'Runners Veteran Forward Eyes Bright Future
October 23, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Playing in his second full season with the Topeka RoadRunners and in his final year of junior eligibility, Mike Gornall is in an ideal position to see his goals and dreams come to fruition. The perfect embodiment of the term "student-athlete", Gornall is an individual who excels both in the classroom as well as on the ice.
Mike Gornall, a native of Irwin, PA began playing hockey at the age of 6. "My older brother was interested in playing hockey so I figured I'd give it a shot as well", he recalls. "The game just came to me naturally and throughout the years I continued to improve. I figured if I put in the time and effort, I could do something special." He skated with the Pittsburgh Hornets U16 team and was third on the team in scoring. The following season he moved up to the U18 club where he skated for 2 seasons, finishing just one point behind the team leader in the 2011-12 season. In the 2012-13 season, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U18 team, he led the team in assists and averaged well over a point per game. His performance earned him a call-up to the Topeka RoadRunners where he skated in 4 games, and notched his first junior hockey goal. He made the Topeka roster the following season and played himself into an every night type of player who has a solid physical presence to complement his tenacious on-ice work ethic and skill set. Topeka Head Coach / GM Scott Langer likes what Gornall brings to the table. "Mike is a big bodied, tough to play against forward", he says. "He plays both ends of the rink with a high compete level." And, alluding to Gornall's academic prowess, Langer adds, "His intelligence both on and off the ice will take him far."
Coming to Topeka was an easy choice for Gornall, who checks in at 6'0" and a solid 212 lbs. "I had heard nothing but good things about Coach Langer and the RoadRunners organization. Their history of success as well as their current identity was very appealing to me."
Balancing school and athletics is a juggling act that for some, can be a struggle. Not so for Gornall, who says, "It's definitely something that isn't easy. You must be able to manage between the two and put in a lot of effort in order to be successful." With a GPA that reads 92% and an SAT of 1710 that places him in roughly the 79th percentile nationally for all students who took the SAT test, he's proven his ability to manage. When he does nail down his college plans, he has a good idea of which direction he wants to go with his major. "My ideal major would be actuary science", he reveals. What does he envision himself doing once his playing days come to an end? "You know, I haven't really thought that far ahead yet. Not everyone gets to do what they love everyday so I'm just trying to enjoy the ride and live in the moment. As far as after hockey, I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
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