Senior spotlight: Michael Janke's been a consistent performer in net for D.C. Everest

WESTON - Michael Janke will finish his prep boys hockey career as one of the leaders in every goalie statistic for D.C. Everest.

A starter for the past three seasons, the senior has piled up the numbers in goals against average and saves percentage, shots faced and minutes played in net. He also has been a consistent performer and an honorable mention all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection in each of the past two years. 

He heads into a WIAA postseason opener against Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday with a 1.84 goals against average and a .920 saves percentage and has played in all 24 games for the Evergreens, who carry a 16-6-2 record into the playoffs. 

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"It's nice when you can depend on someone like him to show up every night. He keeps us in every game, and that's all we can ask for out of a netminder,"  Everest coach Dan VanSlyke said. "He is so solid between the pipes that you feel confident walking into any game with him in the net. He is so calm, too, (during a game). You don't get a whole lot of peaks and valleys out of the kid."

Janke, who also is a member of the D.C. Everest boys lacrosse team, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his thoughts going into his final postseason run, the mental aspect of being a goalie and how music plays into his pregame routine, among other subjects.

Is there a certain nickname your friends/teammates or family members call you?

Jankers. That's pretty much it outside of (jokingly) calling me Sieve.

What has been your top sports moment? Is there a game or a save that really stands out?

Last year we beat (University School) of Milwaukee and that was a really big game for us. Then we played Chippewa Falls, there was a breakaway and I had a really good save on that. I stuck out my paddle out and I just got lucky kind of.

At the same time, is there a moment you would like to forget?

Last year the playoff game against (Wausau) West wasn't very good. We lost something like 7-4. There's games like that where I just wish I could have done more. Things didn't go my way but that's the way things go sometimes. 

The postseason begins Thursday for Everest. Has this week had a different feeling for you given this is your senior year?

For me, especially, I want to give it my best go. I want to prepare myself the most I can for these upcoming games with the hope that we can go as far as we can. We have a strong team and feel we can make it to state if we put our minds to it. 

Goalies have to have short memories from one goal or one game to the next. How have you dealt with that over the years?

The mental part is a huge part for sure and not something that's always been easy for me. My sophomore year I had a hard time with it and kind of into my junior year as well. You have to forget about those games in which you don't do well in and try to think about the games in which you played well.

Goalies can be also be quirky. Do you have any certain superstitions or pregame rituals?

I listen to rap music before games but there are certain artists I won't listen to because I feel that I won't play well. I won't listen to G-Eazy before a game.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Kate Upton. 

Where is your dream vacation?

Hawaii. 

What are your postgraduation plans? Is there the hope or opportunity to play hockey after this year?

I hope to go play college hockey eventually. I plan to go play juniors next year. I don't know with what team yet, I have to try out for as many teams as I can. I want to continue hockey for as long as I can. 

What are you interested in doing after hockey?

I've been thinking about (eventually) becoming a police officer. Criminal justice has been an interest for me, especially this year.

FAVORITES

Sport: Hockey.

Pro or college athlete: (Los Angeles Kings goalie) Jonathan Quick.

Movie: "Miracle."

Music: Rap.

Food or meal: Mac and cheese pizza from Polito's. I could eat it nonstop for the rest of my life and I would be OK.