(Michael Hoecht #47 playing the Bell Warriors Bantam 2012 A-Cup semi-final win over the Gloucester South Raiders when the Warriors won 56-35. Photo: Bell Warriors)
Coming from Ohio, Michael Hoecht, captured the nickname of ‘Ohio’ or ‘Ohio Mike’ – there were many Mikes on the team – when he played for the Bell Warriors Football Club. He lived in Stittsville, attended South Carleton High School and was a Bantam in 2012. He has definitely come a long way since then.
Playing for the Warriors for only one season, the impression he left behind was lasting for both his teammates and coaches. He was strong, immensely driven, pleasant, polite, always smiling, humble, coachable, very athletic and he loved playing sports – especially football. He was the kind of player that was always looking for and actually embraced feedback.
(Bell Warriors, Mike Hoecht in 2012. Photo: Bell Warriors)
During the 2012 season, Mike’s father relocated to Toronto for work and that meant Mike was also leaving the Warriors at the end of the season. It was a hard loss for the team, but he left with many well wishes.
Paul Stewart, President of the Bell Warriors Club, told us, “We lost track of Mike until recently when it was brought to our attention that the young man had just signed with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL.”
Hoecht eventually found his way to Brown University where he was a defensive lineman. Initially not selected in the NFL draft, he was impressive and proved he could further his career as a professional. Over the four years he played for the ‘Bears’, he played 37 games that included ten in each of the past three seasons.
Michael Hoecht wore #93 when he played for the Bears at Brown University. Photo: Brown University)
In a March combine workout video, Hoecht showed a 4.65 second clocked time in the 40 yard dash. This Thursday, April 30, the CFL draft takes place and Hoecht was ranked at number 6 in the finals by the central scouting bureau of the CFL. He was a preferred target on CFL draft boards.
Stewart went on to tell us, “Mike had enjoyed a remarkable career as a two-time team Captain with the ivy-league Brown University Bears and his extraordinary performance at his pro day meant that he could not be overlooked. The 6’4” 295 pound athlete played basketball as well when he attended South Carleton High School in 2012-13. At the year-end sports banquet, he was named South Carleton High School Junior Male Athlete of the Year. I remember him being a dominant player on the basketball court as well. His sportsmanship, leadership and athleticism for a big kid truly set him apart at the time. He was an impressive young man and it is absolutely amazing to see him continue to excel and succeed at the highest levels of his sport.”