The Edmonton Oilers Announce Young Stars Roster

The Edmonton Oilers Young Stars tournament roster has been released.  This looks to be a pretty good team once again this year.  While I don't think it's as good, talent wise as last year, this current squad has a chance to be the best team at the tournament.

Not only are the Oilers bringing guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Tyler Bunz, and Colten Teubert, they will also bring some camp try outs to the tourny as well.  6 of them will get a chance to impress the Oilers brass. 

Will any of them land jobs? Will RNH impress all those who watch? Will one of the lesser know players step up and shine?

Stick around to OilersJambalaya.com, as we will once again follow the Young Stars tournament closely.

The tournament begins September 11th in Penticton, British Columbia.

FORWARDS

73 Cameron Abney
51 Philippe Cornet
71 Drew Czerwonka
69 Travis Ewanyk
79 Brett Ferguson *
70 Curtis Hamilton
64 Milan Kytnar
57 Anton Lander
66 Ryan Martindale
72 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
63 Kristians Pelss
68 Tyler Pitlick
92 Toni Rajala
61 Tobias Rieder
76 Chase Schaber *
59 Colin Smith *
75 Antti Tyrvainen

DEFENCEMEN

82 Jeremie Blain
88 Brandon Davidson
81 Taylor Fedun
78 Martin Gernat
45 Ryan Lowery *
80 Martin Marincin
87 David Musil
85 Tyler Schmidt
84 Colten Teubert
90 Wes Vannieuwenhuizen *

GOALTENDERS

50 Adam Brown *
1 Tyler Bunz
30 Olivier Roy

-* means the player is on a camp try out-

The ROOKIE Card

The ROOKIE Card and it's place in "Hockey"

I grew up knowing nothing about hockey...until the Canucks run for the cup in 81/82. Watching "King" Richard Brodeur, Thomas Gradin, "Tiger" Williams and the rest of the Vancouver Canucks, making a unlikely run for the cup. I was just a 10 year old kid. But seeing the team that represented my city and province do the unexpected, it made me feel like I could too.

It took me to playing street hockey, pond hockey, grass hockey , kitchen hockey...well point is, I fell in love with hockey. Like many of you. I became a fan and forever have been one. My allegiance's have shifted over the years. As a 10 year old boy, Vancouver was my team in their bright yellow jersey's. Then it shifted to the "Broad street bullies" when Pelle Lindberg took them to the Stanley Cup in 1984. Followed them until the 87' Canada Cup where the "Magnificent" Mario had his coming out party. It was Pittsburgh all the way. That was until 1992 ,when I became a Oiler forever.

We all have our stories of how we first fell in love with the game and how we wanted to be the players, the kids now call hero's, but what I remember most during that cup run in 82 was "Hockey Cards".

Every allowance, I would get all excited. I would run out the front door and bike as fast as I could to the local corner store to get the latest package of new hockey cards. Quickly ripping open the package, I would throw the stick of gum from the package into my mouth, start chewing and hope to find a card of my favourite hockey player like Wayne Gretzky or Mark Messier and almost choke on my gum when finding  one.

On the back side of the cards were that players scoring and statistics. I would  know, all the other boys at school would do anything to get that card. Lots of trading would happen. That one good player could fetch you dozens of other cards in completing your team sets.

The excitement would grow at school everyday. We couldn't wait till recess or lunch break.  We would arrange for a card throwing game. A game where each player puts up their best card. Everyone  playing would have to be in agreement that each player had a special card that the other players wanted. You would take your card, stand it up on a slight angle against a wall, then draw a line about ten feet away. That was the line that each player took turns to toss a card from, in hopes of knocking the card down. The player that knocks the card down will get to pick up all the cards that the other players have already tossed and the special card you wanted as well. 

I never thought much about it then, but the cards we were tossing were pretty special cards. It included the likes of the "California Golden Seals", the "Kansas City Scouts", the "Cleveland Barons", the list goes on. Rookie Cards were not thought to be as valuable in that time as gaining your favourite player trading card or completing your favourite complete team set. That was the early 80's. By 1984, the ROOKIE Card in Hockey took a whole new turn. they became valuable! It was years later  that I started remembering all those Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Mario Lemieux ROOKIE cards, I once held in my hand and treated like nothing more then a common pebble found on the playground....It was the 'Dawn" of the ROOKIE card and the game of hockey was about to change forever.......(to be continued)

Development Players VI 'The Final Chapter'

This posting is the last in my examination of the Oilers prospect system. While looking at a goaltenders AVG is good, its more of a relfection of the team as a whole. Also Save % is great to look at but high quality chances can make a goalie look worse then he really is.

Example, if a goaltender has 30 shots on him one game but the game consisted of 3 breakaways, a couple 2 on 1's not to mention poor sloppy play by the defenceman, chances are many of those pucks are going in. On the other hand, if you cut those high quality scoring chances down in half there is a much better possibility the goaltender is cutting down the goals scored as well. Goaltenders also deal with the mental fatique side of hockey more then anyone else.

In understanding goalies there are a few things important to watch for...
1) Postioning
2) Mentally Strong
3) Endurance
4) Not over-commiting

we will cover first on one defenceman and then cover the four goaltenders....


My opinions are based off of three things...

1) NHL Organization's reports
2) Outside scouting reports
3) Personal observations.

Development Players #26-30:


Colten Teubert  6' 4"
195
8 Mar 1990


STATS:


2006-07 Regina Pats WHL                  Games 63 G 3  A 8    PTS 11
2007-08 Regina Pats WHL                  Games 66 G 7  A 16  PTS 23
2008-09 Regina Pats WHL                  Games 60 G 12 A 25 PTS 37
2008-09 Ontario Reign ECHL             Games 8  G 0  A 1     PTS 1
2009-10 Regina Pats WHL                  Games 60 G 10 A 30 PTS 40
2009-10 Ontario Reign ECHL             Games 10 G 1  A 2    PTS 3
2010-11 Manchester Monarchs AHL  Games 39 G 2  A 8    PTS 10
2010-11 Oklahoma City Barons AHL Games 20 G 2  A 5    PTS 7


Fight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIdO6jiBba8

Goal video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOQT3WZ5EOc



revingevs TAKE:
being a highly touted first round pick in 2008 (13th overall), Teubert has the look of more of a physical defensive defenseman.  He can intimidate like nobody's business, and mean enough to
strike some fear into a player coming come the wing. Teubert is going to need to improve his decision
making. Colten is one of those players who can be reactionary and make the odd bad decision that can hurt the team at the wrong time. This is most likely the reason, he has not yet been ready for the big club.

A fierce competitor who coach’s like. Good puck mover, can punish with bone crushing checks, is strong as a ox, and extremely smooth skater. Noticed at the 2011 development camp  like his game has sped up and covering the ice well with his wingspan. Knows how to wrap his man up well, so very little will get by him. Colten most likely will get at least 1 or 2 opportunities this year to cover off for injuries. This will be the year he needs to impress, as he some pretty good defenceman coming up behind him in the system.



Tyler Bunz 
6' 2"
203
11 Feb 1992


STATS:


2008-09 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL Games 22 AVG 3.46 SP .886
2009-10 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL Games 57 AVG 2.91 SP .898 
2010-11 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL Games 56 AVG 2.47 SP .919


Fight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5flWNRyXQ7Y

Save Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPBgYmXMsh4



revingevs TAKE:
Tyler Bunz just completed a spectacular season for the Medicine Hat Tigers, posting a 2.47 goals against average and a .919 save percentage, and  widely viewed as one of the top goaltenders in the league. Tyler  at (6’2, 200 lbs) has decent size and is in line for a postion with Hockey Canada for the 2012 world U20 world jr's. Tyler's arrows are all pointing in the right direction to this point.

Amazing to see the growth in the last couple years. He looked good last 2010 development camp, but this year at the 2011 development camp he looked even better. Looks so much more relaxed and poised in Goal. Can tell his conditioning is far superior this year as well. This camp was crazy, for how tired he should be with all the time on ice, and he still looked good after the many hours in net this week.



Samu Perhonen  6' 5"
184
7 Mar 1993


STATS:


2010-11 Suomo  Fin2     Games 1   AVG 3.04  SP .900               JYP    Fin Jr.    Games 29 AVG 2.71  SP .922


:No video was found:


Truth is, not much can be found on this goaltender and he was sick and in the hotel most of 2011 development camp. Media were unable to get anything more then a Q&A with him. Here is a link to a article done on him over at copper&blue with Lisa McRitchie :

http://www.coppernblue.com/2011/7/6/2258847/samu-perhonen




Olivier Roy 
6' 0"
180
12 Jul 1991


STATS:


2007-08 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL Games 47 AVG 2.87 SP .896
2008-09 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL Games 54 AVG 2.84 SP .905
2009-10 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL Games 54 AVG 2.62 SP .908
2009-10 Springfield Falcons AHL                         Games 3   AVG 2.57 SP .913
2010-11 Acadie-Bathurst Titan QMJHL                Games 45 AVG 2.79 SP .911


Save video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jksK7XpWMgg



revingevs TAKE:
Watching Roy play can be mind boggling,, when he is good, he is very good, but
when he is bad, he is horrid. Considered one of the top goalies in the JR hockey (ie: playing for Canada’s WJC entry) when Roy is on his game, he can be almost unbeatable. Their does seem to be mental lapses and stretches of poor play that can be devastating to his team. Should he be able to start mastering the mental lapses he will be a stellar goaltender but in the meantime he will likely do that as the starter for the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder.  It will be his ability to play consistently and bounce back from bad outings that will take him forward in the depth chart for the Edmonton Oilers.
Oiler Goaltending coach Chabot really likes his game and has even gone as far as to defend him against the critics of his game.



Frans Tuohimaa 
6' 2"
178
19 Aug 1991


STATS:


2010-11 Jokerit   Fin Jr. Games 37  AVG 2.14   SP .931
2009-10 HIFK     Fin Jr. Games 20  AVG 2.89   SP .911
2008-09 HIFK     Fin Jr. Games 18  AVG 3.97   SP .884


:NO VIDEO WAS FOUND:


revingevs TAKE:
Frans has spent the last 3 years in FINISH Jr league. Can not say enough about this guy. Technical Goaltender who seems to make the right decisions at the right time. Does not seem to tire and has a desire to get better each time he hits the ice. He has sais he wants to sharpen his game some before coming over  but is wanting more coaching in the North American game.
Head is always up. No bobing going on, while looking for the puck like many goaltenders. Eyes are very focused on where the puck is and doesn’t lose sight of it easily, even in traffic. Doesn’t play too deep in Goal but also doesn’t wander very much. Rarely over slides in lateral movement in net.
I have nic named him ‘Fabulous Frans’


Hope you have been able to gain some insight into more of the players in the system for the Edmonton Oilers this year. If your like me, you will pick the ones you like and follow them even more closely as the season goes on...and when someone gets called up due to injury or trades, your going to say "I know him!".

Cheers Oil Fan!
@revingev

Development Players Part V

Almost reaching the end of the development players here. Only one more posting after this one, which will include 1 last defenceman and 4 Goalies. So without delaying  here is Part V.

My opinions are based off of three things...

1) NHL Organization's reports
2) Outside scouting reports
3) Personal observations.

Development Players #21-25:


Oscar Klefbom 
6' 3"
204
20 Jul 1993


STATS:

2010-11 Farjestads BK Karlstad SEL Games 23 G 1 A 1 PTS 2


Goal video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbK6EmGs7uQ



revingevs TAKE:
Oscar was acquired in the deal that sent Dustin Penner to the LA Kings, via a draft pick. He has many in Oil Country very excited. His draft year in the Swedish Elite League wasn’t statistically outstanding, but  he was playing a depth role on a good team. Oscars performance in international tournaments and the reports from the scouting community speak of his tremendous potential. Oscar served as captain of Sweden’s silver medal winning U18 team , where he provided offense and leadership from the back end. It is highly likely he will play a major role for Sweden's World Junior this season.

The scouts are excited about his potential , at 6’3 and 200 lbs, he is a good skater, with a physical edge and aggressive offensive instinct. Oscar will need to continue working on his defensive game , but his upside is that of an complete defenseman all teams covet. Oscar wont be coming here soon. He will be in Sweden for next year even possibly 2 years. As a defenceman, that is not always a bad thing. With many other prospects developing in OKC right now playing in Sweden for this year
and next may be just what the Dr ordered for the Edmonton Oilers. Let's hope he improves his all around game this year and progress continues to be made.



Martin Marincin 
6' 5"
196
18 Feb 1992


STATS:

2006-2007 HC Kosice U18-Svk-U18        Games 16 G 0  A 3       PTS 3 
2007-2008 HC Kosice U18-Svk-U18        Games 59 G 3  A 29     PTS 32 
2008-2009 HC Kosice U18-Svk-U18        Games 5  G 4  A 4        PTS 8
                  HC Kosice Jr.-Slovak-Jr.     Games 46 G 11 A 15        PTS 26 
                  Slovakia-WJ18-A              Games 6  G 0  A 1              PTS 1
2009-2010 HK Orange 20 Puchov-Slovakia Games 35 G 2  A 4   PTS 6 
                  Slovakia-WJ18-A              Games 6  G 2  A 1              PTS 3
2010-2011 Prince George Cougars WHL    Games 67 G 14 A 42 PTS 56


Fight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Hb-U1H2-U

Goal Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6aKwy_VIB0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0409ky4_SdI



revingevs TAKE:
Martin dominated the WHL (in the first 2/3 of season) in his rookie season with the Prince George Cougars.  Marincin admited himself to having hit a wall and struggled with the rigors of the length, physicality and travel associated with a full WHL schedule. He is creative and intelligent offensively and has tremendous size, though there were concerns last season about his positioning and coverage in the defensive zone. As long as he can continue to develop like he did last year, tweak his defensive play, and become stronger and disciplined when it comes to enduring a full season, it will be considered a successful year.

It was a great 2011 development camp for this big man. Put on afew more pounds since last year and does not look as lanky and awkward as last year. Martin seems  more seasoned in his positioning and movements and choices with puck movement. Great one time passes out of his end. Skates excellent, quick learner.



David Musil  6' 3"
196
9 Apr 1993


STATS:

2009-10 Vancouver Giants WHL Games 71 G 7 A 25 PTS 32
2010-11 Vancouver Giants WHL Games 62 G 6 A 19 PTS 25


Fight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAI-DScd4YU&feature=related

Pre-2011 draft report video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMa-reOtlxY


revingevs TAKE:
Shows all signs of having a father who knows hockey. Not a great shot from the point but very good passer and composed in his position. Puts himself were he needs to be. Good speed when he gets moving.  Plays bigger then his size as well, and thats not bad considering how big he is. At one point last year it was thought he was a possible top 10 pick in the 2011 draft. David Musil saw his rankings drop over the course of the season, due in large part to a lack of progress offensively. His game is that of a physical, and defensively responsible, defender who at 6’3 and nearly 200 lbs, has the body to do just that at the NHL level. has all the tools to be an impact top four defenseman who can play a shutdown role at even strength and possibly anchor a penalty kill.




Jeff Petry 
6' 3"
196


STATS:


2005-06 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL     Games 48 G 1  A 14  PTS 15
2006-07 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL     Games 55 G 18 A 27 PTS 45 
2007-08 Michigan State University CCHA Games 42 G 3  A 21  PTS 24        
2008-09 Michigan State University CCHA Games 38 G 2  A 12  PTS 14        
2009-10 Michigan State University CCHA Games 38 G 4  A 25  PTS 29        
              Springfield Falcons AHL               Games 8  G 0  A 3     PTS 3 
2010-11 Oklahoma City Barons AHL         Games 41 G 7  A 17  PTS 24
               Edmonton Oilers NHL                  Games 35 G 1  A 4    PTS 5


Save video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRh979WFsu8

Goal video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pre0FLdYKlY

Hit video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2i2OktLZwU



revingevs TAKE:Jeff Petry split time between the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons and the Oilers,  showing well in his 35 NHL games and looking good in his 41 matches with the Barons. Petry doesn’t have number one defenseman upside, but his ability to contribute at even strength, on special teams, and combined with his size and  excellent mobility tells us he has all the tools to be a very good top four defenseman in the NHL. The depth on the club will make it tough to crack the line-up but based on last year's camp Petry will make a good argument as to why he should stick for the season.

His coaches liked him early last year out of camp and and Petry showed no signs of slowing down. he had a few games that were questioned after a good start, was sent to OKC and never looked back, upon returning to finish the season with Edmonton. Plays a game much like Ryan Whitney with a little less hockey awareness when under pressure.



Dillon Simpson 6' 1"
192
10 Feb 1993



STATS:

2009-10 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL Games 58 G 12 A 29 PTS 41
2010-11 U. of North Dakota WCHA  Games 30 G 2  A 8  PTS 10


Goal video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxBQTbCE-AY



revingevs TAKE:
Dillion played regularly in one of the toughest divisions in college hockey as a 17-year-old. Simpson is a tough player to get a read on, Simpson doesn’t have ideal size for an NHL defenseman, and it remains to be seen if he has the pure offensive ability to project as a offensive threat down the road. He received an invite to Team Canada’s WJC summer evaluation camp, (where he fared well in the time he was there for the week) which is a very positive indicator, and he will likely have at least two more years to hone his game in the NCAA.
There is certainly potential and upside.  Very strong defender and excellent puck mover. (Oilers staff see him as a power play specialist in the future for their organization) Plays well in own end positionally. Does not stand out often but shows reliable smart playmaking. Great agility on his skates.

Development Players Part IV

Before we begin to start through the Defenceman who I believe are development players in the Edmonton Oilers system, I wanted to address two players....
ROBBY DEE / KRISTIANS PELSS

Robby- I said I should have made him a BUBBLE player but did not. Too bad, cause he turned out to be on the BUBBLE. He has now moved on and is no longer with the Organization according to many different sources.

Kristians- I had him in the BUBBLE player catagory, however according sources, he is now coming back to play for the Oil-Kings and will be at training camp. It appears by rumours he would have made the team had he stayed. He did play one pre-season game, He choose to return to billets and busing. He now moves 100% into the development catagory and for sure, the Oilers will be impressed with his attitude and drive.

My opinions are based off of three things...

1) NHL Organization's reports
2) Outside scouting reports
3) Personal observations.

Development Players #16-20:


Kyle Bigos 
6' 5"
230
12 May 1989


STATS:


2007-08 Vernon Vipers BCHL         Games 58 G 2 A 15  PTS 17
2008-09 Vernon Vipers BCHL         Games 58 G 8 A 25  PTS 33
2009-10 Merrimack College H-East Games 36 G 4 A 7    PTS 11       
2010-11 Merrimack College H-East Games 33 G 2 A 6    PTS 8


Goal Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz8dEsDgFb8

Big Hit video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjvonWVzCDw

Fight video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoeeiPwxS0A



revingevs TAKE:
Has a striking resemblance as a Matt Greene type player, which can only be a good thing. Carries a good attitude, big body, and plays a shut down game. I have heard in some message boards fans referring to Bigos as a cross between Buekeboom and Greene. Greene's attitude and the potential to use his body much like Beukeboom did. Bigos has a good hard shot which was evident this past 2011 development camp. I also like him as he sticks up for his teammates. His game has grown.

Not easy at this stage of development as he is in the NCAA schooling system, they play fewer games
(which can always be a challenge when put into a 80plus game year) and lots of focus on academics (which is great). Could use some time now in a development program with a personal trainer as he will need to get that first step a little quicker when things start speeding up. Shows great promise though and works hard.




Jeremie Blain 
6' 3"
195
19 Mar 1992


STATS:

2008-09 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL     Games 27 G 1 A 3  PTS 4 
              Acadie-Bathurst Titan QMJHL Games 22 G 0 A 3  PTS 3
2009-10 Acadie-Bathurst Titan QMJHL Games 64 G 4 A 34 PTS 38
2010-11 Acadie-Bathurst Titan QMJHL Games 40 G 2 A 35 PTS 37


Draft video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGChd5-e1Oo


revingevs TAKE:
Upon return from a early season injury last year he was a godsend. Blain scored at a near point-per-game clip (37 points in 40 games) in the back half of the season for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and helped them vastly improve in that time. He is likely to be relied upon heavily for leadership and as a point producer on the blue line this year.

He plays a well-rounded style. Has some concerns raised about his foot speed and foot work, but saw a big improvement since last year’s development camp. First step much better and placing on defensive zone coverage looks to be improved. He doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses and performs above average in most areas, especially at the offensive end. Another dominant season in the Q will solidify Blain as a quality NHL prospect. Looked bigger than his stats show when playing on the ice.


Brandon Davidson 
6' 1"
202
21 Aug 1991


STATS:


2008-09 Olds Grizzlys AJHL             Games 4  G 0 A 4    PTS 4
2009-10 Regina Pats WHL                 Games 59 G 1 A 33 PTS 34
2010-11 Regina Pats WHL                 Games 72 G 8 A 44 PTS 52               Oklahoma City Barons AHL Games 1  G 0 A 0    PTS 0


Fight Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vdm-JaAT9o


revingevs TAKE:
Brandon is a late bloomer in large part due, to his family not having the means to provide him with high level hockey when he was younger. He emerged  as a leader last year on a young Regina Pats team , and played in any and every situation for the club.  He’s a player who can do many things well
 and could become a very useful NHL depth player if he continues to develop. This next season he will need to work on his skating and decision making ability.
That will be the key— to whether he’s in Regina or Oklahoma City the following year—and staying on the upward path he’s been on. At his 2010 development camp his shot stood out, but not just because it was so hard (broke the plexiglass one time) but because he couldn’t hit the net often. In his 2011 development camp he had much better control on the shot. Speed is less, but we already know he can hammer that thing. Looks much better all around in his development. His agility looks much better as well



Taylor Fedun 
6' 0"
190
4 Jun 1988


STATS:


2005-06 Fort Saskatchewan Traders AJHL Games 60 G 13 A 18 PTS 31        
2006-07 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL           Games 50 G 10 A 33  PTS 43
2007-08 Princeton University ECAC          Games 32 G 4  A 10   PTS 14      
2008-09 Princeton University ECAC          Games 35 G 3  A 12   PTS 15       
2009-10 Princeton University ECAC          Games 31 G 3  A 14   PTS 17        
2010-11 Princeton University ECAC          Games 29 G 10 A 12  PTS 22


Goal Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RfQUovYYl0


revingevs TAKE:
Has spent 2 years in the AJHL and just completed 4 years ECAC with Princetown University. Great execution in his play, attentive in small details, learns quick, seldom makes mistakes. Taylor moves very hard on the puck and has a good first pass out of his end. Not always a player who will stand
out but thats not bad either. It's better then standing out for the wrong reasons. 

Struggle for him will be his age. At very least could be a great veteran AHL defender for years, but since he has a degree in engineering, will he settle for that if he doesn’t get the big break with a NHL team? Wish him all the best and hope its a career year in OKC with the Barons.
(p.s. Did I say he is my neighbours friend?..lol)


Martin Gernat 
6' 5"
187
11 Apr 1993


STATS:      
     
 2009-2010  HC Kosice U18  Slovakia U18 Games 41 G 4  A 24 PTS 28              
 2010-2011  HC Presov U18  Slovakia U18 Games 8  G 3  A 4    PTS 7              
                    HC Kosice U20  Slovakia U20 Games 28 G 3  A 15 PTS 18

NO VIDEO FOUND ON MARTIN


revingevs TAKE:
Gernat is a towering presence on the back end at 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds. Gernat has competed for Slovakia on the international stage on two occasions. His size and offensive upside will be a major factor in how well a role he plays in the WHL this year. During the 2011 development camp he really
displayed some great defensive talent. May not be as offensive as countryman Marincin but has the speed, a extra inch of height and quick first step acceleration.

Very aggressive defenceman who could have a excellent year in the WHL this year. Has great potential for the future. Incredible agility for a 6’5 guy and once the weight is put on, could be a monster out there. Very talkative guy on the ice and has close friendship already with Marincin.