International standout turned Gryphons captain continues to shine among OUA's elite

Guelph, Ont. (by David DiCenzo) - There was a piece of advice that Mikkel Aagaard received from his first hockey coach that has stuck with him his whole career – don’t worry about the last shift, always look at what’s ahead. Those words have guided the talented native of Fredrikshavn, Denmark on the ice but more importantly, off it. It’s been a useful mantra through a journey that’s brought him to several interesting stops a world away from home.

At this moment in time, he’s a Guelph Gryphon hockey player. And a good one, a new captain who led the country in both goals (22) and points (46). Where Aagaard has been doesn’t matter as much as where he’s going. That includes getting a university degree and in the shorter term, hopefully helping lead the powerhouse Gryphons to another lengthy run in the OUA playoffs.

“I felt like I needed a bit extra in my life,” Aagaard says of his decision to come to Guelph after a decorated junior career and stints in both the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League. “Hockey every day is a lot. I always had a dream about going to school and being able to study and play hockey at the same time.

“I had a really good feeling about it. I felt good about this program.”

Aagaard has already achieved some lofty accomplishments as a young player. He developed a love for the game watching his big brother Mads play back home in Denmark and as a 15-year-old, he had already checked one goal off the list by joining his hometown team, the Fredrikshavn White Hawks. He captained his country at the World Junior Championships and has shared the ice with true greats playing for Denmark at the World Championships in both 2016 and 2017.

There was one of those hold-your-breath moments before playing Russia, a team that got a boost when the Washington Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs just a couple days earlier.

“You’re warming up in the gym and Ovechkin is beside you,” Aagaard says, revealing the amazement he felt, as well as the pride of representing Denmark internationally. “It was a crazy feeling that I’ll never forget.

“It was an amazing experience playing against some of the best players in the world.”

Moments like those have helped instill confidence, which he couples with incredible humility, great talent, and grit.

“Mikkel is a first-class person in every way,” says Guelph head coach Shawn Camp, who has seen many elite players come through the program in his 13 years behind the Gryphon bench. “He’s polite, respectful and he’s got a really positive attitude about everything he takes on in his life. He’s a happy person and that makes him fun to be around.

“Mikkel draws people to him because of his character. He’s just a fun person to see at the rink every day and he works incredibly hard. He’s not just a skilled player. He really pushes the pace in practice and games.”

There’s a serendipitous quality in Aagaard’s path to Guelph. He wrapped up a solid 2015/16 season by scoring 21 goals and 39 points in 44 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves. Aagaard also had an impressive season the following year, scoring 13 goals with 26 assists with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL and adding 5-6-11 as a member of the Stockton Heat going up a level to the AHL. He then played a combined 41 games in 2017/18 between the Springfield Thunderbirds and Manchester Monarchs the next year.

But prior to the start of that season back in September of 2017, he was in the Guelph area and was invited to skate with the Gryphons as he awaited a shot at the Florida Panthers camp. A tropical storm would cancel that Panthers’ camp, giving Aagaard a couple extra weeks with the Gryphons. He got to know the guys before going to Springfield and Camp promised to keep in touch.

“What we didn’t know at the time is that Mikkel had made a promise to his parents that he would get his university degree,” the coach says.

Aagaard had an allowance from his OHL tenure to use for school, which was set to expire. So at the end of 2017, he made the decision and enrolled in the Accounting program at the U of G. Camp admires Aagaard’s commitment to honouring the promise to his parents – and he is more than thrilled to have the star player suit up in the red, black, and gold.

After his redshirt year was complete, Aagaard joined the Gryphons with about four games left in the regular season. The first stop was in Lakehead, one of the most hostile environments for road teams in the OUA. Aagaard spent those first few games assessing the league and when the playoffs hit, he found his stride. He would wind up leading the conference with eight goals and 16 points in the postseason, one of the most noteworthy tallies being a double-OT winner in London that lifted Guelph to an OUA West Final win over Western and a berth in the Queen’s Cup.

Aagaard has followed that incredible debut with a stellar season, pacing the conference and the country in scoring. The Gryphons finished the regular season with a mark of 17-6-4-1 and the captain’s influence was immeasurable during that stretch.

“It’s a professional atmosphere here,” Aagaard says, noting the honour of being selected as captain. “(Assistant coach) Justin Stevens and Coach Camp have basically helped me through everything and got me ready, physically and mentally. We’ve developed some great chemistry on this team.”

He’s usually centring a line between wingers Teddy Nichol and former OUA West Rookie of the Year Todd Winder – and the results are often amazing. Camp recalls Aagaard’s goal in Guelph’s recent 4-3 win over Laurier in front a record crowd Frosty Mug crowd at the Sleeman Centre. After a faceoff in the Hawks’ zone, the physical Nichol jumped on the D man in the corner, sent it out front, and Aagaard buried it top shelf to tie the game 2-2.

“Mikkel happens to be one of those complete-package players,” Camp says about giving Aagaard the “C.” “He’s not afraid to speak up when the time is right. He picks his spots well. He leads by example and because he’s one of the hardest workers, he’s very respected on the team. Guys will follow his lead.

“It was an easy decision.”

Aagaard knows that as captain, he has big shoes to fill following the departure of Gryphon legend Scott Simmonds. He says he has taken Simmer’s lead. And he’s hoping another playoff run is in the cards.

“Teams have a tough time playing against us,” the new captain says. “We have grit and skill but we also play super hard.

“It’s a younger team but we have more depth. The guys are sacrificing.”

Now that Aagaard has settled into his life in Guelph, he’s also enjoying the university, his friends, and what the city has to offer. An avid cook, he likes to make himself a traditional dish from the homeland for his pre-game meal – frikadellar, which is essentially meatballs, potatoes, and vegetables. Aagaard also came across a neat restaurant in nearby Crieff called That Danish Place.

“It’s one of my favourite spots,” he says. “I try go there as often as possible. I really like their desserts.”

As for his hockey career, Aagaard will continue to follow that advice he learned so many years ago – don’t look back, focus on what’s ahead. That could eventually mean another shot in the pros or an invite to play for Denmark.

But the Gryphons are what matters at this moment in time.

“I want to get better every day,” Aagaard says, “and be the best player I can be.”