Reading Royals Rookie Speedy Defenceman Rob Michel Has Stabilized The Blue Line In His First Pro Season

Photo Credit: Reading Royals

Rob Michel didn’t know what to expect during his rookie campaign, and first professional season with the Reading Royals. After finishing his tenure at the University of Maine, he is surprised at how well the backend has stabilized with the Royals, with how depleted the Lehigh Valley Phantoms defense has been at times this season. This young man has really evolved into a solid defenseman in his short stint in a purple sweater, “As a rookie you kind of come in, and look at the older older Veteran D guys to show you the ropes on how to play the right way, but yeah this D corps has rrslly come together, committing to a defensive first style, thus were allowing the least goals against.”

Michel’s good agility allows him to quickly transition from offense to defense. He is a strong two-way player with a good slapshot and wrist shot, get it…Slapshot like the mascot, it’s only fitting right!!! He makes a strong first pass out of the zone, and he could work best as the gun slinger on the point on the Power Play.

The young 25-year-old in Michel is best known for his defensive game. His skating ability makes him tough to beat one-on-one. Moreover, his size as he stands at 6’2″ 194 pounds, allows him to play a physical game in the corners, and to clear the front of the net. He credits Assistant Coach Nick Luukko for helping him fine tune his defensive game, “When I first came in I was sporadic. Coach Luukko and I watched videos of my shifts. He showed me what I should be doing, and what I shouldn’t be doing. One on one time paid off in letting the play come to me more, and I thank him for instilling that into me.”

Michel signed an AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on September 20, 2019. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen after this season in terms of a contract, however, he is grateful to the Flyers organization for allowing him to use their facility this past Summer, “I was in Voorhees from July till Camp, it was a big opportunity for me,” Michel said, “Gave me the opportunity to work with the Flyers staff, first class. Gave me an opportunity to work with the best of the best, so it was a good Summer for me.”

The former University of Maine product in Michel continued, “We had a good core group of guys that worked out last summer together at the training facility to include Joel Farabee. He’s from around my hometown. No one was surprised he made the jump up, I played him at BU, he’s good.”

At Flyers Developmental Camp this past June, Michel took Flyers young defensive prospect Mason Millman under his Wing. He showed Millman the ropes, and really the two formed a good friendship, “First being the older guy I took Millman under my Wing,” Michel said, “We had a good friendship there. It’s a relationship we built at camp. He’s a good young player with a bright future.”

If Michel keeps producing like he currently is doing (2g,9a), keeps shutting down his opponents on a nightly basis, then make no mistake about it Michel has a good shot at re-signing with the Phantoms or Royals. Whatever the case maybe, Michel is what the doctor ordered, defensive wise, for this young Royals team this season.