Czechs Dominate the CHL Import Draft

Part I of II, analyzing Czech players picked in the 2004 CHL Import draft, some of who will come over to play in North America for the 2003/2004 season.

Zdenek Bahensky, C, 1st round, 1st overall

Saskatoon Blades' pick Bahensky is hoping not to follow in the path of certain predecessors like Jiri Drtina and Marian Havel, who turned out to be CHL busts. Litvinov made it clear that there is no regular spot for Bahensky on the senior team which accelerated his move overseas. Bahensky should be a top-liner immediately, but needs a good first half to ensure a spot on the Czech U-20 team .. His strongest asset is his smooth skating ability and quickness. He handles the physical rigours well, although bulking up will be essential. Bahensky possesses a good release and has two-dimensional upside, although he still seems to disappear in some games.

Jakub Kindl, D, 1st round, 5th overall

The Kitchener Rangers snapped up the potential top 10 pick in next year's draft, which was a wise selection - Kindl is the biggest name out of the Czech 1987 class. He boasts a wealth of experience out of the junior national teams of numerous age categories and has some senior-level experience .. Kindl will be a two-way force and is already well-built at 6-3, 185. A strong skater who can run the powerplay effectively, he also uses the size to his advantage, but is still prone to occasional mistakes at either end. Needs to get meaner.

David Krejci, C, 1st round, 6th overall

Excellent pick for the Gatineau Olympiques from the Import Draft. Krejci joins his third team in two seasons and had previous interest in coming over to North America. Many of the veterans from last year's Olympiques roster are on their way out, so Krejci will contend for a top-line spot. He doesn't speak English, so his adjustment may take some time .. Although a daring player, Krejci is not physical. He is, however, chippy and opportunistic. He has soft hands, good stamina and instincts to play the pivot position. He, at times, shows a bit of a temper which is a good thing, although it isn't always channeled properly. A slight concern is his lack of explosive speed.

Michal Birner, LW, 1st round, 8th overall

Future Barrie Colt made it known that he will not be returning to the Czech Republic for what promises to be a two-year stay in North America. Birner brings instant offense to the table, but as with many players in the Import Draft, he will have language issues .. We like his agility and quickness; Birner is also quite strong on his skates - so he should not get knocked around. We would like to see him show more consistent interest, but when motivated, he can be a force in traffic.

Marek Kvapil, RW, 1st round, 11th overall

The oldest player selected in the draft went nearly unnoticed by coaches of Czech junior national teams, but made a name for himself with good showings in previous seasons. Kvapil made the Slavia Praha senior team, where he was used as a fringe fourth liner. He also turned heads at the Under-20 tournament in February where he ranked among the best Czech forwards .. Kvapil is a slippery skater with deceptive quickness. He is capable of rapid changes of pace with good bursts of speed. A slick puckhandler, he is a difference maker on PP units but is not always willing to muck it out in the corners. He must improve his defensive positioning and marking .. Has a lot of adjustments to make for his stay in Saginaw.

Jakub Sindel, C/RW, 1st round, 13th overall

A bit of a gamble here by the Brandon Wheat Kings, because Sindel still has a valid contract with Sparta Praha, although the word is the Sparta is willing to let go of the young stud to develop in the WHL for one year. However, that could be pending the NHL lockout situation whereby any additions to the lineup from North America might push Sindel from cracking the team's roster. Sindel's adjustments to the North American game is expected to be a fairly smooth one - he speaks excellent English from his stint with Boumouth of Albert Midget AAA as a 14-year old. He should be a major offensive force if he comes over .. an excellent skater and crafty stickhandler, Sindel is coachable and creative. His weaknesses include his defensive game and a skinny frame that could take some beating even at the junior level. Expect him to get off to a quick start, but unless he puts in the requisite time in the training room, he'll cool off eventually.

Tomas Stryncl, D, 1st round, 17th overall

2005-eligible rearguard is hoping to make a name for himself in the OHL with Brampton. He does not have a lot of junior experience and was a fringe player with the Czech Under-16 and Under-17 teams. He spent most of last year performing with the midgets and is a wildcard of sorts to say the least .. He lacks size and aggressiveness, but has offensive skillls to compensate. An agile skater, Stryncl is a composed puck mover who has struggled playing in his own end. Not one of the top 2005 draft-eligible prospects, but could surprise.

Roman Polak, D, 1st round, 19th overall

Kootenay Ice draft pick wasn't happy with his situation in Vitkovice . His chances of playing with the senior club there are not great, which prompted his move overseas. Polak's style is very adaptable to North America, so expect some immediate success. The St. Louis Blues' pick at the 2004 NHL Entry draft is steady and rugged .. He is adept on both the PP and the PK and is very strong for a kid without pro seasoning. Tough, positionally sound and has a cannon of a shot.

Jakub Petruzalek, RW, 1st round, 23rd overall

The Ottawa 67's are hoping that Petruzalek can rip up the OHL the same way he did the Czech Junior Extraleague. He and Lukas Kaspar (the other 67's pick) could mesh well together and the other's presence could alleviate the culture shock, if any. A smallish player, Petruzalek is not a sure bet to succeed, considering the tough-nosed style of the CHL .. He is an explosive skater with soft hands and smooth moves. Tight traffic areas give him trouble, but Petruzalek has shown that he can find ways to avoid big guys with quickness and savvy. Very light, very finesse and not at all defensively aware.

Radek Smolenak, C/LW, 1st round, 26th overall

One of the better Czech late '86-born players, Smolenak will continue his steady progression with the Kingston Frontenacs. He set the Czech midget Extraleague on fire in 2002-2003, winning the goal scoring trophy and then went on to have a solid season with the Kladno junior team, scoring steadily in the second half after a cold start. Smolenak is raw and does not have a lot of international experience but could be productive, depending on how well he's able to improve his skating and add bulk .. A tall, lanky guy, Smolenak is a capable two-way player with soft hands and above-average puck skills. He has to improve his agility.

Martin Bucek, LW, 1st round, 28th overall

Bucek has the physical tools and the belligerence to fit in well with the Portland Winterhawks. He can be a force at the junior level, but that will all depend on his level of work ethic - due to a questionable work ethic, there are some concerns as to his future .. At his best, Bucek is a feisty and competitive player who sticks his nose into traffic and is willing to participate in scrums. His strongest offensive asset is his booming slap shot. Bucek is strong, bullish and is tough to knock off the puck, however his skating skills are only average.

Lukas Kaspar, LW, 1st round, 29th overall

In case you are wondering why Kaspar went so low, it has yet to be established whether he's going or staying. If Kaspar arrives, he will be an immediate top-line force on Ottawa - an Extraleague regular in 2003-2004, he toiled on the third and fourth line of Litvinov. He boasts a wealth of international experience, including his participation at the Under-20 World Juniors last Christmas. The word is that Litvinov is unable to provide Kaspar with more playing time, which would open doors for him in North America .. The big, rangy forward is a sniper with soft hands and an excellent array of shots. Compared to countrymen Petr Sykora and Patrick Elias, Kaspar has a similar skill set, but has been often criticized for floating on the periphery and neglecting defensive duties.

Jan Danecek, C, 1st round, 30th overall

Danecek's skills are drool-inducing, but his smallish frame and history of injuries (ankle problems) are signs for some concern. Danecek is anxious to prove his worth (and health) in North America (Victoriaville Tigres) and should his QMJHL trial-by-fire fail, he will opt for the USHL. He has the skills to succeed in the QMJHL as a scorer, but his fragile frame might be knocked around .. While an excellent skater with natural, pure puck skills and an excellent set of hands, at 5-9, 160 Danecek is smallish beyond belief.

Marek Knebl, RW, 1st round, 34th overall

Needless to say, Knebl needed a way out as his progress basically hit a wall while with the Vsetin midget team, where he skated for a whopping four seasons. The Swift Current pick was not able to crack the Junior Extraleague as most of his peers. Knebl has interesting skills, but his questionable work ethic has been a recipe for instability thus far .. An agile skater, Knebl is a fine stickhandler with good vision and passing skills. On the downside, his work ethic tends to drop when the physical level of a game increases, which renders him virtually ineffective.

Lubomir Stach, D, 1st round, 35th overall

A Belleville Bull pick, the pint-sized Stach is not quite like a bull - more like a baby bull. A skinny, skilled player, Stach was a successful junior in the Czech Republic and won a bronze medal with the Czech Under-18 team in Belarus. A forward similar to the Vancouver Giant Lukas Pulpan, Stach possesses remarkable puck control skills, but similarly struggles against big, physical opponents .. Don't expect Stach to develop into an OHL star, but he can be a difference maker due to his soft hands and smooth skills on the puck. Although he is not much on an NHL prospect, Stach is nifty enough to put up points with Belleville.