Like many young hockey players, Michael Karow's dream is to play in the NHL. Two weeks ago, that dream took a major step towards becoming a reality when the Green Bay native was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.
"Mom was out of her seat before I was," Karow joked. "To hear your name called is something you dream about as a little kid."
The star defenseman is only the fifth player in history drafted to the NHL from the Green Bay area. Of those five, three (including Karow) played for coach Cory McCracken at Notre Dame Academy.
"It's probably the most gratifying thing to see kids realize their dreams and aspirations in the game beyond high school," coach McCracken said.
The first Triton to find success at the elite level was 2010 alumni Max McCormick. The former WIAA Player of the Year is currently playing for the Ottawa Senators in the NHL.
"Every young player in Green Bay can look at that and say, well why can't I do that," McCracken said.
So far, McCormick is the only Notre Dame Academy alumni to crack an NHL roster, but other former Tritons aren't far behind. Mason Appleton was recently named captain at Michigan State, and he's a top prospect for the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Nell is an undrafted former All-State goalie who signed a deal with the New York Rangers in March.
Next up, Michael Karow.
"He's a natural leader," McCracken said. "It's a consistent pattern with Max or Mason or Chris Nell and now Michael, is that they're all self driven."
And they all wore Notre Dame Academy on their jersey at one time.
