Michael Hrabal's reputation is growing as fast as his body.
photo: Matt Zambonin/IIHF
Michael Hrabal’s sensational opening game here in Ottawa is music to the ears of Utah Hockey Club executives. The Arizona Coyotes drafted him 38th overall in 2023 and have been watching him develop into a bona fide top prospect as the team relocated to Salt Lake City, and as his reputation has been growing, so, too, has his body. The 19-year-old is now listed as 6’6” (1.99m) and is a formidable presence in the blue ice for Czechia.
But what's impressive is that for a big man he moves quickly, has excellent body position and puck control, and does everything as well as a smaller goalie--all the while taking up more net!
A year ago the Prague native quickly earned the number-one goalie’s job with the Czechs at the World Juniors in Gothenburg, Sweden, and promptly led them to a bronze medal, giving them back-to-back medals at the U20 for the first time in a quarter century.
Three years ago, Hrabal moved to North America, playing with Omaha in the USHL as a preparatory step to the NCAA. He joined the University of Massachusetts for the 2023-24 season, and has been improving steadily there as well.
In his first year, he had a record of 16-1-11 (W-T-L) and a sparkling save percentage of .914 with the Minutemen. This year, he is 8-2-6 so far and with a .917 save percentage.
“The beginning of the year wasn't the best, but lately I've been good, focusing on working hard and staying longer after practise,” Hrabal said of his current season with UMass. “I'm trying my best to improve, and to help the team win games.”
It can be a challenge changing leagues and teams mid-season, but Hrabal feels the NCAA game is more challenging than the World Juniors.
“I would say college hockey is a little bit stronger. Similar plays, but the EHF (Eastern Hockey Federation) has more skilled guys, power plays are a big thing, and there are a lot of first rounders who know how to score.”
When Hrabal first took a liking to the goalie position, he was a small boy, but his continued growth hasn’t diminished his love of stopping pucks.
“Since I started playing hockey, I was always interested in being a goalie. I hope I made the right decision. We'll see. I never grew that much at one time, so I was always one of the taller kids. But a lot of people will say the size doesn't matter. There are smaller goalies in the NHL. It's about just working hard and working with what you have.”
Hrabal will be 20 in late January and has two and a half more years of college eligibility left, but the characteristic he conveys the most is perspective. He’s not playing in the NHL tomorrow, and he knows it. One big game won’t get him a pro contract, and he knows that, too.
“Right now,” he explained, “I'm focused on this tournament. And then I'll focus on this season. I'm living in the moment, so I'm not thinking about next year or two years.”
But what's impressive is that for a big man he moves quickly, has excellent body position and puck control, and does everything as well as a smaller goalie--all the while taking up more net!
A year ago the Prague native quickly earned the number-one goalie’s job with the Czechs at the World Juniors in Gothenburg, Sweden, and promptly led them to a bronze medal, giving them back-to-back medals at the U20 for the first time in a quarter century.
Three years ago, Hrabal moved to North America, playing with Omaha in the USHL as a preparatory step to the NCAA. He joined the University of Massachusetts for the 2023-24 season, and has been improving steadily there as well.
In his first year, he had a record of 16-1-11 (W-T-L) and a sparkling save percentage of .914 with the Minutemen. This year, he is 8-2-6 so far and with a .917 save percentage.
“The beginning of the year wasn't the best, but lately I've been good, focusing on working hard and staying longer after practise,” Hrabal said of his current season with UMass. “I'm trying my best to improve, and to help the team win games.”
It can be a challenge changing leagues and teams mid-season, but Hrabal feels the NCAA game is more challenging than the World Juniors.
“I would say college hockey is a little bit stronger. Similar plays, but the EHF (Eastern Hockey Federation) has more skilled guys, power plays are a big thing, and there are a lot of first rounders who know how to score.”
When Hrabal first took a liking to the goalie position, he was a small boy, but his continued growth hasn’t diminished his love of stopping pucks.
“Since I started playing hockey, I was always interested in being a goalie. I hope I made the right decision. We'll see. I never grew that much at one time, so I was always one of the taller kids. But a lot of people will say the size doesn't matter. There are smaller goalies in the NHL. It's about just working hard and working with what you have.”
Hrabal will be 20 in late January and has two and a half more years of college eligibility left, but the characteristic he conveys the most is perspective. He’s not playing in the NHL tomorrow, and he knows it. One big game won’t get him a pro contract, and he knows that, too.
“Right now,” he explained, “I'm focused on this tournament. And then I'll focus on this season. I'm living in the moment, so I'm not thinking about next year or two years.”