Michael Hrabal had a "great feeling" when the Arizona Coyotes selected him 38th overall at the 2023 NHL Draft.
Even so, he's laser-focused on the hard work that lies ahead.
Hrabal is set to play his freshman year at the University of Massachusetts this upcoming season, his second season playing North American hockey after spending the 2022-23 season with the USHL's Omaha Lancers.
The towering 6-foot-7 netminder said draft day was an incredibly memorable experience, and his selection has put him on the path to reach his goal of playing in the NHL. Even so, he knows there's a lot that separates him from wearing a Kachina sweater, and he's dialed in to what he needs to do to make that a reality.
"It's definitely a great feeling, but I always say that it actually means nothing for the future," Hrabal said. "The hardest work is still ahead of me and, I'm just excited that I'm at the place where I am right now. There's still plenty ahead of me."
The Praha, Czechia native is currently competing with his home country's U20 team in International Junior play, where he most recently stopped 20 of 22 shots in a 4-2 win over Team Sweden on Sunday. That comes as no surprise considering Hrabal has long impressed at the international level, posting a .927 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average with one shutout in 13 International Junior games in 2022-23.
That success was also visible in his first season in the USHL, where the 18-year-old posted a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 31 games with Omaha. That mark shows an impressive ability to adjust, especially considering the North American rink is roughly 13.5 feet smaller in width than its international counterpart.
Though some think that difference impacts skaters more so than goalies, Hrabal said goalies need to account for a significant change in shot angles, as well as skaters being much closer to the net.
"There's always an opportunity for players to shoot," he said. "It definitely was a change for me, but I try to be a smart person and a smart goalie, so it didn't take me a long time to adjust for it."
Hrabal's hockey journey started when he was in second grade, and he said he jumped between the pipes when his team had just one goalie and needed another. That particular team rotated its backup netminder for quite some time, and whenever it was his turn, it turned out to be something he really enjoyed.
From there, he asked his father if he could begin playing the position permanently, and once he purchased the equipment, there was no turning back. Hrabal's family has been a driving force and strong pillar of support ever since.
"I said that if my dad buys me the gear, it would be my only wish for the rest of my life," he said with a chuckle. "He bought me the gear, and I need to say again, a huge thanks to my dad, really to both my parents and also to my sister. Everyone in the family has had a huge impact so far, and they definitely are also going to have an impact in my career."
Hrabal has been a force at every level of competition, earning USHL All-Rookie team honors last season in addition to being named a Top-3 player on Czechia's 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship team. Just one season earlier he shined with HC Sparta Praha U20 in Czechia's U20 Junior League, posting a .936 SV% and 2.14 GAA in 24 games.
A big fan of Henrik Lundqvist as a child, he said he is continuing to develop his blocker and glove play, along with strength and conditioning. He'll remain in contact with Coyotes Goaltender Development Coach Charlie McTavish throughout his journey, and said the team's prospect development camp in early July gave him an idea of where he stands within the organization.
"The camp was really good for letting me know what I need to work on, both on and off the ice, especially from doing all the off-ice tests," Hrabal said. "We had a good image of what we should work on now, and I think it definitely only can help me."
Those steps, and that analysis, will continue to help the aspiring netminder to his desired goal of playing in the NHL. Though he remains focused on his upcoming NCAA debut, Hrabal knows the work he puts into the 2023-24 season will set the stage for his grander expectations.
His NCAA career kicks off on Oct. 7 against American International, and the Minutemen's schedule includes dates this season against the University of Michigan (Oct 13, 14), Minnesota State (Oct 20, 21), Boston University (Oct 27, 28), and Boston College (Feb 16, 17), among others.
"For me, the biggest goal is always to get better and improve as a goalie, but also as a person," he said. "It would be great to get in as many games as possible and just have the team play meaningful hockey games, which is my job as a goalie."
