Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Change of scenery adds bigger role

Michael Cicek looking to make a name for himself with new team

Sep 21, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Michael Cicek can sympathize with former Kelowna Rockets Kiel McLeod, Mark Guggenberger, Lucas and Evan Bloodoff, and most recently Madison Bowey.

That group had their name mispronounced by more public address announcers across the league than they could count on both hands.

“A lot of people butcher my last name”, Cicek (Tshi-tshek) said honestly. “I get ‘sea-check’, I get ‘sea-sick’. It is Cicek, coming from Turkey.”

The 19-year-old forward isn’t wrong, as his surname is carried by more people in the Republic of Turkey than any other. His dad, Nazim, was born in the country of 85 million people.

Twenty-seven games shy of 100 for his WHL career, Cicek is hoping to make a name for himself with his new team.

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“I was surprised by the trade,” the likable forward told RocketFAN. “I woke up one summer morning and got a call that I was headed to Kelowna. It was mixed emotions at the time, but it is good to be here. I like our team. It is exciting. I like our chances of what we can do this season.”

Cicek, who’s brother played four  seasons with the Portland Winterhawks and is currently attending San Jose Sharks main camp, was dealt to the Rockets on May 26 for a conditional 5th-round WHL Prospects pick.

“It was tough playing in this building [Prospera Place],” Cicek admitted. “Now skating out of the Ogopogo head is pretty fun. Being on the other side of things is going to be a lot better.”

To be fair, Cicek didn’t make a name for himself in two seasons with the Chiefs mainly due to injury. Dressing in just 41 regular season games last year, twice, once in late October and once in late December, the Winnipeg product missed a significant amount of time.

“I wouldn’t say there is pressure from other people [to perform], but there is from myself to be a leader and show some of the younger faces on the team how to play in this league and what it takes to win.”

With only four goals last season, three of them coming in three consecutive games after starting 2022-2023 goal-less in the opening 18 games, the hope is a healthier player will translate into a more productive one.

“I kind of think of myself as a Ryan O’Reilly or Anze Kopitar,” Cicek added. “I am a two-way forward, both offensive and defensive.”

A centreman, who will provide some size down the middle with his new team, the statistics show he needs to be more shot-happy in the offensive zone. In Spokane, Cicek fired just 41 pucks on net, which ranked him 19^th on the team in that category. His shot value with his new team would rank him just ahead of centreman Ethan Neutens, who scored once last season in 36 shot attempts.

The hope is a change of scenery will do Cicek some good. We saw that most recently with ex-Rockets Jake Poole being dealt to the Victoria Royals and Alex Swetlikoff flourishing with the Everett Silvertips as an overager.

“Mally [Kris Mallette] is a good coach,” Cicek asked how his new bench boss could get untapped potential out of him. “He holds everyone accountable and holds me accountable. He makes sure we are working hard so we can set a good example for the younger guys in practice and in games.”

Offensive numbers aside, Cicek should provide more success at the face-off circle, which allows the team to start the play with the puck, rather than trying to get it back.

“I think it’s about going in there [faceoff circle] and being as hard as you can,” Cicek not tipping his hat on winning draws. “The best chance of success is coming out first with the puck, so that’s what I like to think about.”

The Rockets will meet the Chiefs for the first time since the trade on Oct. 7, but the former 6th-round bantam pick in 2019 isn’t making a big deal of it.

“I don’t have it marked on my calendar,” he said. “I am excited about the game and playing against some familiar faces, and hopefully take it to them with a new roster.”

With the home opener set for Saturday night at Prospera Place when the Kelowna Rockets welcome the Portland Winterhawks, Cicek is hopeful his name is pronounced correctly over the PA sound system.

“I don’t know if there is a right way to come out onto the ice,” Cicek chuckled when asked about being introduced to the hometown crowd.

“I think if you come out with energy, have a smile on your face, and give the crowd a wave, I am sure they will cheer for me.”