Zbynek Michalek Makes Return A Test Run For Sochi

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Zbynek Michalek, Phoenix Coyotes defenseman, has been out since a hip injury waylaid him in mid-December. It was another tough loss for the Coyotes who have been injury plagued all season. Zbynek had been fighting off the nagging pain in his hip for almost two months before going on IR, a decision that must have been tough for a player who prides himself on giving everything he has for his team. And until he sat out he had been.

Now he’s got another team he’d like to serve with every fiber of his being. The Czech Republic Sochi Olympic team has added Zbynek to the roster and playing for his country means a lot to him. That’s why he joined the Coyotes on the ice last night. a sort of test run to see if he’s going to be able to play when the games kick off February 6th.

"It’s a good time now that I have maybe three weeks before the Olympics and enough games to judge if it’s good enough or not and we’ll make a decision after. It’s a good thing that we still have time left, and I don’t have to make any decisions right now. – Zbynek Michalek"

At a time like this Coach Tippet is going to give him the chance to play. He needs players like Zbynek. Players who not only exhibit skills on the ice but also lead by example off.

"He’s the type of player that he gets in, he gives you everything he’s got, and that’s what we’re looking for right now. We’re looking for players to max out and give us everything they’ve got to help us win. He’s a big part of that identity on our team. – Tippy"

During last night’s win against the Canucks, Zbynek didn’t have an enormous impact but for a team who is on the brink who knows what sort of impact they need to get back in their winning ways. I’m not going to say he aided them in defeating Vancouver 1-0, but he put in over sixteen minutes of play and as always, gave everything he had.

That’s it for now, until next time, stay ornery Arizona.