Former NHL goalie Wall calls it a career
Smithers Interior News
The road less travelled is aptly named, because it usually is more difficult to follow.
After taking the hard road throughout his youth all the way up to the NHL level, Mike Wall is now taking that less traveled path back to Smithers. Returning to his roots, Wall is embarking on new challenges that will see him cross many paths.
At 23 years old, Wall has accomplished things that undoubtedly made the Bulkley Valley proud. Winning two NHL games, scoring a goal, and playing in the Memorial Cup highlight an impressive list of feats.
He was even involved in an NHL trade, moving from Anaheim to Colorado in exchange for Brad May. Now Wall is making an unusual transition from NHL goaltender to Central Interior Hockey League defenseman, for the hometown Smithers Steelheads.
“It’s something exciting for me, something new. It’s challenging for me, which makes it all the more worthwhile,” he said.
Worthwhile though it may be, it is an abrupt ending to a promising goaltending career. The level of commitment that it takes to play at the highest level detracts a lot from other areas of your life, he said, and Wall is reclaiming what may have been lost if he continued to mind the crease at the professional level.
“Right now, I want to take time and relax and do a lot of the things I haven’t done,” he said. “I think that because I experienced so much in the three years I played professional hockey, it was fairly easy to let go.”
Wall wrestled with the nature of the commitment throughout the past year, but came to terms with the fact that it wasn’t right for him.
Thankfully for the Steelheads, Wall’s passion for hockey has not subsided. He is thrilled to be learning his new position and contributing to the team in an unfamiliar but satisfying role.
“It’s something I have to work at every day. To me, it’s more enjoyable than just doing the same old thing and not really challenging myself,” he said.
His contributions are showing already, as he picked up a goal in the Steelheads’ second game against the Omineca Ice.
Looking ahead to a new set of career aspirations, Wall is considering the fitness field.
“Personal training is something I picked up from hockey that I truly enjoy,” he said.
His high level of fitness will serve him well as he learns the ropes of playing defense, where strength and stamina are pivotal.
Strength is the central word in Mike’s life. It takes strength, both physical and mental and to dedicate your youth to a goal as lofty as making the NHL, and it takes even more mental strength and clairvoyance to take the path less traveled, passing up fame and fortune to pursue simpler things.
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