Ondrej Smalec '17 Recruiting Profile

Part of a family that immigrated to the US from Slovakia when i was just 3 years old, i'm determined to go somewhere with hockey so i can one day give back to my parents all the time and money they have spent on me. I'm a very competitive individual who sets goals for himself and fights through everything to achieve those goals. I compete with myself all the time. Before every season, i set a goal save percentage for the season that i have hit, or bettered every year since i started setting that goal 4 years ago as a goalie playing U16. I like to balance my academic work with my athletics where i maintain at least a 3.7 GPA. As a senior, i am captain of my high school hockey team. I'm the first goalie to have a captain's "C" in school history. Due to my high GPA and near perfect school attendance, i finished my senior year of high school on January 9th and started going full time to Essex County College. I train twice a day, every day, every week on the ice, and if i'm not on the ice, i'm studying; if i'm not on the ice OR studying, i'm in the gym. I strive to be the best; to be the best, you have to outplay the best. I respect all, but fear none. Competition is my friend and i will not slow down until i achieve every one of my goals.