Slovenian Report: Andrej Hebar

By pbadmin
Andrej Hebar is a 16-year old kid who dreams of playing in the NHL one day. And, unlike most, he just might get his chance. Andrej is a first-year forward with the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite U-18 league, and he is one of the most spectacular players in the league. He might not be the biggest guy there, but he plays like he is, wearing his heart on his sleeve. He’s only 5’10” and 155 lbs, but is still growing.

His father, a former goalie and now a coach in Slovenia, is 6’1”, and Andrej is expected to be just as big. Hebar is a natural goal-scorer, with 12 in 12 games this season, and he plays a gritty style for a guy his size. He doesn’t shy away from the physical stuff, and puts his body on the line to make a good play. His biggest asset thought, is his blistering shot. He is also a fast, smooth skater, and a decent, if not spectacular, passer. Andrej was the final cut at Slovenia’s WJC U-20 camp in December. Had he made it, he would have been by far the youngest player on the team.

Instead, Andrej has already locked up a roster spot with Slovenia’s U-18 team, which will play at the U-18 WJC (div.II) in Lithuania in March.

His good play with the Frolunda U-18 team prompted his coaches to try him on their U-20 team, and he got his first chance to play in late January, before going down with the flu. Unlike other Slovenian players who play at home, Andrej is under the constant watchful eye of NHL scouts and is a lock to be selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. 
Name: Andrej Hebar
Born: September 7, 1984
Hometown: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Position: Left Wing

Statistics:

Season  Team         League    GP   G   A   TP PIM
1996-97 HK Slavija   Slo.Ban.  24  26  17   43  41
1997-98 HK Olimpija  Slo.Ban.  23  24  30   54  28
1998-99 HK Olimpija  Slo.Mid.  25   8   7   15   8
1999-00 HK Olimpija  Slo.Mid.  22  29  24*  53* 38
        HK Olimpija  Slo.Jr.   11   1   2    3  33
2000-01 Frolunda     Swe-18    12  12   9   21  18
        Frolunda     Swe-20     1   0   0    0   2

*=league leader
Other Slovenian News:

- Team Slovenia U-20 won gold at the WJC (div.II), beating Japan 4-3 in the final. The best players were RW Marcel Rodman (Peterborough Petes), C Juri Golicic (ex-Owen Sound Platers) and D Davor Durakovic (Flin Flon Bombers).

- Marcel Rodman’s brother, David, has positioned himself as the top Slovenian prospect born in 1983. David had 5 goals and 1 assist in 4 WJC games. Like his brother, David will play in the CHL next season, but it will likely be in the QMJHL. David is eligible for the 2001 NHL Draft. The scouts can get another look at him when he teams with Andrej Hebar on Slovenia’s entry at the U-18 WJC in Kaunas, Lithuania March 26-30.

- Jure Penko has been the dominant goaltender in the USHL, earning player of the week honors in January. The Nashville Predators must like what they see in the 19-year old.

- Edo Terglav is not having his best season in the QMJHL, but the Montreal Rocket’s captain is likely headed to the AHL once his junior season is over.

- Making noise in Slovenia is 1987-born Anze Kopitar, a perennial scoring champion in his age-group, and a top-5 scorer with players 2 or 3 years older.

- At the Slovenian League All-Star game, Team Slovenia beat All-Stars 2-1 in overtime. Juri Golicic won the fastest skater competition.