CZE: The Michael Kolarz File
Michael Kolarz lists New Jersey Devils captain Scott Stevens as his role model, even though their playing styles are quite different.
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Among the Czech players, Kolarz idolizes the play of veteran NHLer Jiri Slegr.
"I watch all players a lot and they are extremely good defensemen. I try to take the best from their game and make myself better", remarks Kolarz.
Kolarz is an adequate skater who has shown considerable progress in his balance and acceleration during the last season thanks to power-skating lessons. Possessing good offensive upside, he supports the attack effectively with his deceptive passing ability, even though prone to the odd bad puckmoving decision. This is an area that needs further improving, namely making safer plays while maintaining his composure while under pressure.
Solid in his own end, he will only jump into the rush after his defensive responsibilities are finished, and is a welcome asset on the power play given his above-average puckhandling skills.
Another part of Kolarz’s game that needs attention is his shooting skills in terms of both velocity and accuracy. As well, he rarely uses his mid-sized frame to full advantage, and would only benefit from adding toughness and a bigger mean streak.
He plays with solid intensity and determination, and boasts decent smarts, but must keep his play simple to be effective, as he sometimes tries to do too much.
Unfortunately, the 2003-04 campaign was only marginally successful for Kolarz. He didn't get much quality icetime on the junior squad thanks to a cloudy situation regarding his contract with the Vitkovice club, coupled with a propensity for making mistakes in his own zone.
This lack of composure ultimately led to a demotion to the midget team in an effort to restore his confidence and two-way prowess. One of the oldest players to dress out for midget Extraleague games in `03-4, Kolarz proved his dominance on that level with inspirational offense and sound two-way play.
After two weeks on the midget level, Kolarz was recalled to the junior team again. Appearing in much better shape, Kolarz dressed out for 46 junior games, registering seven points and 51 penalty minutes. To close the season, Kolarz rejoined the midgets for their playoff run, contributing nine points in 11 games (11-5-4-9, plus-8, 40 PIM) before being eliminated by the eventual champion Slavia Praha midgets in the semifinals.
On the international stage, Kolarz made the national roster for the first tournament of the Under-18 team's schedule last season, the World Junior Cup in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Along with Jakub Kindl, he was one of the two underage defensemen, but did struggle at times with the pace, delivering merely an average performance in the tournament with one point in five games.
Kolarz skated with the under-18’s on one more occasion, at the Five Nations Tournament in February, however, he played more of a key role for the Czech Under-17 team. Kolarz
dressed for the Four Nations Tournament in November, and for the Viking Cup at
Christmas, where he served as an alternate captain. Kolarz pulled off a decent showing in North America, emerging as one of the defensive anchors.
Overall, he played 14 games for the under-17 squad in `03-4, registering six points (14-1-5-6, 8 PIM).
Off the ice, Michael Kolarz finished the second year of his studies at the secondary school for sports in Ostrava, which is attended by many players from the local junior and midget teams. Eligible for the 2005 NHL Draft, he bid farewell to his Vitkovice team this summer and headed overseas to play in the OHL after the Plymouth Whalers selected him in the first round, 38th overall, of this year’s CHL Import Draft. His rights were subsequently traded to the Kingston Frontenacs.
Although attracted by the CHL route as opposed to staying in Europe, the North American decision did force him to interrupt his education.
Kolarz spends much of his non-hockey time with school duties, but also finds ways to rest and relax.
“When I'm tired, then I just take a nap. But if I have any physical strength left, I tend to be active in my spare time. Tennis and of course soccer are my favorite sports. And, recently I began to play golf, but have to admit that I'm just a beginner."
