Stefan Miklakos began his scholastic hockey career at the public high school in his hometown of Pelham, N.Y., making the path and adjustment to prep school ― as advancing to a new level is for most players ― a bit of a challenge.
Still, all roads have led to Division 1 hockey for the second-year member of the legendary John Gardner’s Winged Beavers as Miklakos committed to spend his college career nearby at Army West Point in a couple of years. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior forward leads Avon with 10 goals and 21 points in 12 games this season.
Miklakos discussed his path to the Atlantic Hockey program in the latest installment of New England Hockey Journal’s Commitment Q&A.
How would you describe yourself as a player? Are there NHL players you try to emulate?
Guys I like to watch are Brad Marchand, and a little bit of Artemi Panarin. They're obviously two of the most skillful players in the league, but I also like Marchand because of how in your face he is and he's winning every puck. I love players who are fast, just win the pucks, and play a creative game. I think creativity is important in hockey. You also need structure, of course, but I like to model my game after players who are always going after pucks, winning battles like Marchand and (Patrice) Bergeron as well.
Why was Army the best fit for your college career?
Not only does it give me the opportunity to play hockey and enjoy my time playing there, but it allows me a chance to get a great education, meet great people, and serve my country as well. It's all an honor you can't just give up if you're given it, so I was very thrilled with the opportunity.
I took it over a few other schools because I felt ready and mature enough because my process was a little longer. I felt like I could enable myself to make that decision. I don't have any history with West Point either. It's really that hockey brought me there, and I know the role you have to play there.
Did you have West Point on your radar all along or was it really hockey that introduced you?
It honestly was because of how local it was to me; it's a 50-minute drive, so my parents can come to the games and I'll have support there. But I didn't really know what I wanted because I wasn't getting that many looks. I didn't know if I wanted a Hockey East school or whatever. I wasn't really sure until a school offered and told me what they wanted out of me.
Coach talked to me for a while, and I just felt really secured there. I wanted to go to a place where I felt secured and comfortable. The staff and coaches there are amazing, and there's a great history with Coach (Brian) Riley and his family as well. Coach (Zach) McKelvie played for the Bruins. He was a great guy. They both know the game really well, and I think they're doing a great job there.
What did you take away most from your conversations with those coaches that you may not have known before?
I noticed that both of them were very up-front. They were very real with me and I could tell they wanted to make the program better. They told me how the community flows there. I liked a school with a community, so that school was close-knit and I felt that there. Small classrooms, too. I feel like that's what I need in a school in order to have success. They were always talking about the right stuff with me, and I couldn't go wrong with that.
As far as hockey, they're a grittier team. They were telling me how they play, and I like that type of game.
How important was finishing out your time at your hometown high school, and then when did Avon come into the equation?
I'm a big guy when it comes to supporting the community. Our high school waited, I believe, 16 years for a state title. I felt like it was part of my duty to stay there and help them win one for our town. They went to the finals six or seven times before getting a championship, so I thought it was time for Pelham to get one.
After that was done, I had a very good year. Coach (John Gardner) asked me to come in. He told me it would be difficult for me to come in, but I decided I wanted to make that jump. I felt really good about doing it. It was hard coming in with the recruits me did, but this is a place with kids who show up and want it. It was a hard adjustment, but I felt like I could do it because of my work ethic and the creative way I play.
Was the college process any more difficult given the path you followed?
The process was long for me because I came from New York public school and travel to playing right in prep, so it took me a little while. Last year was harder. I had a decent season, but some injuries came along and that kind of hurt me with the short game schedule. This summer I tried to train a little harder. As I did that, I noticed that the more work you put in, the more schools that will look at you. It was a longer process for me because I didn't get out there enough to be noticed, but I've been working really hard in the offseason trying to put a stamp on my name in prep.
What other schools did you consider in the college process?
After the (Avon Old Farms Christmas) Classic, a lot of schools were noticing me. But I wanted the best opportunity hockey-wise and academically as well. I had a few other schools like Maine and St. Lawrence, but I took West Point because not only does it have a strong hockey program but also because academics there are up there with Harvard and those schools. I thought it was a great opportunity that I couldn't give up.
Coach Gardner is obviously a legend in local prep circles, coaching so many guys before the college and pro levels. What have you learned most from him throughout your time there so far?
He's so knowledgeable. Even if there's something you didn't do wrong, there is something you did do wrong with him. He's always talking on the bench, he's very vocal and he knows so much. It would be silly not to listen to him because he's coached so many great guys over the years and he knows the game so well. He'll say things on the bench that you won't really grasp at first, but then you notice it during a game and go, 'Wow, this is what we have to do.'
How have you seen your individual game grow as a result of playing for Coach Gardner?
Playing for him, I learned quickly that it's all about grit, all hard work, and all what you put in. You've got to be focused in practice and that will translate into the games. When you come down the ice, he expects you to score on every shot, so you've got to be prepared to do that. He's not a guy who cares about excuses. You either do it or you don't, and if you don't do what he expects you won't play. He's a very straight-up guy, which I love about him and I think makes him a great coach.
They give you all the tools here to be successful, which is great, but it's your responsibility and duty if you want to use it.
How do you feel playing in his program is most helping you prepare for the next level?
With me, it's made me understand what I have to do and what I have to push aside. When I'm in-season, I have to make an obligation and make it my responsibility to show up and be prepared to my full capability. If I'm not, they're not going to use me. He pushes me that way and he didn't use me when I wasn't playing to my full capability. If you're not producing, you're not going to play. You have to show up every day and be ready to go.
What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
Right now, I really haven't been overthinking my game and I've just been playing well with my two linemates, Tabor (Heaslip) and (Tyler) Boucher. They've been with me, and we've been positive on the bench. We've sometimes had it a little bit tough where we weren't playing too well, but now we're just trying to keep that mental game in check. I just want to keep playing well. My main goal with the team is to win a New England championship and, personally, just evolve as a player like I am right now getting out there consistently.
