Mike Hartwick – From Dartmouth to Devils

CARDIFF,U.K- Cardiff Devils Head coach Gerad Adams has been searching for a tough defenseman to dominate the Devils zone since he took control of the team in 2006. At 6’4″ and 225 lbs, the signing of former Ivy League defenseman Mike Hartwick means Adams has finally got his man. 
Following a championship-winning college career at Dartmouth in the prestigious Ivy League, Mike Hartwick spent the majority of his first professional season with the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the ECHL. There, he achieved a plus 8 plus/minus stat, making him one of only two players to record a plus rating on the Sea Wolves roster during that season.
However, after just one season away from juggling hockey and school, Hartwick will once again be combining the two, this time in the UK Elite League with the Devils and Cardiff University. Hartwick must like a challenge?

“To be honest I’d planned on combining hockey with studying for a while now, I knew there was an opportunity to do that in the UK and started doing my research last December,” Hartwick said “It’s definitely what I want to do and it’s a great opportunity for me to get the best of both worlds,”
“In Dartmouth I’d split around 80 hours a week equally between hockey and study, I found it a little strange last year in the ECHL just playing hockey I had a lot of free time and wasn’t used to it.”
Hartwick spoke to me from Vermont where he’s been involved in hockey camps over the summer. He will head out to Ontario before flying over to Cardiff to join up with his new team mates.
“I only know Peter Aubry from his days at Texas, but Neil Francis (who is entering his  fourteenth season with his hometown club) has already added me on Facebook so hopefully it won’t be too long before I settle in.” Hartwick said
Speaking with Hartwick made me realise how much of a new and to a large extent unknown challenge his move to Cardiff will be, It’s something he clearly thrives on.
“I’ve been to Europe before, but never to Wales, I’ve always held ambitions to see new places and will continue that in my career after hockey as well,” Hartwick said “I’ve done some research and Cardiff looks like a great young city.”
Facing challenges is nothing new to Hartwick. As part of the Ivy League, Dartmouth College breeds success and instils a competitive edge in its graduates. It accepts roughly only 13% of applicants. Hartwick established himself as a key part of Dartmouth’s defensive unit, icing in every game in his last two seasons and winning two championships. His young career is littered with success and Devils fans will be hoping he carries forward that tradition in a Devils uniform next season. Hartwick has no doubts about the kind of club he wants to be a part of in Cardiff. “I want to challenge for a championship, I know Cardiff (Devils) has been close to winning big trophies over the last two seasons, but I want to help the team go on to the next level.” Hartwick said
The Devils have been gifted with an array of inspirational offensive defensemen over recent years. However, the Devils have struggled in finding a dominant presence in their defensive zone. As a result, Hartwick’s signing has been warmly welcomed by Coach Gerad Adams.
“He’s a big strong guy who will move traffic from in-front of our net, his presence at the back will be crucial for us next year,” Adams said Hartwick concurs with his new coach, but also hopes to add a further dimension. “I’m a stay at home defensemen and like to play a hard physical game, but I’ve also got a big shot so hopefully I can make a contribution in the offensive zone as well.” Hartwick said
Mike Hartwick knows what it takes to achieve. He joined Dartmouth College in the prestigious Ivy League where he helped his team to an ECAC title and Ivy League title in 2006 and 2007 respectively. In his final two seasons he appeared in every game and attended the Boston Bruins training camp before returning to Dartmouth for his senior year. In his final year at Bishop Guertin High School he was named New Hampshire Division 1 player of the year.
Contact the author at Aled.Lloyd@prohockeynews.com Photo: Mike Hartwick