In October, Zach Stejskal was forced to step back from hockey for a few months to focus on his health. The sophomore goaltender from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and put his hockey career on pause. However, he was confident that he would be back in goal this season.

Stejskal had only played two games during the 2021-22 season and already knew about the diagnosis going into the game against University of Michigan. 

“I knew before going into the Michigan game, and I kind of went to a game with kind of a bad mindset, just like thinking that this could be the last game,” Stejskal said. “It took a while for me to kind of get back on my feet after first getting the diagnosis, but I'm in a great headspace now.”

Six days after finding out about his cancer, Stejskal had surgery to remove the cancer. With the support from his family, girlfriend and teammates, he was able to recover quickly in order to start his chemotherapy 30 days later.

Stejskal did one round of chemo treatment over a span of three weeks. He got nine injections of the drug and doesn’t recommend the experience to anyone. 

“It kind of feels like a bunch of chemicals are just being pumped through your body,” Stejskal said. “The chemo completely sucked.”

Stejskal received a huge amount of support during all of his treatment. His teammates would bring him dinner and check up on him. A few of them even offered to shave their heads in support of Stejskal losing his hair during chemotherapy. 

“Some guys in my team wanted to [shave their heads], but I’m like please don't,” Stejskal said with a chuckle. “Save yourself.”

However, one of his teammates ended up doing it anyway. Luke Mylymok shaved his head which was a special sentiment for Stejskal. 

Stejskal also turned to Will Francis for support. The freshman defenseman has battled with Leukemia since 2020 and has become one of Stejskal’s closest friends. Stejskal had no hesitations going to him for support and advice.

On top of the meals and emotional support, the team banded together to raise money for Movember. Movember is an annual event that spans the entire month of November that encourages the growing of mustaches in order to support men’s health issues like prostate and testicular cancer. There is also a huge fundraiser aspect to this event, in which the team raised over $11,000.

Stejskal had many supporters in addition to the team. His family is only an hour away from Duluth, and he lives with his girlfriend of almost three years, who he describes as his biggest supporter. She was the one who encouraged him to go in and get checked out. 

“She's a nurse, so she kind of knows the healthcare side of it,” said Stejskal. “She was working during the day and then coming home and working more at night, just getting me food and whatever I needed. She really carried me on her back there.”

Throughout the treatment, Stejskal’s hockey career remained up in the air. He didn’t know when he would return to the ice for sure, but he ended up rejoining his team right after Christmas. At first, he wasn’t allowed to do anything except conditioning.

“Because of the treatment, my white blood cell count was really on the low side,” Stejskal said. “I wasn't able to get any shots because I was at risk of bleeding. I did a lot of skating at that time so my conditioning feels good and I feel good on the ice.”

He began to dress for games as the second semester began and took on a supportive role on the team. He is incredibly proud of the season his team has had, especially his goalie partner, Ryan Fanti.

“I truly could not be more happy for him,” Stejskal said. “I know that it's kind of a weird situation being kind of competitors, but he's on my team, and we're all fighting for the same goal. We're just trying to win games, and he's been doing that, so it's been great.”

After months of waiting to get back in goal, Stejskal finally played his first game against Denver University on Feb. 12. He jumped in for his goalie partner, Fanti, after he began to feel ill. 

Stejskal played the second and third periods, making 18 saves and only allowing two goals in the win over the nationally-ranked no. 3 team. On top of the win, Stejskal was named the NCHC’s Honorary Goaltender of the Week. 

Currently, Stejskal is cancer free, but he will have to get a check up every six months for the next five years. He is feeling 100% and is excited to be back on the ice.

“The most important thing in life is your health,” Stejskal said. “So, if you're feeling anything, just go to the hospital and get checked out.”

Go support Stejskal and the Bulldogs against rivals UND at Amsoil Arena on Feb. 18 and 19.