Goaltender Michal Pradel sits down to discuss the World Junior experience, season with the Storm and being drafted by the Red Wings
Tri-City Storm goaltender and Detroit Red Wings third-round draft pick from 2025, Michal Pradel is enjoying another strong campaign, in what is the netminder’s second season in the United States Hockey League with the Storm.
The Storm find themselves fifth place in the Western Conference with a 14-17-3-1 record after 35 games. Through 24 games played this season, Pradel has posted a 10-9-3 record, 2.48 goals against average and 0.917 save percentage. After posting a 9-4-0 record, 2.41 goals-against and 0.899 save percentage in 14 games in 2024-25, Pradel returned for a second year with the Storm.
“I decided to stay here one more year because the experience has been so great for me,” Pradel said. “I like it here a lot, I’ve got a really good coaching staff and teammates in this organization.”
So far this season, Pradel has found himself at the top of the USHL goalie leader board, placing seventh in goals-against average, fourth in save percentage and tied for first in shutouts with three. The start can be attributed to the work that Pradel has put in day in and day out.
“I’m working hard every day and just trying to do the small things like recovery that make a big impact,” Pradel said. “I always focus on the moment, whether it is training, practice or the next game.”
Pradel recently returned from the 2026 World Juniors, after representing the netminder’s native country of Slovakia in Minnesota. Through four games played, Pradel posted a 1-3-0 record, 4.11 goals-against average and 0.877 save percentage. Pradel backstopped Slovakia to their lone win of the tournament, turning aside 32 shots in a 4-1 win over Germany.
“It is a big honour to represent your country on such a big stage as the World Juniors,” Pradel said. “It meant a lot, especially to get that win against Germany in a very important game.”
In June of 2025, the Red Wings selected Pradel in the third round with the 75th overall draft pick. Pradel became the sixth goalie selected in 2025 when his name was called. The moment of being drafted by the Wings was an experience that Pradel will always cherish throughout the goaltender’s career.
“It was one of the best feelings of my life to be there and hear my name selected being such an amazing organization like Detroit,” Pradel said. “It was perfect.”
With 28 games left in the season, Pradel has goals remaining for this year with the Storm, while also knowing that strong play will help bring Pradel to the next level as his career progresses.
“I’m always focused on the moment, whether it is the next training session or game,” Pradel said. “When I look towards the future, it’s going to college and continuing to grow as a player.”