Todd Strueby, Matt's father -- has been working to unearth a more balanced attack.

"Obviously we need scoring from everyone," noted Derkatch. "We went into the year hoping (Strueby) would progress to the point where he could play in our top two lines. He deserves to be there (now), but it's a long year and there's ups and downs for everyone. Nobody's job is safe. You have to perform day to day and I think he knows that."

Strueby has been used primarily as a centre, but he was recently moved to the left side on a line with Rudolf Cerveny and Scott Doucet. The Pats were forced to shuffle the deck following injuries to centre Mitch Czibere and right-winger Brett Leffler, who is expected to return tonight against the Kootenay Ice (7 o'clock, Brandt Centre).

"I'm pretty comfortable (on left wing)," noted Strueby. "I played it in AAA for a bit, too. Playing with Rudi and Douc is awesome. They're pretty skilled guys so they can get me the puck and help put it in."

Strueby was a gifted scorer throughout minor hockey, but he wasn't drafted by a WHL team and didn't join the Pat Canadians until he was 16. At the WHL level, he's finding that he needs to score in different ways than the past, which is why he added about 20 pounds to his lanky frame over the past two offseasons.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is now stronger on his skates, which has allowed him to be more effective in the corners.

"When I was younger I didn't have much (weight) on me and not much leg strength," he noted. "Now I can stand in there, I can take a hit and I can give hits. Somebody has to do that (dirty work). I know I'm not a really skilled guy. I'll do whatever (it takes)."

That includes fighting his way to the front of the net, something Derkatch wants to see him do on a more consistent basis.

"You don't win a midget scoring championship without knowing where to go on the ice in terms of scoring goals and making plays," noted Derkatch, who played against Todd Strueby in the early '80s when they were stars with the Pats and Saskatoon Blades, respectively. "We need some guys to get to the dirty areas and get goals. (Matt) has got most of his from right around the front of the net, just like his dad used to do. That's where you score your goals. If he works on that, he'll score."

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