It’s been 453 days since Bradley Marek laced up his skates in a Bulldog uniform, and a lot has changed. 

A few months after his final game at Ferris State, Marek attended a development camp put on by the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks. This camp included over 40 elite experienced NHL development players and prospects, but only two players coming straight from the college level: Marek and Denver’s Magnus Chrona. According to Marek, it only took a few minutes for him to be slightly starstruck.

“One of my first reps of this one-on-one drill we were doing (was where you) dumped the puck in and you go battle somebody for 15 seconds,” Marek recalled. “(When they blow it dead, you skate down, and you do it at the other end. The guy I was going against was Tomas Hertl, who’s got 15 years in the NHL and in playing pro. He’s a super nice guy.”

Marek stood out in the camp sessions, which led to him receiving a contract offer from Sharks general manager Joe Will. He would sign on July 23 to play for the San Jose Barracuda, the AHL development team with the Sharks.

When asked about the moment that it began to feel like a dream, he said it was walking into the locker room and seeing his locker. 

“Seeing your last name in one of those stalls is surreal,” Marek said. “It's one step closer to where you really want to be, and that's the NHL.”

Marek began the 2023-2024 season with ECHL affiliate Wichita Thunder, registering four goals and seven assists in his first 10 games. On Nov. 9, 2023, the Big Rapids native got the call to move up with the Barracuda. He would stay with the team for 26 games, playing five games and scoring his first AHL goal against the Colorado Eagles in a 3-2 overtime loss. He would go back down to finish the season with the Thunder, totaling 31 points in 37 games played. 

“It’s definitely a big step,” Marek said about the transition. “(It’s) not as big as junior to college because in college, you're still playing grown men that are really skilled. That was good for me to play older guys and helped me swing into it easier, but I would say that the decision making (is harder) and there’s very little room for errors.”

Marek recently returned to Big Rapids a few weeks ago following the 72-game season. In his transition from a 32-game college season, he said he tries to take care of his body as much as possible.

“I’m, staying in the gym and keeping an honest eating. (I’m) learning the game and always taking in everything somebody gives me.”

As one that is living a childhood dream, Marek says he’s learned a lot during his time in the “show.” He says one of the biggest things he’s learned is that he’s playing game as much as working a job.

“It’s super corny but you just got to have fun,” Marek said. “You're not going to go anywhere if you don't have fun. It will make you ne willing to make sacrifices and battle every single day because that's what you want to do and you love to do it.”

Marek also says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of his coaches at all junior, college, and youth levels.

(Image provided by Brad Marek).

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