Player's Profile
- Name: Mario Bliznak
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-03-06
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Trencin, Slovakia
- Acquired: 205th overall, 2005 Entry Draft by Vancouver
- Playing In: CHL
Mario Bliznak
Prospect Grade: 6.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Matt MacInnis
History
Bliznak spent last season in his homeland, Slovakia, playing for Dubnica of the junior league. He put up impressive numbers in the junior league, averaging more than a point-per-game with 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games. He also demonstrated a feisty side, tallying 38 penalty minutes. Bliznak was selected in the 2005 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, 27th overall.
2006-07: Bliznak appeared in 47 regular season games for the Memorial Cup-winning Giants, scoring 22 points. But he really stepped up his play in the WHL playoffs and again to another level for the Memorial Cup tournament, where he was one of the better players for the Giants. His strong play helped to earn him a contract.
Talent Analysis
He plays a hard-working style that uses his solid speed and acceleration to get to opposing puck carriers quickly. His defensive play and commitment to his own end of the ice is something that scouts picked up on at the U18s. He’s not a flashy player, but has adequate puck-handling skills for his age and is a decent, although unspectacular, shooter. His vision and hockey sense are both areas of concern, and he occasionally takes a shift off or fails to keep his feet moving, the latter of which could be a substantial issue in the new NHL.
Future
Bliznak’s top end potential maxes out at the third line, and he’s still several years from reaching that level.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 16th 2008
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