Zack Mirageas made a big impact on the Air Force lineup as a freshman last season, playing in all but two games and making the Atlantic Hockey all-tournament team. His 17 points were second among Falcons defensemen, and this season he is expected again to be one of the team’s workhorses on the blue line.

We teed up some sweet passes to him recently so he could fire away in our first One-timers interview of the 2018-19 season.

Does your family have any military background?

No. I didn’t know the Air Force Academy had hockey until my junior year of high school, when they started recruiting me. I was at Governors Academy, and we were at a tournament at Cushing Academy. … I came out for a visit and just fell in love with the school. They obviously provide a great education. You have to serve but no worries in that. It was a great opportunity. … You look at Kyle Haak – he was all over the place this summer, Israel, you name it. He’s a special kid but any of us could have that opportunity.

You have a brother (Ben) who is playing college hockey at Providence, and he has a good shot at making Team USA’s World Junior team. What sort of sibling rivalry did you guys have?

I was always bigger and stronger, then there came a point 3-4 years ago when he surpassed me. Two years when we were both in Bloomington, (in the USHL) I stopped the rough housing because he was 6-1, 6-2 and I’m still only 5-9. He can do things to me he wasn’t able to 2-3 years ago. We’ve always had a rivalry. I love him, and playing together in Bloomington was awesome. We always made each other better. My dad (James) used to build a rink the back yard during the winter, and we would always go out there and play one on one and wrestle for the puck. It’s made us who we are today. I don’t want to take all the credit, but I’ve helped him along the way to get where he is now (Ben is also a third-round draft pick of the New York Islanders) and he’s helped me to where I am right now.

I’ve heard rumblings that Air Force could play host to an outdoor game in the next few years. How incredible would that be to play outdoors at Falcon Stadium?

It would be awesome. I actually have played in an outdoor game. When I was at Governors, my junior year we went to Fenway Park and played Kimball Union Academy. We weren’t very good and unfortunately lost. They had a couple guys on that team who are at BC and BU now and maybe one kid who’s already in the NHL right now. The experience was unbelievable. I went to the first Winter Classic at Fenway, it was just awesome. The atmosphere was incredible. … I wouldn’t say I grew up playing outdoors, but there were times I went to the pond and played with my buddies. It was a lot of fun.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

My dad and my brother for sure would be the first two. If I was looking to the NHL right now it would be guys like Erik Karlsson or Drew Doughty or Dustin Byfuglien. I love being physical and I love it when I’m able to knock somebody to the ground, even though it doesn’t happen all the time. When I watch an NHL game it’s not just for pure pleasure, I’m also looking at what they’re doing with their sticks, what they’re doing with the puck on a power play and where their body is positioned on a penalty kill.

What is the breakfast of champions?

Every morning I grab about six or seven hardboiled eggs, a  banana, some peanut butter. I grab a cup of coffee. I crack all the eggs. Usually there is some type of meat they’re serving and a fried potato. I make a mountain on my plate, add a little bit of salt, a little bit of pepper and a bunch of sriracha or cholula sauce. Sometimes eating the same thing every morning gets a little old so you’ve got to spice it up. Then I have my banana with peanut butter. It won’t change.

So protein is not going to be an issue for you is what you’re saying.

No, not at all.

Are there any comedians we should know about on the Falcons?

We have a bunch. Marshall Bowery always lightens the mood. He’s a crazy man. Sean Knowlton. He wasn’t there a ton last year because of his surgery but he’s funny, too. We’ve got a bunch of crazy people in the freshman class this year, which always lightens the mood. I always love giving Bill Christopoulos a hard time, and he’s decided to fire back at me a little. It’s all in good fun, but we get going a little bit. Brady Tomlak is pretty funny, too. We have an awesome group of guys.

Halloween is coming up. What is your all-time favorite costume?

I don’t know if I’ve dressed up for Halloween for a few years, but I remember being a clown. I remember being a scarecrow – my mom has some pictures of that. Last year we were at Canisius that weekend and that game I got checked from behind and had to get a couple of stitches in my forehead. Walking around the hotel that Saturday night everyone was looking at me like I had fake stitches in my head. I had to tell them I’m not going out trick or treating. I just want to lay low. … I think any of the Marvel costumes are pretty awesome. And I always like the blow up sumo men. … I wish I could get a Frank Serratore and pop it on my head. That would be a good one, too.

A Frank Serratore sumo costume or Frank Serratore mask?

Either. It wouldn’t matter. Just his face would be awesome.

Are you particular about any of your gear or superstitious about any of it?

I am with the basics. I’ll get on little stints where I will use white tape on my blade for a while. If that doesn’t work then I’ll tape it up with black tape for a few games. This year I’m using a bubble instead of the cage. I’m using a different curve this year. I always put my left skate on first, then the right. Left shin pad on first, then the right. It’s not actual stuff, just the way I wear it and the order I put it on. … I do like to switch things up quite a bit.

©First Line Editorial 2017-18