Petr Kanko

Coming over from Sparta Praha of the Czech Republic league, Kanko made an immediate splash in the OHL. In his first season with the Kitchener Rangers (2001-2002), Kanko was 2nd on the team in goals (28) and points (60). The right winger finished the 2002-2003 season 2nd on the team in goals (33) and tied for 3rd in points (67) while anchoring the Rangers second line.

2003-04: Kanko continued his success in Kitchener as an overager. Set career highs in points and assists and played in the OHL Allstar game where he tallied two goals and an assist. He also scored a goal and an assist for Team Czech in the WJC U20. Joined Manchester at the conclusion of the OHL season to score four points in six regular season games and add another four points in the playoffs.

2004-05: Kanko experienced a bit of a disappointing season. After scoring four points in six games to finish the 2003-04 season, Kanko was poised to have a break-out season. As the work stoppage filled the AHL rosters with NHL level talent, Kanko got pushed to the back lines and never really found his scoring touch. Injuries limited him to just 60 games. Look for Kanko to assume a larger role in Manchester next season.

2005-06: Kanko spent the majority of the season skating in the role of an agitator for Manchester. Kanko received a brief call-up to Los Angeles where he scored his first career NHL goal. Kanko will likely be spending more time in Los Angeles than Manchester from this point on.

2006-07: Continuing as an agitator for the Monarchs, Kanko finished the season with 19 points in 58 games, a slight decline from last season.  Kanko spent the entire season in the AHL and sometimes found himself watching the game from the stands as issues on and off the ice began to affect his overall performance.