The recipient of the Robyn Mactaggart Medal, for the "best and fairest player" last year, she made her debut in 2009 as an 18-year-old, having attended Kamo High School before finishing her final two years at St Cuthbert's College in Auckland.
The onus of leading by example to show the newcomers how "to carry ourselves" doesn't just rest on her but is the domain of all the seniors.
Predominantly a midfielder, Michelsen meets the demands of stoking the engine room but also appreciating the perch as a transit lounge for take-offs and landing, as it were.
Paramount to the Sticks' culture of progress is everyone assuming that mantle of leadership.
"Instead of it coming from one person, we sort of want everyone to take on leadership throughout each player."
No doubt the buck will stop with Michelsen during the cup if any issues arise on the turf .
While she has co-skippered the Sticks, wearing the stripes isn't totally foreign to a player who slipped on the armband alongside peers in Northland.
"If you're doing all of the things you're asking of the team then they can look to you and, hopefully, know that behaviour is something your teammates will be aligning too as well."
The 221-cap international intends to fulfil her role on the field and help others who require it.
Her lieutenants include Olivia Merry, Pippa Hayward, Liz Thompson, Elizabeth Keddell and Brooke Neal, who have been around long enough to establish the desired culture.
Michelsen says the welcome mat is part of the Sticks' intangible furniture but equally pressing is the newcomers' willingness to speedily want to strive for excellence. Coming through the ranks she sponged off as much as she could off seniors.
Two players who stood out in her formative years were Kayla Whitelock (Sharland) and Emily Gaddum (nee Naylor).
"They are obviously two very talented and professional players who set the tone for what we wanted to be as a group and the amount we were able to learn from them as youngsters was also huge. They made a huge impression on the kind of player I wanted to be," she says, stressing the pair's desire to challenge themselves as well as others to raise the bar of excellence.
Michelsen wasn't with the touring side to Argentina last month, akin to coach Mark Hager because of his obligations to the Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League, but she says the Australian is an integral part of their successful template and a welcome return to the fold.
The cup has lured quality opposition in the past three years so the Sticks consider themselves fortunate to have the support of the Bay community and cup organisers because the tourney is an ideal platform for later international events.
Michelsen is hoping for no rain and her prayers seem to have been answered if the forecast is anything to go by from Friday to Saturday.
"We're used to having a bit of rain when we're down here but, hopefully, not too much so that it'll slow the game down because we like playing fast," she says with a laugh of the defending champions.
2017 DRAWS
To be played at the Unison Hockey Stadium at the HB Regional Sports Park, Hastings:
Friday, 4pm: Australia v USA.
6pm: NZ v Japan.
Saturday, 3pm: USA v Japan.
5pm: Australia v NZ.
Monday, April 3, 4pm: Australia v Japan.
6pm: NZ v USA.
Tuesday, April 4, 4pm: Australia v USA.
6pm: NZ v Japan.
Thursday, April 6, 3.30pm: USA v Japan.
5.30pm: Australia v NZ.
Saturday, April 8, 3pm: Australia v Japan.
5pm: NZ v USA.
Sunday, April 9, 3pm: 3rd v 4th.
5.15pm: 1st v 2nd.
