The Utah Mammoth have quite a few prospects still yet to appear in an NHL game. Caleb Densoyers, Tij Iginla, and Cole Beaudoin are the big names as they continue to progress towards cracking an NHL lineup. Dmitri Simashev and Maveric Lamoureux are in the American Hockey League (AHL), grinding away as they slowly progress to being the future of the Mammoth’s blueline.
While the Mammoth are looking pretty set for the future in the forward group and on the blueline, in the goaltending department, the team has its future placed in one man. Funny enough, he’s still taking college classes.
Michael Hrabal is one of the tallest goaltenders you’ll ever see. Standing at 6-foot-7, he challenges Lamoureux for the title of tallest player on the Tucson Roadrunners. He’s also been one of the most dominating goaltenders in the NCAA, having a save percentage above .910 in all four of his seasons with UMass.
Hrabal is also still a college kid playing in the AHL. He’s a big fan of movies and soccer. He also moved from Czechia at a young age to chase his dream to play in college and eventually in the NHL.
Hrabal’s journey is just beginning as he chases his NHL dreams in Tucson. The future is bright for the young goaltender, and he’s excited for what the next chapter in his life holds.
Chasing a Dream Job in a Second Home
Perhaps one of the hardest decisions Hrabal has ever made in his life was the one he had to choose to chase his dream job. As a 17-year-old, he left Czechia to pursue his career in North America, joining the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). To move away from his family and the only life he knew was emotional to say the least.
“Just getting more independent was probably the biggest thing,” Hrabal said. “I was far from my parents. It’s probably the hardest thing. It’s part of sports. That’s life. I want to make it far one day, and that was the best decision for me.”
After one season in the USHL, Hrabal headed east. Ranked second among North American goalies in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings, he committed to UMass. It had been a childhood goal for the goaltender to play college hockey. Now, he was getting the chance to play for a very good UMass program that had just won a national championship two years ago.
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A fantastic summer continued for Hrabal in Nashville. As one of the top-ranked goaltenders entering the NHL Draft, he was projected to be drafted high. That projection came true when he was drafted 38th overall by the Arizona Coyotes.
In his first season, Hrabal played 30 games, producing a .912 save percentage and recording 16 wins. The goaltender was named to the All-Hockey East second team. The next season, his game load increased to 36, and his stats improved too, going to a .924 save percentage and 19 wins. It was that season where Hrabal backstopped UMass to a regional final appearance in the national tournament.
Usually, college players who are drafted by NHL teams turn pro after their first or second season. It’s quite rare to see prospects, especially high-drafted ones, play a third season. However, Hrabal made headlines by deciding not to sign with the Mammoth and return to UMass. Some were worried that meant the goaltender wasn’t going to sign with the team. However, he reassured Mammoth fans that it wasn’t the case.
Going back to college turned out to be a great decision for the goaltender. Hrabal had his best season with UMass, posting a .937 save percentage in 29 games and finishing the season with a 19-9-1 record. He had a 1.95 goals against average (GAA), four shutouts, tied eighth for wins in the NCAA, and was third in save percentage in the NCAA.
Check out 6’7” goalie Michael Hrabal! What a save! pic.twitter.com/GlNzJ3MB1Q
— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) October 7, 2025
While UMass didn’t make the national tournament, it was still a fantastic season for Hrabal. Funny enough, he felt like he had a weak first half of the season due to injury. Something he improved on with a strong second half of the season.
“I’m far from perfect, and I still need to work on everything,” Hrabal said. “Tracking was the biggest thing, mainly during Christmas, during a little break. I focused on it a lot, and I saw how it changed my game, how much I improved. Working on everything throughout the year was a big thing for me, getting stronger too, more and more time in the gym.”
The accolades started coming shortly after. He was the only unanimous selection to the All-Hockey East First Team. On top of that, he was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year and was named a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top goaltender in the NCAA. Going back to college was an interesting decision, but it ended up being the best one for Hrabal and his development.
“I just didn’t feel very ready yet (last summer),” Hrabal said. “There were still things I knew I needed to work on, and college was the best place for me for the third year, playing just two games a week, having more practices. I think that this decision came up well, and now it’s on me to show what I can do.”
After UMass’ season ended, Hrabal finally turned pro, signing an entry-level deal with the Mammoth beginning next season. He also signed a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the Roadrunners to continue his 2025-26 season in the AHL.
It was an exciting moment for the goaltender and the Mammoth fanbase. Especially after an exciting season at UMass, for the team’s front office, it was rewarding, especially after an additional season of waiting for Hrabal to turn pro.
“Michael had a dominant season at UMass, and we are very excited to have him signed,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He is a big, athletic goaltender who continues to get better each season, recently being named the Hockey East Player of the Year. We look forward to watching his continued development.”
Hrabal’s teammates and coaching staff back in UMass were ecstatic for him as well. After three years of wins, losses, and battling it out on the ice together, everyone was happy to see him get his pro contract.
“We are extremely happy for Mike as he signs with the Utah Mammoth and heads into professional hockey,” said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. “He has been an exceptional goaltender and teammate over his three years at UMass. He has left an indelible mark upon me personally and upon our hockey program by setting records for our program as a goaltender and by earning Hockey East Player of the Year honors. Mike exhibited tremendous growth during his time at UMass, and it was great to see him reach his full potential. He is ready to excel at the next level.”
Hrabal himself was obviously excited to turn pro. It’s one step closer to his dream that he’s had ever since he was a little kid.
However, he was sad to leave the school. Hrabal spent three seasons there, working hard on and off the ice, and going on decent runs during those three campaigns. To him, Amherst will be his second home forever and a big part of his life.
Well earned, @HrabalMichael – good luck with @utahmammoth and thank you for all you’ve done at UMass 👊
🔗: https://t.co/jeT2RUkCEl#NewMass X #Flagship🚩 pic.twitter.com/xDYTPuYiwS
— UMass Hockey (@UMassHockey) March 25, 2026
“It’s a little bit sad leaving a place like UMass,” Hrabal said. “It’s a second home to me. I really enjoyed every day there. Leaving my friends is hard, but it’s part of life. It’s a great accomplishment, but I hope that’s just the beginning of my pro career.”
One Chapter Ends, a New One Begins
Hrabal’s first thoughts on Tucson? It’s definitely hotter than Amherst.
Speaking of heat, it was a warm welcome for Hrabal when he got to Tucson. The entire Roadrunners team welcomed him with open arms. It was actually Simashev who was one of the first to introduce himself to the newest member of the team.
“He’s Russian, I’m Czech, a little bit similar cultures,” Hrabal said. “I spent all three development camps with him. He’s one of the closer guys I know here. He’s a great guy. I’m excited to have him here.”
He got in right before the Roadrunners’ series against the Ontario Reign. Hrabal was a healthy scratch in the first game of the series, spending time in the stands talking to his teammates, taking in the arena and the game. He later went down near the ice, talking to fellow goaltender Matt Villalta.
In the second game of the series, Hrabal made his pro debut, starting against one of the top teams in the Pacific Division. Facing 24 shots, the goaltender turned away 22 of them and recorded his first pro win.
Your first look at Michael Hrabal in a Roadrunners jersey as he leads Tucson out for warmups. #TusksUp #LetsGoTucson pic.twitter.com/nY7ILs188U
— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) March 29, 2026
While Hrabal’s second pro game wasn’t as good as his first, allowing five goals against the Henderson Silver Knights, jumping from the NCAA to the AHL does require some adjustment. Hrabal has spent only a week or two in Tucson and is still getting to know everyone.
“It’s a new place, new faces, I’m just getting to learn all the names, and feel more comfortable,” Hrabal said. “It’s definitely not going to be easy. I’m not that social, but it comes with time.”
While Hrabal is a bit shy, he does have his favorite hobbies and activities off the ice that his new teammates should find extremely relatable. He is particularly excited to get into golfing, something that many Roadrunners partake in during off days, especially being in Arizona.
“I’m a pretty funny guy with the ice,” Hrabal said. “I watch movies, and I’m a big soccer fan. I love to hang out with my friends and my teammates. I need to learn golfing, especially being here in Arizona, it’s a big thing.”
Outside of learning how to golf and his other hobbies, Hrabal will still be busy with school. He’s taking online classes still as he chases down his sports management degree, something he values highly, especially after he took extra classes over the summer.
Some who are new to hockey might question why Hrabal is starting out in the AHL despite being the Mammoth’s top goaltender prospect. The answer is because, as mentioned, jumping from the NCAA to the pro level takes adjusting. It’s more physical, it’s faster, and the overall level of play is better.
Goaltenders especially take longer to develop and hit their stride. Recently, there have been quite a few netminders 25 or younger who have become some of the best in the NHL, like Dustin Wolf, Lukáš Dostál, and Jesper Wallstedt. 21-year-old Hrabal might join the ranks of those players, but just like each of those goalies, playing in a development league like the AHL allows him to adjust more easily.
“The difference between college and NHL is big,” Hrabal said. “Even college and AHL, it’s a big difference too. I’m excited for this. It’s definitely another challenge. Hard work pays off. I think I can adjust fast. Hopefully, I can play as many games as possible and have the team win.”
The Mammoth and Roadrunners staff want to see Hrabal play as many games as possible as well. They’re excited to see him play, especially after such a great season at UMass.
“We want to see what he can do,” Roadrunners head coach Steve Potvin said. “He’s a performer of the year in the NCAA. That’s quite an accomplishment. So far, what we’ve seen from him is that he’s ahead of it. He’s tracking pucks really well, and he’s a big goaltender. He’s a player that’s eventually going to make his way to the big club.”
It’s always crazy when one chapter in your life ends, and another one begins. That’s especially true when your new journey brings you all the way to the other side of the country. For Hrabal, he’s sad to leave UMass, a place where his career really took off and a place he calls his second home.
However, he’s excited for a new beginning in Tucson and Utah. While Hrabal is proud of everything he accomplished at UMass and is grateful for his teammates and coaches for their support, it’s a new beginning. The goaltender is back at a place where he needs to prove himself, and he looks forward to doing so.
“I’m very thankful for everyone, because everyone has been part of my journey,” Hrabal said. “Everyone helped me a lot. It comes from teammates to coaches. My parents are probably my biggest support, and the sacrifices they made in my journey. I’d say I got a ton of them (messages). But at the end of the day, it’s just the beginning. It’s now on me to show what I can do.”
There’s a bright future ahead for Hrabal. One day, he will be the future goaltender in Utah, and his development days in Amherst and Tucson will be a memory. As of now, though, this is the beginning of the path to Salt Lake City. This is Hrabal’s new chapter and his new chase for an NHL job. It’s one he couldn’t be more excited and determined to be on.
