Three Germans Seek Hockey Glory in USA

Napravnik, Tuomie and Michaelis Seek U.S. Hockey Glory

Three German national team veterans are trying to make hockey history playing for an American University (NCAA) in Minnesota.

Seniors Marc Michaelis (Mannheim) and Parker Tuomie (Bremerhaven) are the leading scorers for #3 ranked Minnesota State University, while Julian Napravnik (Bad Nauheim) has demonstrated that he is the offensive future for the team known as the Mavericks.

Minnesota State currently leads all American Universities with 24 victories. Ever since Tuomie and Michaelis arrived on the campus in Mankato over three years ago, their Mavericks have won more games than any University team in the United States. In spite of that success, history has not been kind to the Minnesota State program.

The Mavericks have never won a game in the annual NCAA tournament, the 16-team competition that crowns a national champion each spring. Last March the Mavericks, the top-ranked team at their NCAA regional, failed to hold on to a three-goal lead in their opening match, suffering a bitter defeat to Providence College. That painful memory motivates young Tuomie.

Parker Tuomie, Proud Son of the Fatherland

“Now it’s just fuel,” said Tuomie, who along with Michaelis, is eager to finish his University career with a taste of glory. “For our senior class, there is no more second chances. We want to make the most of it.”

Michaelis, the two-time captain of Minnesota State, was enjoying his greatest offensive season (33 points in 25 games played) when he crashed into the net during a game at Bowling Green on January 17.

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MIchaelis injured his leg and has missed the last five games. His countrymen are doing their best to make up for the loss of their quiet leader.

“Obviously, with a guy like Marc, you’re never going to be able to replace a player like that,” said Tuomie. “For me, being in that senior position, I wanted to make sure I am at the top of my game and do everything I can to make our team better.”

A day following the injury to Michaelis, his German mates chipped in with the necessary offense to spark an emotional comeback victory. Tuomie scored a power play goal and Napravnik assisted on two more, including the Mavericks’ winning goal in sudden death overtime.

The next Saturday, Minnesota State suffered only their fourth loss of the year to in-state rival Bemidji 4-2. The Mavericks power play—ranked #1 in the country with Michaelis healthy—failed to score in their three man-up opportunities.

Last weekend Michaelis assisted on three goals, and Tuomie scored a last-minute goal with an extra attacker to lead Minnesota State to a win and a tie against Alaska Anchorage. But relentless Bemidji shaved another point off the Mavericks lead to 5 points in the standings.

There is no timeline when injured captain Michaelis will return to the Minnesota State lineup, but sooner is better for Minnesota State fans. They are counting on German national team veterans Michaelis. Tuomie and Napravnik to lead the Mavericks to their first taste of NCAA tournament success. How the team copes with the loss of Michaelis, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer among active players, is one of the major stories in college hockey today.

All of Minnesota State’s games can be watched via live stream on FloHockey.TV. Subscribers can view all of Minnesota State’s games On Demand as well. Next weekend the Mavericks will be playing nationally ranked Northern Michigan. At this writing, there is no official word as to whether or not Michaelis will be in uniform.