New York Hockey Player Finds Glenview Lodging a Real Steel

No way a growing kid, strapping at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds would want to exist through a grueling hockey season on fast food and tripled up in some cramped apartment.

That’s what a good teammate is for. So thanks to Glenview resident Michael Fallon’s hospitality, New Yorker Ali Thomas has his own bedroom and some home cooking to tide him through his season away from home.

Fallon and Thomas are teen-age forwards on the Chicago Steel hockey team, a “Junior A” club that prepares talented players to advance to college hockey programs or even the NHL draft. And as part of the Steel’s “host families” program, Thomas stays with Fallon throughout the season, thanks to older brother David Fallon going away to school and vacating a basement bedroom.

Fallon and Thomas talked about how they’ve come together, on and off the ice, before a recent Steel practice.

“All summer I was trying to figure out a place to live,” Thomas said. “The first day of camp, coach (Scott McConnell) tells me we found you a place to sleep (paid for by the Steel).”

Fallon, his parents, Michelle and David, and younger brother Matt like having Thomas around – but not for soft living.

“I’m trying to get him tougher,” Fallon said.

League preps players for college, NHL draft

Developing physical and mental skills are the priority for Fallon and Thomas with the Steel. They’ve already devoted a large portion of their youths to honing their talents in hockey. Now they’re at the crossroads where they’ll start getting noticed by pro scouts in the 16-team United States Hockey League, the elite junior league in the country stretching from Ohio to Nebraska. The Steel is the only Chicago-area franchise, playing at The Edge ice arena in Bensenville.

Fallon came up through the Glenview Stars youth program and played for Team Illinois before performing for Loyola Academy his first two years in high school.  He has committed to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, which is part of Hockey East, rated the best hockey conference in the country.

In 14 games, Fallon has three goals and seven assists.

“This league is very competitive and tough,” he said. “If you’re not focused and ready to play each game, you’re not going to have success. Every (successive) league it’s going to get harder.”

Fallon had it comparatively easy coming up through youth hockey than Thomas. Growing up in Manhattan, he had to be driven to suburban Westchester, N.Y. to play in a competitive league. Then he had to have his mother drive him even further into north New Jersey to perform with a quality team.

“Suburban kids are tougher (in hockey),” Thomas said. “From what I know city kids, they’re not tough. I played high-school lacrosse, it was not tough. I came to Chicago last year to play midget (age 15 to 18) majors, it was tougher, it was a grind.”

In 10 Steel games, Thomas, who has not yet selected a collegiate destination, has one goal and one assist.

“Your decision-making has to be quicker than ever,” he said of his league. “I focus on that. “Everyone says I’m a big power forward who can skate. But it’s my mental game that needs some help. I learned a lot realizing you have to earn your spot every day.”

A role model in Toews

Fallon, an admirer of Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, would like to further develop his skills that seem to mimic Toews’ strengths.

“It’s always been my forte how I pass and see the ice,” he said. “From when I was little, coaches raved that I could see the ice well. I’d have to work on my shot, coach (McConnell) gives me a hard time about it.

“That’s the goal obviously (the NHL draft). I have to get faster and stronger. I just think if I continue to work hard, I’ve got a solid four years ahead.”

Ah, Fallon could learn another traditional hockey skill from his bigger house guest.

“I had one (previous) fight this year,” Thomas said of the boys-will-be-boys nature of the sport. My second fight I learned from my first fight. When you have long arms like I do, you just want to hold the guy out. Wait for him to punch (and then react).”

Just like another guy named Ali.

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