An officer, a gentleman and a hockey player

ALLEN, Texas – Every season, pro hockey training camps across North America are filled with players chasing the dream of advancing to the next level, with the ultimate goal of making “The Show”, a spot on a National Hockey League roster.
One such story is unfolding in Allen, Texas, where a former U.S. Army officer, recently released from active duty is pursuing his dream of playing professional hockey. How fitting a place for a young patriot to chase his dream than with a team named the Americans.
 
Luke Flicek is a 28-year-old rookie forward and former military intelligence officer in the United States Army. Released from active duty after serving a 12-month tour in Iraq last Friday, Flicek made a beeline for Texas on Sunday and was suited up on the ice Monday morning for the first day of training camp.
 
The 5’ 10” 185-pound winger is no stranger to the Dallas area, having played two years with the Texas Tornado of the NAHL (2002-04), including their first Robertson Cup championship team in 2004. Playing for the Tornado in 106 games, Flicek notched 32 goals and 55 assists for 87 points.
 
Earning a coveted appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Burnsville, Minn. native continued to play hockey for four years, amassing 38 goals and 72 assists for 110 points in 131 games before entering into active service with the U.S. Army.
 
Flicek is excited to be back on the ice in familiar territory and thrilled to reunite with a couple of former Tornado players, Tyler Ludwig and Jason Deitsch, who are also on the Americans training camp roster.
 
“Of all the places that I’ve been able to live, bouncing around through school, hockey and the Army, Texas – the Dallas area specifically – is a place that is near and dear to my heart,” Flicek said. “I couldn’t be happier to be back down here, right down the road from the old barn.” 
 

Americans Head Coach Dwight Mullins and Associate Coach Bill McDonald knew of Flicek from his college playing days. They reached out to him upon hearing of his desire to pursue a professional hockey career upon his release from the Army and offered him a tryout.
 
It’s easy and vital to stay in top physical shape while on active duty in the military but ice is hard to come by in the Iraqi desert, so Flicek stayed in shape with dry land training overseas until his tour ended in September. Upon his return to the States he hit the ice to get back his rhythm in preparation for camp just weeks away and he’s been pleased with his camp experience so far.
 
“I’m feeling better each and every day; the on-ice stuff we’re doing in practice is up tempo,” Flicek said. ” Dwight wants to keep everything top speed, which works out great to get us in the best physical shape possible. The off-ice stuff we’re doing is up tempo as well – explosive movements, weights and cross-fit which will pay dividends when the season starts.” 
 
He had a successful debut in front of the home crowd Wednesday evening, showing good speed and nice hands when he rang a wrister into the net off the right post past goaltender Rejean Beauchemin during the teams’ U.S.-Canada intra-squad scrimmage.
 
While he has shown he can score goals throughout his career, Flicek feels he fills the role of play maker best.
 
“Throughout high school, juniors and college I’ve been a play maker for the most part,”” Flicek explained. “I can usually find guys and put them in good spots to put the puck in the net and I’ve been able to put the puck in a little myself. On the defensive side of things, I work hard and do everything I can to help keep the puck out of the net and try and lead by example the best that I can.”
 
Given his past life experiences serving his country, that example should be ideal.
  Contact the writer at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at chip.crail@prohockeynews.com