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Czech 2004 prospects update
Written by: Robert Neuhauser on 10/30/2004 
Rostislav Olesz
Position: center/left wing
Team: HC Sparta Praha Sr.
Birthdate: October 10th, 1985
Height: 6'1
Weight: 204 lbs.
NHL draft: Florida Panthers, 1st round, 7th overall
2004-05 stats: HC Sparta Praha Sr. 16GP 1G 3A 4P even 2PIM
Loaned to Sparta Praha from Vitkovice after the conclusion of the 2003-04 season, the Florida Panthers' first-round pick Rostislav Olesz is experiencing his first full year with Sparta. Vitkovice head coach Ladislav Svozil held back Olesz's offensive potential last year to make him a dependable defensive-minded forward and even though he succeeded well in filling this duty, Olesz had hopes to play a less defensively-orientated role in Sparta and play more of an all-round game.
The strongly-built Olesz had impressive fitness results during the summer and should have seen a lot of playing time in Sparta, but the NHL lockout effected those predictions. Even though he maintained his playing spot with the senior team, Olesz is performing mostly on the third or fourth line and his power play and penalty killing time have seen a cut. He isn't used only as a shut-down forward, but filling his duties at both ends of the ice conscientiously is still a prime task for Olesz. His strong commitment to two-way play means that his offensive production is kept only at average levels.
Ladislav Smid
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Bili Tygri Liberec Sr.
Birthdate: February, 1st, 1986
Height: 6'3
Weight: 209 lbs.
NHL draft: Anaheim Mighty Ducks, 1st round, 9th overall
2004-2005 stats:
HC Bili Tygri Liberec Sr. 14GP 0G 1A 1P even 4PIM
HC Bili Tygri Liberec Jr. 1GP 0G 1A 1P even 0PIM
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks' first round pick is registering steady progress in his development in the Czech senior Extraleague. Smid is one of the defensive anchors of his Liberec team and continues the tradition of playing alongside experienced veteran Valdemar Jirus for the second year in a row now. Jirus guided the newcomer Smid in the senior Extraleague trade last season and this year they form the elite defensive unit of the team. Smid is a regular member of the Liberec power play and penalty killing units and is developing an offensive side after playing more of a defensive style last season. Smid shows remarkable poise when moving the puck, but manages to return to his own end quickly thanks to his above-average skating skills for a big man. Smid was considered a potential member of the Czech senior national team for the upcoming Karjala Cup in Finland, but ended up being named to the Under-20 team, which will take part in the upcoming WJC.
Jakub Sindel
Position: center/right wing
Team: HC Sparta Praha Sr.
Birthdate: January, 24th, 1986
Height: 6'0
Weight: 167 lbs.
NHL draft: Chicago Blackhawks, 2nd round, 54th overall
2004-2005 stats:
HC Sparta Praha Sr. 6GP 0G 2A 2P +2 0PIM
HC Sparta Praha Jr. 5GP 1G 8A 9P +2 10PIM
HC Horacka Slavia Trebic (Div I) 4GP 0G 0A -3 0PIM
The NHL lockout trickle-down effect has hit the Chicago Blackhawks' second-round selection the hardest among his 2004 peers who stayed in the Czech Republic this year. Sindel broke into the senior Extraleague in 2003-04 and managed to stick around during the playoffs as the only draft-eligible prospect in Sparta. This season he was about to build on his experience and upgrade on his toughness and defensive awareness, which were his major drawbacks prior to the draft. However, with the NHLers Petr Nedved, Jan Hlavac and David Vyborny returning to Sparta Praha for the duration of the lockout, Sindel found himself the odd man out, toiling occasionally on the fourth line. The junior Extraleague doesn't provide any more challenge for him with Sindel averaging nearly two points per game for the junior squad and easily dominating with his slick skating and offensive prowess. A native of Jihlava, Sindel hoped to find a home in the nearby Div I franchise Trebic, but didn't establish himself as a regular on the roster and splits time between Sparta and Trebic at this point.
Stanislav Balan
Position: center
Team: HC Hame Zlin Jr.
Birthdate: January, 30th, 1986
Height: 6'1
Weight: 163 lbs.
Shoots: L
NHL draft: Nashville Predators, 7th round, 209th overall
2004-2005 stats: HC Hame Zlin Jr. 15GP 8G 5A 13P +1 46PIM
Stanislav Balan's agent Jaroslav Jirik, a member of the corporation spearheaded by Mark Gandler, was persuading his client to come over to play in the CHL in 2004-05, but Balan decided to stay at home for at least one more season. He played his senior Extraleague debut at mid-season of 2003-04 and added two more games later, so a spot on the fourth line was not out of the question for the talented forward. Balan originally would play center to the twins Roman and Michal Psurny, but Roman Psurny's departure for the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers and more importantly the NHL lockout put an end to those plans. The arrivals of Martin Erat from Nashville, Petr Cajanek from St. Louis and Jaroslav Kristek from the AHL's Rochester Americans didn't leave any room on the senior team for Balan, who is counted on to emerge as an offensive leader of the Zlin junior team instead. Balan logs a lot of playing time, but his point productivity ranks a bit behind expectations as Balan has some trouble with battling heavy traffic effectively. The whole Zlin junior team is struggling and Balan will be asked to step his scoring up in the next weeks. His recent five-point outburst in the game against Ostrava may indicate the arrival of better times.
Lukas Vomela
Position: defenseman
Team: HC Ceske Budejovice Sr./Jr.
Birthdate: September, 25th, 1985
Height: 6'2
Weight: 180 lbs.
NHL draft: Dallas Stars, 8th round, 248th overall
2004-2005 stats: HC Ceske Budejovice Jr. 2GP 0G 0A 0P -1 4PIM
The 2004-05 season is already well underway in the Czech Republic, but Lukas Vomela has a mere two games under his belt. Health problems forced him to stay out of the junior Extraleague lineup. With the Ceske Budejovice senior team being relegated from the Extraleague to the Div I senior league and aiming at an immediate return to the elite level next season, there is only little space left for young defensemen on the roster. Vomela boasts senior experience already from the previous season, when he was called up from the junior team to the Extraleague and maintained his playing spot as a top-six defenseman till the injury bug hit him badly during the second half of the season. The ultimate goal for Vomela is to regain his confidence in the junior Extraleague where he should be a dominating force with his strong size mixed with defensive savvy. If Vomela gets into playing shape quickly, he could see playing time in the Div I senior league, but rather in a limited role.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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