Kämpf, Kepka hope national team exposure helps their 2013 draft standing

by Radoslav Vavrina
on

David Kämpf - Czech Republic

Photo: Chomutov Jr. forward David Kämpf is currently ranked 95th among international skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting (courtesy of Luboš Lang/Czech Ice Hockey Association)

Junior hockey season in the Czech Republic is already entering into its second phase, with teams in the Under-20 and Under-18 category going all in to salvage their hopes of winning their respective Extraligas. Most of the Czech-based players eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft play in the U-20 Extraliga that has now, in late January, reached the end of its regular season.

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Czech defender Pisarik could draw some attention at 2013 NHL Draft

by Radoslav Vavrina
on

Alex Pisarik - Czech Republic

Photo: The 2013 draft class for the Czech Republic isn't deep, but one player whose name could be called is Třinec defender Alex Pisarik (courtesy of Luboš Lang/Czech Ice Hockey Association)

At last year's NHL Draft, Canadian and American defensemen took over a large part of the first round. Seven of them were selected among the top ten of the draft, an indication that the 2012 North American defensive class was simply exceptional.

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Rob looks for Czech success at U-18 WJC

by Radoslav Vavrina
on

Lubos Rob - Ceske Budejovice

Photo: The father of Ceske Budejovice forward Lubos Rob, Jr. was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fifth round of the 1990 NHL Draft (courtesy of Ceske Budejovice)

After an impressive performance at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, which the Czech Republic co-hosted alongside Slovakia, the Czech U-18 national team is off to a successful season. Not only did they manage to play tight games with elite countries back in August, their perfect team play also caused Russia to lose one of three friendly games the two countries played in mid-December.

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2013 WJC Review: Czech Republic maintains fifth position

by Radoslav Vavrina
on

Dmitri Jaskin - Czech Republic

Photo: Moncton Wildcats forward and St. Louis Blues draft pick Dmitri Jaskin built on his strong showing in the QMJHL this season to turn in an equally strong showing for his country at the 2013 WJC (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

As was the case a year ago at the World Junior Championship in Alberta, the Czech Republic's Under-20 national team once again advanced from the group stage and, this time alongside Switzerland, created an upset for another big hockey country.

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Notes and quotes from the preliminary round of the 2013 World Juniors

by Chapin Landvogt
on

Aleksander Barkov - Finland

Photo: Highly-rated 2013 prospect Aleksander Barkov of Finland has roots in the country that is hosting the 2013 World Junior Championship, Russia (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Notes

Team Sweden is sporting the best power-play, coming in at 35.71%, while the USA tops penalty killing units at 88.24%. Interestingly enough, no team has been on the power-play more than Sweden and only Russia has been shorthanded less than the USA.

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