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Michael Hrabal - Nov. 25, 2024 – Vol. 78, Issue 5 - Ryan Kennedy
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDED well for Michael Hrabal and the Czechs at the 2024 world juniors, but the Utah HC prospect made sure to learn from his first time on the big stage.
Hrabal was in net for Czechia’s quarterfinal upset over Canada last year, making 28 saves in the 3-2 victory. After a loss to Sweden, Czechia took on Finland in a bonkers bronze-medal game that saw Hrabal pulled after two early goals before his team stormed back for an 8-5 win. “Team success is the most important thing, so winning bronze was great,” Hrabal said. “There were games I didn’t play very well, but I learned a lot. I came back strong after the tournament and grew as a goalie. I’ve tried to continue that and get better every game.”
Hrabal is a sophomore at UMass, where he has been the Minutemen’s starting goalie since he arrived on campus last year. “I love UMass,” he said. “It’s a great school. I have great teammates and great coaches. The culture here is something no other team has, so I’m very thankful I chose this school.”
Hrabal was first introduced to life in North America in Omaha, Neb., where he played for the USHL’s Lancers. “Having to do laundry and other things by myself, it was a big change,” he said. “But I had a great billet family and great teammates who helped me adjust.”
While his freshman season at UMass was a success, Hrabal took lessons from the WJC in order to build his game once he returned to Amherst. “Skating was a big part,” he said. “That tournament showed me I needed to improve there. When I compare last season and this season so far, my skating and my playing the puck to help the team on the breakout is incomparable.”
At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Hrabal holds obvious appeal as a future pro goalie. He’ll become even more effective as he continues to add pieces to his game, and UMass, under coach Greg Carvel, is an excellent place to develop. The titan-sized netminder didn’t want to assume he was guaranteed a spot on this year’s WJC squad, but with the experience he already has in the tournament, he’d be a key asset for a program that has medalled twice in a row – and would love to make it three.
