Goaltenders
Lukas Hronek – HC Slavia Praha goalie got his chance after the starter Roman Malek suffered a broken jaw and he stunned the Extraleague with his savvy play and spectacular saves. Along with Martin Barek played for all junior teams consisting of 1982 born players. A very mature goalie for his age with exceptional quickness and reflexes, Lukas couldn’t play in Finland because of an injury but he seems to be a lock on the WJC team.
Martin Barek – Barek backstopped Pardubice juniors on their championship run in the junior Extraleague last season and he also has a good chance of making the team. With Hronek the possible starter Barek would have to handle the backup role, something he isn’t very used to. But Martin can jump in and win a game, he is mentally very focused and can handle stress game situations and doesn’t panic. A goalie with good skills and reflexes who would be a very solid backup to Hronek.
Michal Fikrt – Litvinov juniors starter’s star is on the rise. Michal Fikrt will challenge Barek for the backup position, his problem is that Barek has more experience with international play. Else Fikrt is an agile goalie who likes to challenge the shooter and has very fast reflexes.
Defensemen
Libor Ustrnul – “Drago” formed along with Rostislav Klesla the best Czech defensive pairing at the last WJC. Hulking Plymouth Whalers rearguard will be relied upon heavily and his size and bone-crushing hits will be a huge boost for the Czech defense. A stay-at-home defenseman with an ability to play hard is very good to be paired with a rusher. Ustrnul is a lock to make the team, only an injury would prevent him from participating.
Lukas Krajicek – the player who could be paired with Ustrnul, when looking at the playing style. The Florida Panthers first-rounder is a smooth puck-moving blueliner with very good skating and passing abilities and a player who can support the offense a lot. Will be one of the Czech powerplay quarterbacks and will be on the ice when an offensive defenseman will be needed. Either him or Filip Novak are to fill Rostislav Klesla’s shoes in a pair with Ustrnul and Krajicek has nearly the same skill.
Filip Novak – the Regina Pats’ defenseman was prevented from taking part in the last WJC only due to the fact that his parent Czech club, Ceske Budejovice didn’t give him permission because he left for the WHL even if he was under contract. Another great offensive defenseman, Novak’s numbers in the WHL get better and better and the player with a superb puckhandling ability, vision and sense will be the bright star of the defense.
Tomas Mojzis – the last CHL playing defenseman on the team in my opinion. His sound two-way game and a good passing ability make him a candidate for the WJC team. With the trouble on defense Mojzis has a good chance of making the team, else his chances would drop down a bit. Mojzis is still quite raw, but his passes will help the team.
Miroslav Blatak – a Detroit Red Wings prospect that splits time between the Zlin juniors and seniors this season. One of the defensemen playing in Europe that can be expected to make the team. Blatak is positionally sound, keeps the play simple and can support the offense. A very good two-way defenseman but not a sure WJC candidate.
Lukas Chmelir – an alternate captain of the last Czech Under-18 WJC team, Chmelir plays sparingly in the Extraleague for Vitkovice, more for the junior team. Lukas can make smart outlet passes and is very good defensively, but he lacks size. Even then I think that Jaroslav Holik should oversee this fact and select this Czech patriot who plays with lots of heart and determination to the team. Leaders are needed.
Jan Hanzlik – the injury-plagued Sparta Praha rearguard faces his last chance to play at the WJC. If it wasn’t for his defensive savvy and a smart two-way game with very solid passing skills the undersized Hanzlik would have trouble with the nomination. If he can be healthy coming the WJC Hanzlik could unseat either Lukas Chmelir, Lukas Pozivil or Miroslav Blatak when his Extraleague experience helps him enough.
Ondrej Nemec – here is the question if the 2002 prospect isn’t too young for the WJC at only 17 years of age. With the injury of Vsetin vet Alexei Yashkin Nemec played his way into the Extraleague and is able to stick with the senior team. Nemec isn’t too big but extremly good offensively with a hard accurate slap shot and very smart passing skills. Ondrej plays with intensity, determination and toughness but lacks size. His plus is the regular play in the Extraleague, the downside is his young age.
Petr Puncochar – drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, Puncochar made his way into the Karlovy Vary seniors defensive rotation. The same case as Nemec, only one year older. Petr Puncochar can take care of his own end plus gives superb offensive support as a bonus. The less skilled version of Lukas Krajicek again lacks size. Puncochar is stocky and is willing to play hard, but can be outplayed by bigger and meaner opposition.
Lukas Pozivil – quite surprisingly Lukas Pozivil won the spot in the Litvinov senior team over Toronto draftee Vaclav Zavoral and he is able to maintain that spot. Pozivil has a limited offensive upside and he tries to concentrate on defense. Lukas is solid defensively but has to play with more aggresivity and determination. Will need luck if he wants to play at the WJC.
Zbynek Michalek – a bit of an unknown prospect but Zbynek staedily develops into one of the better QMJHL offensive defensemen. A mature player who good vision and passing skills was signed by the Minnesota Wild in the summer. Right now Michalek averages nearly one point pro game and it’s up to Jaroslav Holik to decide if there aren’t too much offensive defensemen. But if he needs one, there is one handy.
Forwards
Tomas Plihal – the former Liberec center/left wing took the WHL by storm in his rookie season and he is leading the WHL rookies in scoring. The Kootenay ICE forward improved a lot in comparison with the last year and he plays a very good mix of skill and toughness. Plihal is also very solid in the faceoff circle and even if one year younger, the San Jose Sharks draft pick has very good chances of being selected.
Ales Hemsky – if it wasn’t for his attitude, Ales Hemsky would be a total lock of making the team. According to what is being said Hemsky didn’t show much willingness to play for his native country at the Under-18 WJC this April but hope this changed with the new season. The ultimate offensive weapon, Hemsky, a right-shooting right wing is a flashy forward with a knack for scoring goals and making smart passes. He has to be more patriotic but most likely this won’t prevent him from making the trip home.
Martin Podlesak – the giant Lethbridge Hurricane captained the Czech Under-20 team at the first tourney in August. The center with a terrific size is a very good skater for his size and almost impossible to get knocked off the puck. Podlesak handles the puck extremly well and his ability to play in high traffic makes him an even more attractive addition. Size, skill and toughness, a no-brainer for Jaroslav Holik.
Jiri Jakes – the less skilled version of Podlesak plays a typical Canadian style of hockey. Jakes, a Boston Bruins draft pick is a hard-hitting left winger who looks for loose pucks in front of the net and fights along the boards but isn’t blessed with the same skill as most of the players. Holik will name him only if he will need a hard-working tough hitter. I think he needs him.
Frantisek Lukes – a diminutive winger but the Phoenix Coyotes draftee has a nose for the net plus he skates like the wind so these facts may be enough for coach Holik to select him. Lukes can hope in being named, it is no sure thing but the flashy, highly skilled speedster knows how to score goals and along with Tomas Plekanec they were the top snipers for all junior teams consisting of 1982 born players.
Petr Taticek – a highly regarded 2002 prospect faces the fact that Jaroslav Holik doesn’t select CHL rookies to the team often. In fact, Taticek would be the first CHL rookie to make the team under coach Holik ever. But as a late 1983 born the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds center presents a very mature game with perfect playmaking skills plus his size as a bonus. A mix of speed, skill and size, Taticek will be a lock next year, this time he’ll need a piece of luck to be chosen to perform at the WJC.
Tomas Plekanec – the diminutive Kladno rocket captained the team after Podlesak’s depart for Lethbridge at the last two tournaments. Plekanec plays his second full season in the Extraleague and is a member of the last WJC winning team. Here the question isn’t if he’ll be selected, more likely if he’ll be the captain of the squad. The Montreal Canadiens talent is a fast skater and a slick puckhandler with exceptional smarts, only that he comes thru a sub-par season this year.
Jiri Novotny – after overcoming an injury Jiri suffered at the Under-20 tournament in September he became one of the leading forces of Ceske Budejovice in the Extraleague. Blessed with great size and mobility, Novotny develops steadily into a playmaking center and a faceoff whiz. The only trouble is that he still didn’t found his scoring touch in the Extraleague and the productivity is lacking. Still a great two-way forward with leadership skills, maybe an alternate captain this year and the captain in 2003.
Tomas Netik – the Sparta Praha winger doesn’t see lots of ice time in the Extraleague as Sparta tends to let experienced players earn their portion of playing time. Netik improved a lot during the last two seasons and his terrific vision to go along with soft hands should be taken into account. Netik takes pride in his offensive play and his deceptive puck skills and elusive moves make often the opposing defenses look foolish.
Miloslav Horava – after the arrival of head coach Jaromir Sindel Horava found himself playing on the top two lines of Kladno in the Extraleague, boosting his confidence. Having spent the start of the season in the Div I league in Beroun, Horava now thinks he is Extraleague ready. A solid skater who can score and pass equally well, Horava has both hard accurate shot and finishing skills. Another two-way forward, Horava is expected to make the team.
Jiri Hudler – no argue that this 2002 blue-chipper should make the team. One of the top forward prospects in Czech hockey ever, Hudler leads Vsetin senior team in scoring and is no doubt the top junior-aged player in the Extraleague. Jiri plays regularly for the Under-20 team and he is an extremly smart offensive forward who makes plays happen like he wants to and has almost no weakness except of his smallish stature.
Martin Frolik – the versatile Kladno forward is a player who can also overtake the grinder role and give all his efforts for the team. Frolik is a very good skater and a good stickhandler who won’t hurt you defensively. He is a creative forward who is solid in the faceoff circle. With so many stars on the team someone has to fill the grinding role and Martin Frolik could be the frontrunner for this position.
Jan Svik – after a very solid second half of the last season Svik found himself on the bubble in the Plzen team this season. His play for the Under-20 team is better than in the Extraleague but there are still serious concerns about his performance which can prevent him from participating. Svik tends to make bad decisions sometimes and he has to further improve his defensive play. On the offensive side Jan is solid, with above-average passing skills.
Petr Domin – another candidate for the grinder role. The Karlovy Vary towering center still doesn’t see regular ice time in the Extraleague. Domin has to further improve his skating and mobility but could fill the grinder role quite well. Domin can play hard and is willing to play defensively. Petr Domin is in the mold of Jiri Jakes, only more skilled and it is doubtful if it is necessary to have two players of this style on the team.
Jan Bohac – won the 2000 WJC title as a 17-year old, got drafted by the Ottawa Senators but his development was hampered by injuries and nearly came to a stop. Bohac was loaned by the Trinec team from Slavia Praha and had a good preseason but is frequently benched in the Extraleague. Bohac has the size and skill but has to work on his skating and mostly on his productivity, Bohac has trouble with scoring goals and his WJC chances are quite low.
Petr Vampola – the Vsetin winger performed at the last Under-20 tournament and after a stellar play in the junior Extraleague Vampola now plays also for the Vsetin seniors. The fast, creative forward with a nose for the net can be easily the odd man out, though. Vampola’s chances remain quite low, there are bigger names on the roster, especially from the CHL.
Michal Vondrka – when the Ceske Budejovice senior team uses all four lines, then Michal Vondrka has a chance to play, else he is benched. The smart two-way forward has to work on his decision making but shows a solid game with few mistakes, even if Michal is still a bit raw. Vondrka is a darkhorse, he can easily surprise and Jaroslav Holik can select him to the team. But it’s not a sure thing.
Radek Dlouhy – the Slavia Praha forward is playing this season in the Div I league, which is a strategy of Slavia, to leave the 1982 born prospects play in the Div I league instead of the Junior Extraleague. Radek is a forward with very solid passing and playmaking skills. Dlouhy didn’t spent a long time in the 1982 born national teams plus he doesn’t play in the Extraleague which are facts which speak against him.
Petr Jaros – another Slavia Praha player who was demoted to the Div I league. In opposite to Dlouhy Jaros is more of a goalscorer and he has a good shooting arsenal. Jaros doesn’t hesitate to shoot but is also a solid passer. His problem is the lack of defensive play. Jaros doesn’t have very high chances of making the team, playing on a checking line wouldn’t suit him well.
