He’s arguably the most decorated player in Lopes’ Ice Hockey history, and the man they’ve called ‘Bash’ ever since he first stepped onto a Phoenix ice rink back in 2016, Michael Barabash, steps behind the bench for the 5th consecutive year as GCU’s goalie coach.
From 2017 through 2021, if you were an opponent of the young and emerging Lopes’ team, you knew that your main obstacle in beating GCU was standing between the pipes. Barabash, who grew up north of the border in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was one of Danny Roy’s biggest signings in the 2nd year of the program’s existence. Barabash started playing the sport at the age of 4, and already had a decorated resume’ before he ever arrived in Phoenix, earning goaltending awards and making all-star game appearances as early as his freshman year of high school. After playing for four different Canadian youth teams during his high school days (two in the AJHL, and one each from the SJHL and Midget AAA), Barabash headed to the Valley of the Sun, and immediately cemented his place as the Lopes’ starting goaltender. Barabash was the Lopes’ team MVP as a freshman, and to this day, started more games in goal than any Lopes’ goalie, including the Lopes’ first-ever game as an ACHA Division 1 squad.
Along the way, though, the books were as important as the ice for Barabash as he earned ACHA All-Academic Team honors during his junior year, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in earning his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from GCU in the spring of 2021. Barabash prepared for being a college coach as well, earning his coaching certification from USA Hockey; and before moving to the Grand Canyon State coached at the Goalie Development Institute.
GCU Club Sports has been a family affair for him as well, since he met his future bride, Mikalyn Almberg, who was one of Kris Naber’s top players while GCU Women’s Club Volleyball was winning their first national title, while both were in the GCU Club Sports fold. They’re celebrating their 4th wedding anniversary this year.
