Ian Michelone’s rollercoaster journey leads home
Ian Michelone’s Ottawa 67’s homecoming got off to a good start over the weekend, stopping 31 shots in a 6-4 win over the Owen Sound Attack.
A native of Kanata, Michelone grew up the child of first-generation immigrant parents from Brazil. Despite names like Neymar, Pelé, and Ronaldinho pulling young Brazilians into the game of soccer, Michelone says he hardly played the sport growing up, largely thanks to his father directing him toward hockey.
They probably didn’t know it then, but it was a decision that would pay off over time. Time was an important element, as it turns out, because Michelone was passed over in the OHL Priority Selection, and wasn’t drafted until the 2021 U18 Draft, when the Flint Firebirds scooped him up in the second round.
Eight games worth of action was all Michelone saw in that first season, and in 2022-23, he was sent back to Ottawa, where he suited up for the Renfrew Wolves. Quickly thereafter, he was acquired by the Windsor Spitfires, and was sent to the LaSalle Vipers.
In his first full season in the OHL, Michelone owned a 4.50 goals-against average, and a .867 save percentage, before being traded to the Barber Poles for a 12th-round pick.
“It’s not your usual journey,” Michelone said. “A lot of guys go straight from the draft to their new team, maybe they’ll be reassigned for a few games, but for me, it was a matter of believing in myself, and knowing that I have what it takes.”
The trade came as a shock, even though he had previously moved homes many times in his junior career, but it was a pleasant surprise.
“I wasn’t going through anything,” Michelone remembered. “I wasn’t prepared for anything, I wasn’t expecting anything. I got the call while eating breakfast, and was told I was being traded to Ottawa. Since it’s Ottawa, I was so happy, but it was hard leaving the guys in Windsor.”
He was welcomed to the club with open arms, especially by Collin MacKenzie, who eagerly awaited the arrival of his new goaltending partner, and friend.
“As soon as I got traded, Collin sent me a message,” Michelone said. “He’s a super good guy.”
The friendship has quickly developed, but the two are used to competition by now, and Michelone says nothing is going to change.
“It’s kind of the same situation I was in in Windsor, it’s two good goalies competing for the net,” he said. “Maybe I’m on the back foot, but I’ll be there pushing him, and he’ll be pushing me, and I think that’s what a team wants when it’s done in a positive manner.”
Competition has long been a theme at 67’s practice, something Michelone has picked up on straight away.
“I noticed that every single drill might not be different than what other teams are doing, but they all have a purpose, it feels like we’re on a mission to get better every day,” Michelone said. “That’s a part of [Head Coach Dave Cameron’s] personality, and it rubs off on us.”
Off to a good start, the new acquisitions – Michelone, Braeden Kressler, Sam Mayer, and Jacob Maillet – have all made it exceptionally clear: the goal for this club is to lift the J. Ross Robertson Cup at the end of the season.
“My personal goals are just to help the guys get better, and perform for them [when I’m in the net],” Michelone said. “I want to get deep into the playoffs and hopefully win it all.”
