Milan Kytnar

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.

2011-12: Kytnar made his NHL debut  on January 11th – appearing in one game with the Oilers against New Jersey on an emergency call-up from ECHL Stockton – in a season that saw him play in four leagues on two continents.  After opening his second pro season with ECHL Stockton,  he was called up by AHL Oklahoma City and skated in seven games before being returned to Stockton.  He shuttled between the two teams until February – when he headed to Finland to play for HPK in the SM-Liiga. He had no points nor penalty minutes in 5:31 of ice time in his brief appearance with the Oilers. Kytnar skated in 12 games for Oklahoma City and was an even plus/minus with 1 goal and 2 assists. In 17 ECHL games with Stockton he scored 7 goals with 5 assists and was plus-eight with 14 penalty minutes. He had 3 assists and 12 penalty minutes in 16 games with HPK. Kytnar signed a contract with Slovan Bratislava in the KHL in May 2012.

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

Kytnar was not signed by the Oilers and has signed a contract to play in the KHL.