Ever since the NCAA Division 1 Council voted to grant collegiate eligibility to players from Canada’s major junior leagues, programs around the country have been embroiled in something of an arms race. Recently, Michigan Tech got their name on the board in securing their first and second second and third commitments from major junior players in the form of Kelowna Rockets center Michael Cicek and Val-d’Or winger Noah Reinhart. While these are officially the Huskies first two CHL commitments, they will not actually be the first CHL players to take to the ice at the Mac in recent years. Before Austen Swankler famously fell out at Bowling Green over a pair of shoes and transferred to Michigan Tech, only to play 10 games with the Huskies, he spent a season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. At the time, this should have made Swankler ineligible to compete in NCAA hockey, but an oversight in the NCAA offices allowed Swankler to sneak through admissions and the rest is history. Given that Swankler holds the dubious distinction of being the first major junior player to play NCAA hockey, a few jokes felt obligatory. But with those out of the way, let’s meet the two newest Huskies and discuss where they might fit in during their time in Houghton.
First up is Winnipeg native Michael Cicek. Cicek is currently playing his overage season in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets. Cicek has spent the past 4 seasons in the WHL across stints with Kelowna and the Spokane Chiefs, and has seen his production increase every year. At 6’1” and 190lbs, Cicek is a strong and powerful two way pivot. He has spent a majority of this season centering Kelowna’s second line, and has spent time in the bumper on their top power play unit. With 26 points in 32 games, Cicek has flashed some offensive upside. Despite this, I see Cicek’s future with the Huskies as more of a bottom 6 type (though with the potential to move up and down the lineup as needed). Cicek’s attention to detail and strong 200 foot game lend themselves well to a role down the lineup. The expanded player pool for college hockey also lends itself well to programs like Michigan Tech being deeper than ever before. Recruiting players like Cicek to play in a bottom 6 role is something that was not on the table previously, but would now allow for the Huskies to feature some scoring potential up and down their lineup.
For those of you who have been bemoaning the Huskies lack of consistent high-end finishers, you may need to look no further than Noah Reinhart. Reinhart, a native of Ontario, has spent the last 3 seasons playing in the QMJHL. Now, I’m sure some of you are wondering how a kid from Ontario ended up playing his junior in Quebec, so I’ll touch on that briefly. If a player is passed on in the draft for the league that covers their native province, they are eligible to try out for and sign with any major junior franchise across the 3 leagues. Reinhart went undrafted in the OHL and made the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs on a tryout and has been playing in Quebec since. The most famous example of this rule is Claude Giroux, who went undrafted in the OHL, only to become a first round NHL pick just two years later after moving to the Quebec league. Ever since arriving in Quebec, Reinhart has flashed his scoring touch. He has been a consistent offensive weapon across all 4 of his QMJHL stops, including 15 goals in his last 21 games since a midseason trade to the Val-d’Or Foreurs this year. Reinhart has a heavy shot and has been a major power play threat from the left half wall as a right-handed shot. While likely more of a complimentary piece than a true driver, Reinhart’s skillset lends itself well to being utilized in a top 6 role, ideally as a running mate for either of Michigan Tech’s two best playmakers in Stiven Sardarian and Max Koskipirtti, both of whom can return next season when Reinhart will head to Houghton. This is a player who can and will score goals at the Division 1 level. His arrival next fall should give the Huskies a much-needed jolt offensively and give them two big time shooters to build their top 6 and power play around alongside Isaac Gordon.
Nathan is currently a student at Michigan Tech, studying Engineering Management. He cultivated his love for the game over a 10 year youth hockey career and is excited to bring his passion to Tech Hockey Guide and Michigan Tech hockey. While not at school, Nathan resides in the Chicagoland area
