Insider: Getting To Know Ken Krolicki

Player Profile:

Ken Krolicki

Born: Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (Grew Up in Kitakyushu, Japan)

Date of Birth: March 15th, 1996

Height: 5’7

Weight: 159 LBS

On March 4th, 2018, Ken Krolicki surprisingly made his professional debut for the Montreal Impact in a 2-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Krolicki played admirably in his first professional game considering that Remi Garde thrust the Japanese native into the starting 11 with no prior experience professionally as he made the jump from university soccer to the MLS.

Before Krolicki’s college career, he played for the U-16 and U-18 Crew Academy Wolves in 2013 & 2014 in Michigan. Additionally, he played for the K-W United (Based in the Kitchener-Waterloo region) of the Premier Development League. He scored 7 goals in 25 games for K-W United through 2015-2017.

Ken Krolicki was selected No. 53rd overall in the 2018 SuperDraft after honing his craft with Michigan State College. Krolicki accumulated 7 goals and 14 assists in 81 games during a 4-year span with Michigan. The midfielder garnered a plethora of accolades during his stint with Michigan as he was nominated a First Team All-Big 10 Conference and a USC First Team All-Midwest Region last year.

Krolicki was instantly plunged into the spotlight by operating as starting midfielder for Remi Garde’s side. It’s a task that may be too hard to tackle for the 21-year-old. Nonetheless, in his 2 appearances with the Impact, it was evident that the rookie possesses a tremendous work ethic. Despite his diminutive stature, he has the sheer willingness to do all of the dirty work on the pitch. To compliment his eagerness to get dirty, the young midfielder can play on both sides of the ball equally well. Ken Krolicki would excel in a depth role with the Montreal Impact.

This is what Ken Krolicki had to say about his game.

Ken Krolicki would excel in a depth role with the Montreal Impact.

Remi Garde’s youth movement is certainly commendable. The former Aston Villa and Olympique Lyon manager is giving a chance for his young guns to justify their excellence on the pitch. He has given valuable time to Jeisson Vargas, Michael Petrasso, Raheem Edwards, Ken Krolicki and David Choiniere in the early days of the year. We may see added youngsters in the fold knowing that Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Louis Beland-Goyette, and Shamit Some have yet to play a game. Seasoned veterans in Marco Donadel and Dominic Oduro have yet to see the pitch this year.

Hopefully, we can see Ken Krolicki perform above expectations.