Mike Zalewski

Michael Zalewski
Born	(1992-08-18) August 18, 1992 Syracuse, New York, United States
Occupation(s)	Professional ice hockey player, sales representative
Years active	2010–present
Known for	Ice hockey player for EC KAC, former Vancouver Canucks player

Michael Zalewski (born August 18, 1992) is a professional ice hockey player from the United States, currently signed with EC KAC competing in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). His previous experience includes playing for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Originating from Syracuse, New York, Zalewski developed his early hockey skills locally and spent a season with the Syracuse Stars in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. Although selected 122nd overall by the Youngstown Phantoms during the USHL draft, he opted not to sign and instead competed for two seasons with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. In 2010, while playing for Vernon, he committed to participate in Division I college hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Over two NCAA seasons (2012–14) with the RPI Engineers, Zalewski amassed 21 goals and 26 assists across 71 games. During his freshman year, he was the leading scorer among all first-year players on his team with 21 points.

On March 14, 2014, Zalewski secured an entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. He debuted in the NHL on April 12, 2014. After not establishing a permanent position on Vancouver’s roster, he agreed to a one-year American Hockey League (AHL) contract with their affiliate, the Utica Comets, on July 8, 2015. Subsequently, on January 20, 2016, Zalewski signed a two-way contract with Vancouver and was recalled to the NHL roster that same day.

Following three seasons within the Canucks organization, Zalewski inked a one-year contract with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on July 17, 2017, joining his brother Steven who had previously played there. Throughout the 2017–18 DEL campaign, he contributed 14 goals and totaled 31 points over 51 games.

After completing his tenure with Straubing, Zalewski signed a one-year contract with Kölner Haie on July 5, 2018. Later, on August 22, 2019, he transitioned to the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL), signing a one-year deal with the Vienna Capitals. During that season, Zalewski recorded 15 goals and accumulated 33 points in 46 regular-season games; additionally, he added two assists in three playoff contests before postseason play was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a free agent prior to the start of the 2020–21 DEL season, Zalewski returned to Kölner Haie by signing a one-year contract on December 11, 2020.

Personal life

Zalewski comes from a family of hockey players; his brothers include Steven, who formerly played in the NHL for teams such as the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, and Rich, who competed in the Southern Professional Hockey League. His sister Annika is an active collegiate hockey player at Colgate University.

Outside of hockey, Michael is employed as a sales representative for Redwood Software.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005–06	New Hartford High	USHS		3	0	1	1	—		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	New Hartford High	USHS		23	7	8	15	—		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	New Hartford High	USHS		24	23	27	50	—		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	New Hartford High	USHS		23	36	30	66	—		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Syracuse Stars	EJHL		43	16	32	48	28		2	0	1	1	4
2010–11	Vernon Vipers	BCHL		46	12	17	29	34		16	5	3	8	4
2011–12	Vernon Vipers	BCHL		60	38	37	75	83		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	R.P.I.	ECAC		36	12	9	21	22

Awards and distinctions

Honor	Year awarded
Player of the Year for New York High School Hockey	2008–09
Champion of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)	2010–11
CJHL Doyle Cup Winner	2010–11
RBC Cup Titleholder	2010–11