No. 38 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) – Jan Velich
Position: center
Team: HC Pojistovna Pardubice
Born: April, 5th, 1984
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Thanks to a late opt-in the responsible, multi-purpose center Jan Velich was prevented from being selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Now after this mistake Jan is considering staying in Europe, where he would like to play for some Czech senior Div I team. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles still hope that he’ll find the QMJHL more attractive. Known for his very soft hands and a terrific playmaking ability, Velich is a valuable asset also thanks to his superb defensive awareness, which allows him to play as a defenseman if needed. For a player of his size Jan has deceptive quickness and acceleration, but could take some strides in his aggresivness and overall toughness. Jan is frequently delivering excellent crisp passes and has also a decent slap shot, which he only could release more often. The Screaming Eagles have taken flyers on two Czechs and the jury is out on the fact, if they report. Jan Velich is the more likely, though.
No. 39 Portland Winterhawks (WHL) – David Turon
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Havirov Panthers
Born: October, 4th, 1983
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs.
NHL draft: Toronto Maple Leafs, 4th round, 122nd overall
Toronto Maple Leafs have made Havirov defenseman David Turon their fourth round choice in this year’s draft and the sized blueliner is now looking to make his North American debut with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. For a player of his size David has a solid mobility, but his skating could be improved. David is an average skater and he needs to find the extra gear. He plays a solid two-way game but concentrates on defense first. David relies on his sound positional play and doesn’t hit very often. On the other side he is a good crease-clearer and he doesn’t let the opposing players bother his goalie. David likes to support the offense and has a very good hard shot from the point with a fast release. On the downside he could make better decisions when passing the puck, his shooting is better than passing. Had a cup of coffee with the Havirov seniors last season but will probably challenge for a WHL job.
No. 40 Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – Jiri Visenka
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Hame Zlin
Born: September, 11th, 1985
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 175 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Another of the Zlin ‘big boys’ who wants to try his luck in the CHL, Jiri Visenka is looking to create a Czech duo with Petr Kanko on the Kitchener Rangers team. Zlin midgets lost to Trinec in the midget Extraleague finals, but will be loosing more players than the champion. Jiri is an intelligent blueliner who has found his offensive game this past season. Visenka takes care of his end first and concentrates on mistake-free defense, but also shows flashes of a skilled puckcarrier. Jiri steadily makes safe outlet decisions and plays positionally well. Quite skinny for his lanky frame, Jiri will need to add some bulk if he wants to succeed in the OHL and also show more of his nasty edge. Visenka is making strides in his progress but still is more of a wildcard for the Rangers. A defensive defenseman, Jiri isn’t very known in the Czech Republic and can surprise.
No. 42 Kootenay ICE (WHL) – Michal Polak
Position: center
Team: HC Sparta Praha
Born: January, 11th, 1985
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
The defending Memorial Cup champions Kootenay ICE went Czech at the Import Draft again after striking gold with forward Tomas Plihal last year. This time their pick is Michal Polak, the feisty Sparta Praha center who has shown a willingness to come over to play for the ICE next season. Michal is a strong-skating forward who can show up at both ends of the ice thanks to his sound two-way skills. Polak is adept at stickhandling in traffic and is a smooth puckhandler. He contributes defensively quite a lot and has a very solid portion of vision to go along with his playmaking talent. Michal has a very good passing ability but his shooting could see some polishing. He won’t shy away from the physical contact, but also isn’t a frequent hitter. The WHL will learn him some toughness, most likely. The North American way to the NHL seems to be better for Michal at this point.
No. 46 Owen Sound Attack (OHL) – Jiri Paska
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Hame Zlin
Born: August, 15th, 1985
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 195 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Defensive awareness, grit, determination and a huge frame – these are the main attributes sized defenseman Jiri Paska brings to the table. Even if underaged, Jiri blossomed into one of the better defensemen of the Czech junior Extraleague this past season. An intelligent, stay-at-home blueliner with very solid strength, Paska doesn’t possess blistering puckhandling skills but has a good mobility for a player of his size. Jiri is an extremly smart player and doesn’t suffer from defensive-zone gaffs or turnovers. He takes pride in his superb positional play and thanks to this is also quite soft for a player challenging for an OHL job. Toughness will be a thing for him to work on, just as on releasing his blasts more often. Jiri distributes the pucks very effectively and is a very good passer. Jiri isn’t an absolute lock to come over, but the chances are high that he’ll report.
No. 47 Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) – Ondrej Wantulok
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Vitkovice
Born: March, 1st, 1984
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 220 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
If the Acadie-Bathurst Titan were looking for a big, mean, physical defenseman, they obviously got their man in Ondrej Wantulok. He won’t leave you raving about his skill, Ondrej plays like a rugged Canadian and hits everything that moves. He has excellent physical skills to succeed and can step up as one of the toughest players on the Titans roster. After being overlooked at the NHL Entry Draft, Wantulok wants to make a name for himself in the QMJHL and is coming over definitely. A defensive type of defenseman, Ondrej is just an average skater and passer, but has a cannon of a shot and shows signs of a mean streak. Wantulok always stays with his man and is an intense blueliner. He doesn’t contribute offensively a lot but makes up for this fact with his intimidating physical presence. He could avoid some stupid penalties, but that’s a guy who can surprise.
No. 50 Spokane Chiefs (WHL) – Jakub Langhammer
Position: center
Team: HC Sparta Praha
Born: August, 17th, 1984
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Another victim of the late opt-in case, Jakub Langhammer has now to make up for his agent’s mistake with an impressive WHL season if he wants to be labeled a top 2003 prospect. The lanky center Langhammer plays a very smart, gritty two-way game with very solid puckhandling skills. A talented player, Jakub has a superb vision and hockey sense and plays a mature game for his age. Langhammer can play defensively well and he useful on both powerplay and penalty killing units. He is an all-round player who gives a lot to the team and plays with determination. On the offensive side, Jakub is solid in the faceoff circle and is a great playmaker. He is still inconsistent in finding the net but there is a good sign that his scoring touch may be rediscovered with better skating. The new Spokane Chief sees no point in staying with Sparta and is very likely to report.
No. 51 Erie Otters (OHL) – Tomas Galasek
Position: center
Team: HC Olomouc
Born: September, 9th, 1985
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Without any experience with international junior hockey, Tomas Galasek is going to leave Olomouc and join the Erie Otters of the OHL. One of the few players who stayed in the Olomouc team, which plays only the Div I junior league, Tomas displayed his undisputed sniper instincts in the midget Extraleague. A nice blend of size, offensive talent and determination, Galasek has the tools to succeed if he puts the intangibles together. He is still very raw, but handles the puck with remarkable poise and once on a scoring chance, he capitalizes on his knack for scoring goals. Tomas is working dilligently to get rid of the label “defensive liability” and is developing into a hardworking two-way center Solid in the faceoff circle, Galasek isn’t a ferocious checker but has the talent to make a splash with the Otters. Still can also easily be a bust, simply a gamble pick.
No. 55 Oshawa Generals (OHL) – Jakub Koreis
Position: center
Team: HC Keramika Plzen
Born: June, 26th, 1984
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205 lbs.
NHL draft: Phoenix Coyotes, 1st round, 19th overall
The Oshawa Generals went high-risk with selecting Plzen center Jakub Koreis, who is expected to stay in the Czech senior Extraleague for the next season before he will be trying to challenge for a roster spot with the Phoenix Coyotes. A star in the making, Jakub uses his big frame well and has the tools of a great playmaking center who plays an all-round game. Koreis is an average skater but his uncanny ability to read the plays allows him to foresee the situations and be at the right place in the right time. Energetic and fearless, Koreis handles the puck well with his soft hands. Jakub won’t probably ever be a huge goalscoring threat but a top-notch playmaker who can fight along the boards and in front of the net where he looks for rebounds. Jakub also helps the defense a lot and plays as a tremendous competitor. The Yotes first-rounder won’t probably ever wear a Generals uniform, though.
Round Two
No. 58 Tri-City Americans (WHL) – Josef Vavra
Position: left wing
Team: HC Vsetin
Born: March, 17th, 1984
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175 lbs.
NHL draft: Ottawa Senators, 8th round, 246th overall
A bit of a surprise pick of the Ottawa Senators at the NHL Entry Draft, Josef Vavra is now feeling ready to make the jump to the North American hockey and start playing in the WHL. The newest Tri-City American enjoyed a succesfull season for the Vsetin juniors and will try to translate his smart game also to Amerks. Vavra is an agile winger with lots of offensive flair. He is a swift skater and he can make fast turns, just his balance could be improved. Josef is a finesse winger with a solid vision and hockey sense and is blessed with great hands. Josef only needs to learn not to overhandle the puck and shoot it more often. He likes to make smart passes and he is a very good passer but sometimes hesitates to shoot the puck. Vavra tends to leave his position on the left wing and to fly on the ice, he has to avoid these lapses. Will be looking to add some maturity to his game and prove the Sens that he can be a hidden gem.
No. 60 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) – Michal Barinka
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Ceske Budejovice
Born: June, 12th, 1984
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Along with Slovak behemoth Richard Stehlik, Michal Barinka was the biggest name of the well-known late opt-in case. Supposed to go in the first round, Michal has to wait one more year before he really will be drafted. But he tends to stay in Europe more than to try his luck with the Screaming Eagles. He fights for a roster spot with the Ceske Budejovice seniors and will report only if he won’t make the team. A risky pick, Michal Barinka is primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, but his strong outlet passing and hard shooting contribute to his nice offensive flair a lot. He can throw hard hits and often dominates along the boards. Michal is very reliable and keeps his play simple. His drawback is his average skating and agility, but Michal is working on these things a lot. With a more fluid stride he could skate more effortlessly and handle the game situations with a bigger ease. But he has definitely the chance to play in the senior Extraleague.
No. 64 Portland Winterhawks (WHL) – Roman Prazak
Position: center
Team: HC Energie Karlovy Vary
Born: August, 7th, 1984
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Couldn’t crack any of the junior national teams of his age full-time, so Roman Prazak is now hoping that a strong season with the Winterhawks will help him to be picked in next year’s NHL Entry Draft after being overlooked this year. A fast, fluid skater with a very good creativity and playmaking abilities, Prazak has evolved as a solid two-way pivot who was among the best on his Karlovy Vary junior team. Roman accelerates well and takes advantage of his excellent strength on the puck, which helps him compensate his not very lanky frame. Roman has a solid hockey sense and is also able to find the net quite regularly. Prazak is also able to contribute defensively, but isn’t really perfect here. The jury is out on the fact if he isn’t too soft for the tough WHL, Roman won’t provide much of a physical presence. Still, the skill is here definitely.
No. 67 Swift Current Broncos (WHL) – Jan Lojek
Position: left wing
Team: HC Slavia Praha
Born: September, 3rd, 1985
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
Not a relative of defenseman Martin Lojek, picked by the Brampton Battalion in the first round, Jan Lojek will probably be trying his luck overseas next season as he was selected by the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL. Jan maintained a steady improving course during the last season and has elevated his skating to very acceptable levels. He uses his agility and deceptive puckhandling skills to handle huge traffic well and has also found a commitment to the defensive aspect of the game. Lojek is developing into a reliable two-way winger without many weaknesses. He is an adequate passer and an opportunistic scorer who shows up for the team every game. Jan has to find his consistency and add a bigger portion of nasty edge to his play in order to survive in the WHL. Didn’t play for the junior national teams and if he can stick with the Broncos, his draft chances will be rising.
No. 73 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) – Petr Jelinek
Position: center
Team: HC Slavia Praha
Born: June, 19th, 1984
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
The son of former Ottawa Senator and current Calgary Flames scout Tomas Jelinek, Petr Jelinek has inherited lots of his dad’s style of play. Although if not blessed with such a portion of skill, Petr is also a fierce competitor and his belligerent style is a coveted asset for every team. Jelinek is very intense, always involved in the games. He is just an average skater and won’t leave an impression with elusive stick moves, but Petr can help the defense a lot. He has very solid two-way skills and has a fast release on his quite accurate shots. A typical third-line grinder, Petr will step up as a determined depth player. A tenacious forechecker, who sustains a high work rate every game, will probably create a Czech duo on the Warriors team with Tomas Fleischmann. This is Petr’s only chance to be picked in the next NHL draft and he’ll need to impress with the Warriors.
No. 78 Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) – Zbynek Hrdel
Position: center
Team: HC Sparta Praha
Born: August, 19th, 1985
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs.
NHL draft: 2003 eligible
The last Czech player selected in the Import Draft, Zbynek Hrdel was picked by a team which doesn’t boast an impressive history with drafting Czech imports. Not a regular with the junior national team of his age, Zbynek will probably come over as he feels that the North American road to the NHL Entry Draft is less bumpy than the European one. Hrdel probably won’t be among the QMJHL’s rookie scoring leaders next season, but will excell as an irritating forechecker and can occasionally surprise with his nice touch around the goal. A powerful skater, Zbynek is also adept at making smart plays and is solid in the faceoff circle. He is a decent playmaker who is helping out the defense quite frequently. Hrdel has the raw skills to succeed, he just needs some polishing and putting that skill together. Will report most likely, even if the offensive QMJHL isn’t the best league for him.
