Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.hctopolcany.sk
- Name: Milan Kytnar
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Birthdate: 1989-05-19
- Eligible for Draft: 2007
- Drafted: 2007
- Hometown: Topolcany, Slovakia
- Acquired: 5th round (127th overall), 2007
- Playing In: Europe
Milan Kytnar
Prospect Grade: 6.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: Kytnar played in two leagues; the Slovak Junior 1 League and the Slovak Senior 1 League. He has played 27 games in the second Slovak Senior League and played very well. Also appeared in the U-18 WJC in Finland where he was a key player for the Slovaks notching seven points in six games. Drafted in the fifth-round by Edmonton at the 2007 Draft and was chosen 7th overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.
2007-08: Kytnar’s first year of North American hockey was spent with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). In 62 games, he potted nine goals and 22 points, along with 66 penalty minutes.
2008-09: The center moved to Saskatoon (WHL) this season, appearing in 65 games with the Blades. His 27 goals and 64 points were career-high numbers for Kytnar, as were his 89 penalty minutes. He also saw success in the postseason, registering four points (3g+1a) in seven playoff games. He also competed with the Slovakian U20 club at the WJC, where he tallied six helpers through seven games. Expect to see him start 2009-10 with Springfield (AHL).
2009-10: Kytnar appeared in Oilers camp and saw pre-season action before being returned to Saskatoon for an overage season in the WHL. He skated in three games with the Blades, registering one assist, before being traded to the Vancouver Giants. He missed a good portion of the season due to injury, skating in just 45 games with the Giants. He scored 14 goals with 25 assists and was +12 with 40 PMs. Kytnar played in all 16 playoff games as Vancouver reached the WHL semifinals and his 12 assists were one behind team leader Lance Bouma (CAL). He scored 3 goals in the playoffs and was an even plus/minus with 23 PMs.
2010-11: Kytnar gradually established himself as a solid two-way forward in his first pro season with Oklahoma City (AHL). He skated in 78 games for the Barons and was +5, scoring 13 goals with 16 assists and 35 PMs. Kytnar skated in one playoff game for the Barons with no points or penalties.
Talent Analysis
Kytnar is a two-way, creative center who can score goals but is seen more as a safe, defensive player. He is not very big (6'0), but he uses his body well. Good in front of the net, but he could stand to be more aggressive.
Offensive ability isn't his calling card, though he does have good hands and good instincts. Instead he plays a smart, contained, responsible game, minimizing his own mistakes while working hard to pressure opponents into making more.
Future
In his second pro season, Kytnar has emerged as a quality AHL role player but seems unlikely to ever stick at the NHL level. He got into his first career NHL game in 2011-12 after injuries and illness left the Oilers depleted. He does all the little things well and rarely makes mistakes, so it's not unreasonable to think he may have a handful of brief NHL stints as an injury call up in the bottom six if he continues to develop, however that's likely the ceiling he's looking at.
On January 30, 2012 he transferred from the ECHL's Stockton Thunder to HPK in the Finnish SM-Liiga. It's entirely possible he spends the balance of his career playing in Europe.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: January, 30th 2012
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