If you were to look up the word meticulous in the dictionary there is a pretty good chance you would find Michael Frolik‘s picture beside it.
The routine never changes; the work both on and off the ice never wavers.
I joke with my fellow media colleagues that on game days the 29-year-old Calgary Flames forward probably finds a local rink for an afternoon skate to go along with the morning effort which he never misses, optional or not.
The product of Kladno, Czech Republic was once referred to as Baby Jagr, after Jaromir who was his childhood idol and now suits up regularly with as a member of the Flames.
The moniker picked up steam at the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., when Frolik played in as a sixteen year old, in his first of four appearances for his country in the event. I watched him in person for the first time at that event and it was evident he was a good player.
As he closes in on game No. 700, no one will ever look at Frolik as a star.
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Frolik, who, in my opionion, is part of one of the best two way lines in the NHL with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk, is a player that I would bet every current and former teammate has great respect for. And there likely isn’t a coach or a GM that doesn’t appreciate what he brings to the table on a nightly basis.
Frolik’s greatest moment in hockey was winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, during which he drew the first assist on the cup clinching goal by David Bolland with 59 seconds left in game six against the Boston Bruins.
When I brought it up to him the other day prior to Calgary’s game against the Arizona Coyotes, not only did he tell me it still gives him goosebumps when his mind wanders there, but I physically saw the goosebumps on his arms.
The 6’1, 187 pound winger incidentally upended Flames captain Mark Giordano for the team fitness title prior to the start of the teams main camp — no easy chore; not one bit.
The 2014 Czech Olympian’s main goal is to do everything in his power to help the Flames reach their ultimate goal. When he tells me that, I truly believe it. I watch it each and every day.
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In a world where we celebrate stars, I always want to celebrate the working man. The working man who, in this case, puts on a his skates – albeit a new pair every six games – each day and gives the same effort to every game, practice and off-ice workout.
A pro’s pro. A player you win with.
I asked him where his love of the game and incredible work ethic comes from. He gave a lot of credit to his dad Stanislav who was a player in the Czech second division. Frolik said his household was all about hockey and that his father was a true driving force. In fact, even now when his dad is at or watches Michael play, they will still break down almost every shift.
Stanislav always had one main message: never stop trying to get better.
He never has and never will.
I asked Glen Gulutzan what comes to mind when he thinks about Michael Frolik. Two words: Mr. Consistency.
That really sums up the story of the Flames No. 67 who never gives any less than 100 per cent in every situation and to everyone who deals with him.
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