Mike Zacharias

Mike Zacharias grew up as a multi-sport athlete for the Armstrong Athletic Association in Plymouth, MN, playing hockey, baseball, and lacrosse. While at Armstrong High School, he lettered in Varsity hockey as a sophomore and junior. After his sophomore season, he was selected to the USA U-17 National Team that participated in the 5 Nations Cup in Slovakia. For his senior year, he decided to forgo his last year of high school hockey and play in the USHL for the Topeka Scarecrows, where he was named to the USHL All-Rookie team. He played 3 seasons in the USHL for the Topeka Scarecrows, St. Louis Eagles, and Tri-City Storm, where he was voted team MVP.

Mike then went on to play for Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks in the WCHA. While at Mankato, Mike was voted WCHA Defensive Player of the Week multiple times and is the only two-time team MVP in MSU history. He also took part in an epic WCHA playoff weekend that went 3 games versus rivals University of Minnesota and Coach Peltier.

After his senior year, he signed a pro contract with the Los Angeles Kings farm system where he spent 2 seasons playing for the Ontario Reign. He then went to play in Europe for the next 3 season, which included 2 in the French Elite league for the Rapaces de Gap, where he was voted to the First Team Ligue Magnus, team MVP, and French Sportsman of the Year, and 1 in the British Elite League for the Coventry Blaze.

During and after Mike’s retirement, he held multiple coaching and development positions including 8 years as coach and evaluator for the MN Select 15’s, as well as Director of Player Development for the Armstrong /Cooper Youth Hockey Association.