Playing in the NHL had always been a dream for Michalek, so there was no shortage of excitement from the goaltender after the draft. But following Michalek’s first couple years of college, that excitement had begun to evolve into uncertainty.
After Girard took over netminding duties in 2012, Michalek’s role shrunk significantly. Furthermore, the Connecticut native took a leave of absence the following year, instead playing for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL.
Thus, when Michalek returned to campus for his sophomore year, no one knew what the future held. But once given the chance, Michalek quickly provided an answer, posting a 1.66 GAA over his final seven regular season starts to get the Crimson, as well as himself, back on track.
“I try to take it as motivation,” Michalek said about his draft selection. “I obviously want to play at the next level, but if you start getting caught up in thinking about the future too much, it’s just unnecessary pressure.”
Aiming to reach that next level, Michalek will look to make this season his best one yet. For the first time in his time at Harvard, Michalek will no longer have Girard by his side. The junior’s competition will include classmate Peter Traber and freshman Merrick Madsen, who have just four collegiate starts between them.
“Ever since [Michalek has] played here, he’s played a lot of minutes,” junior defenseman Patrick McNally said. “It’s not like losing Girard means we’re going to throw a kid in there who doesn’t have a lot of experience. He’s a great goalie, and we know he’s going to be a big part of our team this year.”
With the other goalies’ lack of experience, Michalek surely will have a firm grip on the starting job. But given what the goaltender has been through in the past, Michalek is not jumping to any conclusions.
“It’s no one’s job, especially with the college season the way it is,” Michalek said. “Whoever’s winning is going to play, so it’s my job to keep winning.”
Predicted to finish ninth out of 12 in the ECAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Harvard will need Michalek to do just that in order to become a legitimate threat within the conference. In the goaltender’s opinion, that will not be a problem. He feels that the Steve Michalek who appeared down the stretch a year ago should be the one standing in net all season long in 2014-2015.
“I think everyone always has something to prove,” Michalek said. “We have a lot of high expectations for ourselves. We’re going into our season expecting to contend for the league title, and that’s all we’re really concerned about.”
—Staff writer Jake T. Meagher can be reached at jmeagher@college.harvard.edu.