March 9, 2010
Former Lincoln Stars defenseman Michael Sdao is now a defenseman at Princeton University. (Stars photo courtesy of USHL Images and Princeton photo courtesy of Beverly Schaefer)
USHL.com presents the first installment in a series of features which allows fans to hear the voices of USHL alumni, who will talk about where they are now and how the USHL got them to that point.
Michael Sdao recently completed his freshman season at Princeton University. As a defenseman for the Tigers, he collected nine points (5g, 4a) and led the team with 48 penalty minutes in 30 games played. Before enrolling at the Ivy League school, he spent two seasons (2007-09) in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars. In 104 total USHL games, he registered 19 points (6g, 13a), a plus-12 rating, and amassed 340 penalty minutes. Shortly after the completion of his USHL career, the 6-4, 220-pound blueliner was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round (191st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Sdao took a few moments to share his voice as one of the many proud USHL alumni.
USHL.com: As the only freshman defenseman on the Princeton roster you have quickly adjusted to the collegiate game, but how difficult was that transition?
Sdao: It took me some time to get used to systems in college hockey. There is an increased importance of each faceoff and special teams play in the college game and only having only 22 regular season games makes each point that much more important in college.
How much do you think playing in the USHL helped that transition?
Playing in the USHL definitely helped with my transition to the college game. The skill and speed of the players in the USHL allowed me to adapt quickly.
In addition to hockey, how has the transition been to academic life at an Ivy League school?
Taking a couple of courses at Princeton this summer helped smooth my transition academically and the availability of professors if you don't understand a concept or need some extra help has definitely helped with my adjustment.
Have you selected a major or have any favorite courses to this point?
At Princeton, you do not decide on a major until midway through your sophomore year and I am currently taking a wide range of courses. I am in my second semester of Italian and it has been my favorite course. I'm enjoying the challenge of learning a new language.
Besides hockey, what have you enjoyed the most?
We have a great group of guys and are split with half the roster being American and the other half Canadian, so the intrasquad rivalry gets pretty intense. The USA vs. Canada gold medal game (at the Olympics) was fun with bragging rights on the line.
How is a typical day at Princeton different from the typical day with the Stars in the USHL?
When I played for the Stars, I would get up in the morning around 8:00 AM and most days go to work at Timberwolf Cabinet Shop until about 12:30 PM before heading to practice. After practice, when I didn't have a night class, I would head home for a good home-cooked dinner from my host family and have a few teammates over.
At Princeton, I wake up most days around 8:00 AM, have class until 2:30 PM, and then head to the rink for practice. It is awesome having the rink 100 feet from my dorm room and being able to hop on the ice right after class. After practice, I go eat with a few of my teammates. Our dining hall food is great. Then I spend the rest of the night doing homework and watching NHL on the Fly. In the offseason, I hope to find time to play on the Princeton golf course, which I can see out of my dorm window.
How was the feeling of scoring a goal in just your second collegiate hockey game?
It was a relief getting my first goal early on in my college career. I had to wait until after Christmas to get my first USHL goal, so it was nice to get that first goal behind me.
Your Lincoln Stars teammate Eric Meland is also a freshman at Princeton, so has it helped your transition seeing a familiar face every day at the rink?
Playing with Eric Meland and Will MacDonald (Indiana Ice), who I played with at Culver for two years, has been nice. I think I am pretty lucky to have already played with a few of my teammates before coming to Princeton.
What has it been like seeing some familiar faces in college that you played against in the USHL?
It has been great playing against some of the same guys in college as I did in the USHL. A few of the top scorers from the USHL are now playing at our rival schools. I've enjoyed competing against Andrew Miller (Chicago Steel) at Yale and Louis Leblanc (Omaha Lancers) at Harvard, amongst others. Playing against some of my former Stars teammates has been fun too.
How big of a thrill was it to be selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Senators and were you surprised to be drafted?
Getting drafted was definitely a thrill. I think every kid who loves the game dreams of playing in the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup. Getting drafted has made me that much more hungry to chase after my dream. I knew that there was a chance I would get picked and couldn't be happier that Ottawa selected me.
Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to current USHL players to help them prepare for the next steps in their careers?
Take advantage of the extra time you have around the rink to work on your skills and work hard in the weight room.
What advice would you give players who are looking to play in the USHL?
If you don't get drafted into the USHL, it is not a big deal. Go to a tryout camp and do whatever you can to make the team.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its eighth season as the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league in 2009-10. With over 210 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
