Warriors Athlete of Week: Goalie a calming influence on team

Goalies have been known to be a little funky and have some peculiar superstitions.

Hall of Famer Patrick Roy liked to have long conversations with the goal posts. Glenn Hall, another Hall Of Famer, would vomit before every game since he believed he would lose if he didn't. Exactly 6.5 minutes before each game Jocelyn Thibault would pour water over his head.

Brainerd Warriors goalie Brady Mick has a routine more than a superstition before games.

"I usually take a nap," he said. "I watch the JV game a little bit, then warm up.

"I nap about 45 minutes. If it's an away game, I sleep on the bus. If it's a home game, I go to my mom's work because it's close to the rink."

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Brady Mick

• Sport: Hockey
• Position: Goalie
• Year: Junior
• Age: 17
• Height: 5-10
• Career highlight: Playing in 2012 VFW state bantam hockey tournament
• Other sports: Tennis
• Grade-point average: 3.25
• Favorite class: American Government
• Favorite food: Chicken nuggets
• Favorite movie: "Miracle"
• Favorite TV show: "How I Met Your Mother"
• Hobbies: Being with friends
• Future plans: Attend 4-year college, possibly play hockey, go into business
• Favorite goalie: Martin Brodeur
• Parents: Jill and Reed Mick

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In the Warriors' first 22 games this season, only seven have been victories. They may not have won that many if not for the play of Mick.

The junior has been bombarded with 804 shots, an average of 36.5 per game, and has stopped 722, an average of 32.8 saves per game. For a goalie who has faced that many shots, he has compiled respectable averages in goals-against (3.82) and save percentage (.898).

In 13 games, Mick has made at least 30 saves. In seven of those 13, he has stopped 40 plus shots, including a 52-save effort in a 4-1 loss to Moorhead.

Mick says facing so many shots keeps him sharp.

"It makes me be more into the game," he said. "It makes me feel like I have to work my hardest for the team to win. I can't really slack off."

Warriors head coach Dave Aus said Mick reminds him of Danny Harper, who played for him at Blaine. Harper led the Bengals to three state tournaments and was mentally tough.

"He could forget goals," Aus said. "He was like Brady. They're cerebral, more mature. Brady likes to be a kid, but he's not silly. He takes his preparation serious. Often he's by himself. He prepares his way. He's very similar to Danny.

"Danny was one of my all-time favorite to coach. I'm sure when Brady's done I will feel the same about him."

Aus concedes he's not an expert in goaltending, but anytime he has offered suggestions Mick has listened.

"And we've had some bus trips on the way back to town where he's in front with the coaches watching video," Aus said. "He's always doing whatever he can do to get better. That's pretty unique for a kid that age.

"Brady's so athletic. He's really gifted. He's just got good explosion. It's been an absolute pleasure coaching him. He's a top-notch kid, a good student. Thank goodness he's back another year."

Warriors goalie coach Glenn "Chico" Resch, who played 14 years in the NHL with the New York Islanders, Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, said one of the first things he noticed when working with Mick was that he was coachable. As much as that's a cliche, Resch said, some players can't accept constructive criticism because they think you're cutting them down.

"This kid is totally coachable," Resch said.

Resch said one of Mick's assets is he doesn't have open seams when preparing to stop the puck.

"Not being a big guy he can't have openings around him as well as openings through him," Resch said. "If you're smaller at least you can plug stuff that's within that sphere of your body."

Another of Mick's strengths, Resch said, is that his hands are independent of his lower body.

"A lot of butterfly goalies when they drop or make a move everything is welded together. Their hands and legs to their bodies," Resch said. "If you split Brady in half, his lower body is doing one thing, his hands are doing something else. It's much like a dancer. You've got to separate the parts of the body and he does that well. He's very agile as well. I would say his glove can be a weapon."

Mick relishes the opportunity to work with a former NHL netminder.

"He's helped me a lot," Mick said. "He works with me on getting out (of the crease). He builds my confidence and he's super nice."

Other notable efforts:

• Jaelyn King, gymnastics, won two events vs. Fergus Falls.

• Emily Aga, Alpine skiing, won the girls race at the Alexandria Invite.

• Kylee Heurung, girls basketball, scored 21 points with 11 rebounds vs. Bemidji.

• Katy Johnson, girls basketball, scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds vs. Bemidji.

• Devin Annable & Brock Saatzer, floor hockey, combined for seven goals vs. Robbinsdale.

• Ally Smith, girls hockey, scored a hat trick vs. St. Cloud Icebreakers.

• Gabriella Haire, Nordic skiing, finished 11th in the Section 8 girls race and qualified for state.

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5861. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bertsballpark .