The 6-foot-5 keeper devoted the extra time to work on the technical aspects of his game. He also felt the need to put on weight and gain strength.
"A lot of people don't understand goaltending and the fine details you need to fine-tune every now and then," the Bellingham, MA, product said of his on-ice training. "After practices and stuff, even if we didn't have workouts, I'd be in the gym working out trying to put more weight and strength on."
When he steps on the scale, Starrett comes in at right around 188-pounds. Before Oilers Training Camp rolls around, he hopes to see the needle flick forward more.
"I've been working with my strength coach back home on that," he said.
Starrett made his American Hockey League debut in 2017-18, guarding the crease three times for the Bakersfield Condors. He secured his first AHL win against the Tucson Roadrunners on February 19, 2018, stopping 23 of 25 shots to give the Condors a 3-2 edge.
"Seeing the difference between the ECHL and the AHL level and the step up you have to make from jumping that one division, and how much more you have to work to earn a spot at that level, was another learning experience that I needed," Starrett said.
The goaltender remains modest when asked where he sees himself playing next year. He indicated Bakersfield as a possibility but knows it all depends on performance.
"I know nothing's going to be given to me just because I'm older than (Stuart) Skinner, (Dylan) Wells and (Olivier) Rodrigue," Starrett continued. "You'll see us smiling out there but at the end of the day, I have to earn my spot in the lineup and in this organization."
And Starrett will do so armed with a year of professional experience under his belt.
