As the 2003-04 regular season has come to a close for the Czech Extraliga, here is a review of drafted prospects who plied their trade within the pro ranks this season.  Some are now free agents again.

 

Miroslav Durak

Position: Defense

Born: 09.06.1981

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 210 lbs

Drafted: by Nashville Predators round 8 #220 overall 1999 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Ceske Budejovice	33	2	5	7	-7	48

 

Durak is a tall jack-of-all-trades type of defenseman. He doesn’t appear to stand out in any way other than his size, but he doesn’t seem to have a lot of weaknesses either.

 

After a solid first pro season with Toledo of the ECHL in 2002-03, Durak felt frustrated by life in the lower minor leagues and decided to sign with Ceske Budejovice early in the season. Budejovice was dead last in the standings and in grave need of players with any skill and Durak fit in very well. 

 

Durak also earned his first Slovak national team nomination and played quite well in the Loto Cup held in January. If Durak wants an NHL career, he would be better served in the AHL where he needs to keep developing his game. That being said, moving back to Europe was not a bad career decision as far as his pro hockey aspirations go, and Durak may just enjoy the salary and his position on the national team too much to go back to North American any day soon.

 

 

Petr Puncochar

Position: Defense

Born: 08.06.1983

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 211 lbs

Drafted: by Chicago Blackhawks round 6 #186 overall 2001 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Karlovy Vary	Extraliga	1	0	0	0	0	2
Znojmo	Extraliga	4	0	0	0	0	0
Karlovy Vary Jr.	Cze Jun.	2	0	0	0	0	0
Jihlava	1st divison	14	0	0	0	4	14
Kadan	1st divison	20	3	0	3	2	14

 

An all-round defenseman, Puncochar looked to be quite a steal when the Hawks drafted the skilled defenseman in the sixth round in 2001. Puncochar isn’t that tall, but he is stocky and can play adequately in any game situation. After solid performances for the Czechs during the WJC’s, and nearly two full seasons worth of Extraliga experience,

Puncochar should have taken the next step this year.

 

Unfortunately for Peter, he took a step back this season and spent most of the year between two 1^st division teams and struggled to make the jump back to the Extraliga.

Instead of coming over to the AHL next season, Petr will have to earn himself a spot in the Extraliga and have a good full year to regain his confidence.

 

 

Jaroslav Balastik

Position: Right wing

Born: 28.11.1979

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 198

Drafted: by Columbus Blue Jackets round 6 #184 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Hamé Zlín	51	29	18	47	13	54

 

Jaroslav Balastik can best be described as a ‘power forward lite’. He is strong on his skates, a slick stickhandler, and has very deft hands around the net. His game is similar to that of Andrew Brunette’s and he does his best work down low.

 

After splitting the 2002-03 season between Zlin and Finnish team Hameenlinna, Balastik was back in Zlin this season and was reunited with playmaking sensation Petr Leska. In 2001-02, Balastik produced 25 goals and 19 assists in 50 games with Leska as his center.

As the dynamic duo was reunited, Balastik tore up the Czech League with 29 goals this season to lead all goal scorers.

 

Balastik has nothing else to learn in the Extraliga and if he is to make the jump over to North America, next season is the perfect time to do it.

 

Tomas Duba

Position: Goalie

Born: 02.07.1981

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 170

Drafted: by Pittsburgh Penguins round 7 #217 overall 2001 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	G.AA	SO	SV%
Znojmo Eagles	47	27	17	3	2.41	4	92.67

 

Heading into the draft in 2001, things looked very bright for the athletic Duba as he was ranked No. 1 overall amongst European goalies. Inexplicably, Duba fell all the way to the seventh round and was largely forgotten after that.

 

After spending last season with a horrible Finnish team (Lapeenranta), Duba managed to secure the No. 1 job with Znojmo this season and had what could be called a ‘breakout’ season.

 

Duba was given the No. 1 job right off the bat for Znojmo and the team placed its destiny in the young keeper’s hands. Duba responded by turning in a fabulous season as he carried the Znojmo club (and its rather suspect defense) to a fourth place finish in the standings. Duba finished second in the league in wins with 27. Duba was also named MVP for the Czech Extraliga team in the annual Czech Extraliga vs. Slovak Extraliga All-Star game that was held in Bratislava.

 

Although the Pens have clearly put their money and faith into Marc-Andre Fleury, Duba could give Fleury a good battle for any goaltending jobs if he continues to perform like he has. His future is wide open and he is back on track, and there is no reason why Duba shouldn’t be considered a worthy prospect once more.

 

 

Roman Malek

Position: Goalie

Born: 25.09.1977

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 161

Drafted: by Philadelphia Flyers round 5 #158 overall 2001 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	W	L	T	G.AA	SO	SV%
Plzen	17	9	6	2	2.15	3	94.74
Slavia Praha	23	10	10	3	2.31	2	92.06

 

 

If there is a must-see player in the Czech Extraliga, Roman Malek would have to be considered at the top of the list. The little dynamo is exceptionally quick and adept at making highlight-reel saves. He makes up for a lack of size with a very quick glove hand and a very active stick.

 

That being said, 2002-03 was truly a down-and-up year for the little bandit after setting the Extraliga on fire last year with a record 11 shutouts.

 

Most notable was the fact that Malek refused an offer from the Flyers to sign a two-way contract and start the year in the AHL. Malek didn’t feel as though he would have a true chance at an NHL job, and would risk losing some salary and national team status while stuck on long AHL bus rides. Rather than risk ‘exile’ in the AHL, Malek decided to return to Slavia for another season.

 

Although the playoff champion Slavia Prague team lost a few talented players (most notably Jan Hejda and Radek Duda), they were still a favorite to repeat and Malek would be there to carry the team once again.

 

Halfway through the season, however, Malek looked to be a shadow of his former self as he was giving up many ‘easy’ goals and had an unimpressive .500 record behind a talented hockey club. Malek questioned his decision not to jump to the AHL and then eventually lost his spot to the younger Lukas Hronek and was traded to Plzen, a team far out of the playoff race at the time.

 

Although Malek wasn’t warm to the idea of being traded, the move really sparked him and he went on a mission to redeem himself as he carried Plzen during the late part of the schedule and into the eighth and final playoff spot.

 

As Malek has rediscovered his game, he once again cemented his spot on the Czech national team and is a good candidate to be the third goalie for the Czech Republic at the upcoming World Cup. It will be interesting to see if Malek takes another look at making the jump to North America next season.

 

 

Petr Sykora

Position: RW

Born: 21.12.1978

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 185

Drafted: Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 3 #76 overall 1997 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Pardubice	48	23	23	46	21	20

 

Also known as Petr Sykora II, he originally had a cup of NHL coffee with the Predators a few years ago, but went back home to continue his career in comfortable surroundings. At the time, Sykora had stated publicly that he had no real interest in returning to try his hand at the NHL.

 

A few years later, his rights traded to the Washington Capitals, Sykora seems a little more willing to give things a second chance.

 

Sykora is an extremely quick winger with a fast and accurate selection of shots. Sykora is not afraid to shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone, and can unleash a powerful one-timer shot very quickly. He had his best all-round season this year and his nose for the net could be an asset to some NHL clubs. Sykora is 25, and if he wants to take a second crack at North American hockey, next season would be the best time.

 

 

Josef Straka

Position: Center/Right Wing

Born: 11.02.1978

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 190

Drafted: by Calgary Flames round 5 #122 overall 1996 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Plzen	52	23	32	55	18	28

 

The brother of Kings forward Martin Straka, Josef is a master stickhandler and routinely pulls highlight-reel goals out of his hat. After struggling most of last season after he lost Radek Duda (a fellow Flames draftee) as a linemate, Straka returned to prominence this season and finished third overall in league scoring despite playing for one of the league’s weaker teams.

 

Like Balastik and Sykora, Straka is at the right age where he is ripe to be brought over and get adjusted to the North American game. Straka would most likely be shifted to wing as his game is geared mostly for offense. There are few veteran players playing in Europe with more puck skill than Straka, so he is an ultimate dark horse of a prospect. If the Flames or another NHL team ever feels the need to try some new things on offense, Straka would be a quality candidate to be brought over.

 

 

Zbynek Irgl

Position: RW

Born: 29.11.1980

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 175

Drafted: by Nashville Predators round 6 #197 overall 2000 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Vítkovice	51	19	16	35	24	18

 

At last, Irgl had his ‘breakout’ season as he improved from 13 to 35 points and established himself as a two-way force in the Extraliga. Irgl’s +24 rating was fourth best in the league and reflective of his hard work in his own end of the ice.

 

Zbynek is a very speedy and hard-working winger that could make a good checking winger in the NHL if he keeps developing well every season. His low PIM totals are reflective of his ability to play a clean and disciplined game, rather than a lack of feistiness. Zbynek has a fairly good shot, but he is not a prime offensive player and could stand to improve his playmaking skills. Very comparable to Stars’ sparkplug Niko Kapanen.

 

Irgl will probably spend at least one more season before making the jump to the AHL like Libor Pivko did this past year.

 

 

Petr Kadlec

Position: Defense

Born: 05.01.1977

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 172

Drafted: by Florida Panthers round 8 #234 overall 2003 NHL Entry Draft

Status: Free Agent

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Slavia Praha	36	3	18	21	16	34

 

After being taken in the eighth round of the 2003 Entry Draft, Kadlec failed to make the Panthers NHL squad out of training camp. Rather than be demoted to ‘exile’ in San Antonio, Kadlec returned to Slavia and put together another very productive season. The Florida Panthers thus released him from their team and his status is that of a free agent.

 

Kadlec is a very bright, finesse defenseman who plays effectively in all situations. He is an expect passer and adept puck rusher. Although not blessed with a big shot, Kadlec is an ideal power play quarterback with his total package of offensive abilities. Despite his lack of size, Kadlec plays well defensively as he plays within his limits and uses his brain to win defensive battles against bigger opponents.

 

If Kadlec can impress scouts at the World Championships (which he is a likely candidate to be a part of), he will likely get one more shot at making an NHL squad. Kadlec seems unwilling to have any part of the AHL, however, which will limit his chances of an NHL career. 

 

Miro Blatak

Position: Defense

Born: 25.05.1982

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 175

Drafted: by Detroit Red Wings round 4 #129 overall 2001 NHL Entry Draft

 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
Hamé Zlín	50	5	10	15	10	34

 

 

Since being drafted in 2001, Blatak has developed at a decent pace while becoming a keystone member of Zlin’s defense. Blatak isn’t a big defenseman, so he has to compensate with his quick skating ability and agile lateral movement. Blatak is quite calm when carrying the puck and seldom makes bad decisions in a panic.

 

Although he has become a solid Extraliga defenseman, his offensive numbers didn’t take the jump expected of him, especially since he plays for a strong offensive team.

He could make the jump to Grand Rapids of the AHL next season, but may benefit more from one more year on Zlin to further develop his game. Miro will need to add at least 5-10 pounds of muscle before making the jump overseas, and he is still quite thin for a hockey player.

 

In the next article, we will take a look at some of the younger drafted prospects and undrafted prospects such as Rastislav Olesz and Jakub Klepis.