NSR Male AOD: Michael Goldfine, ice hockey goalie, cancer survivor from Stevenson High, Illinois, with a 3.2 GPA

Our Male Athlete of the Day is an accomplished ice hockey goalie from Stevenson High School in  Lincolnshire, Illinois, Michael Goldfine.  He carries a 3.2 GPA and plans a major in Environmental Science.  He has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments over his career in high school and club hockey.  His NSR scout Andrew Novelli says, “A goaltender with plus size at 6’1, 200. Excellent rebound control – limits second chances. Great balance and athleticism. Fast twitch muscles and impressive lateral movement. A good stick handler and controls the puck well. Moves well in fly – nice technique. Diagnosed with Leukemia in July of 2010 but was a rapid early responder. Got on the ice as often as possible and recorded a shutout in his first game back in net. Is now stronger than ever and has overcome all odds. Has helped raise over $20,000 to build a teen lounge at the Children’s Memorial Hospital and also raises money for cancer research. Truly inspirational and always proving people wrong. Extremely coachable and maintains a positive attitude and outlook on life. Even after missing 42 days of school, he stayed on the honor roll maintaining a B average. Undecided on career pursuits but interested in Sustainability and Environmental Science. With great maturity and character, Michael will be a valuable asset to any collegiate hockey program.”  And in his essay to college coaches, Michael states, “I am a person with strong character traits and determination to succeed in life. Being a cancer survivor has given me a unique perspective on life and the desire to provide community service to help others that have gone through similar experiences. Some of my goals athletically are to continue to get stronger and continue to improve on my quickness and agility. I currently have great rebound control and lateral movement while being a big body in the net.  In July 2010, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), which required undergoing chemotherapy treatments that left me very tired and very weak. During that early summer within a few weeks of treatment, the ALL went into remission. I tried to skate again, but I could not skate for more than 5 minutes before feeling like I was going to pass out. I did not let that stop me. I was determined to get back into playing condition so I went over to the nearby rinks and health club every day to skate and workout. I also went to goalie clinics that summer put on by my goalie coachto help regain my stamina as well. Slowly but surely, I regained the 40 pounds I lost and regained a lot of the strength and endurance I had lost.  I made the team during the 2010-2011 season, but I had limited playing time due to the chemo treatments that caused low blood levels during that phase of the treatment. During the 2010-2011 season; I went 7-0-1 with 3 shutouts (including my first game back) and a save percentage as 0.918.  I missed 42 days of school that year because of treatments, but I still maintained a B average. While being treated, I helped fundraise around $19,000 for a new teen lounge at the new Children’s Memorial Hospital and also helped fundraise around $2,000 for the Christopher Steele foundation to help find a cure for brain and other types of cancers. My health issues kept me on the bench for part of that season, but I was a positive influence to my teammates and helped encourage them to play harder. I also observed the opposing goalie for any weaknesses he had, and gave my teammates tips to use against him to improve scoring opportunities. I was awarded the Metro North Hockey Association Presidents Award for my hockey and community service during that season.  Another example of my determination to succeed occurred during early Spring 2011 while I was going through the worst part of my treatments. It was the beginning of Spring tryouts for baseball and I was in the hospital for a week undergoing treatments. I got out of the hospital in the morning and went straight to baseball tryouts and gave it my all. I did the same during subsequent treatments and participated to the best of my ability and because of that, I made the team. I never felt sorry for myself or used my illness/treatments as an excuse. I was recently named Chicago Blackhawks Player of the Month for Oct 2011 and Comcast Sports Net conducted an interview with me that aired during January/February 2012. I recently dropped the puck during the pregame ceremony during a Chicago Wolves AHL game for a Cancer charities night event.  I am currently in full remission from my disease and feel great. I have gone through hell and back by surviving cancer while still playing hockey, baseball and attending school through all of the treatments. I will bring that determination and knowledge to a hockey team by keeping everyone determined 100% of the time. I will also be able to bring a lot of fundraising ideas to the University and help inspire other students with my story to get involved in community service.  In summary, I am a goalie with a big heart and big body and also a good student. No matter what school I attend, I will give it my all, and will be determined at all times to help improve the hockey program, the surrounding community, and the University as a whole.”