Defending Mario Bliznak

The Vancouver Canucks have never been a strong team in the draft. Over the years there have been gems discovered by their scouting staff, but often those diamonds in the rough are few and far between. Some names are only familiar to the most hardcore of fans, anyone remember Mike Wilson, the Canucks top pick in 1993?

But Vancouver Giants winger Mario Bliznak is looking to be a name hockey fans don't have to think about long and hard to recognize.

Bliznak is not one of the hot prospects Canucks fans consistently talk about, but he is the kind of player a team is always in hot demand; a strong defensive forward.

"I think I'm good defensively," Bliznak says in an understated tone. And he isn't the only one to think that.

"He's so smart, he plays both ends of the ice and he's really good in the defensive zone and in the offensive zone, so its really fun playing with him because I know I always have support when I have the puck and I know he's going to be there for me in the corner and help me out," said Bliznak's linemate Spencer Machacek.

That's not to say Bliznak doesn't have any offensive upside, but he isn't the type of player who will turn defensemen inside out with a shoulder fake or a between the legs dangle.

Bliznak has made strides this year to improve his offensive game and his teammates are certainly taking notice.

"I think he's got more confidence now and he goes to the net harder this year and he's getting those goals the go to the net just easy goals, easy goals but hard to get by just driving the net, so he's going to the dirty areas to get goals this year," Machacek said.

Giants Head Coach Don Hay is another fan of Bliznak's defensive ability, but would still like to see a few more pucks go in the net for him.

"I'd like to see him get a little more offensive. He does such a good job without the puck I'd like to see him get rewarded."

The journey to get to the WHL has been a long one for Bliznak, one that has carried him through three teams and two continents. But he is certainly happy to be here now.

"I watched the NHL guys playing here in Canada and it's the best hockey. Young guys like me played here and they told me about this league and it's easier to get to the NHL."

Hockey wasn't the only thing Bliznak had to contend with when he reached the west coast as there was a bit of culture shock for the winger.

"It was a different lifestyle and everything so I was worried because I didn't know English."

Bliznak, who hails from Slovakia, played in two different leagues in his country before being drafted by the Giants in the 2005 CHL import draft. In Slovakia he played for Dubnica on their junior team where his performance got him a chance to play with the senior team.

With the senior team Bliznak was held pointless and thinks that some of the reason why was because he was playing against men as opposed to guys his own age.

"They're bigger guys in the men's league," he said. "They're stronger and a just a little bit quicker."

But the experience didn't discourage Bliznak as he says the time spent in the league helped boost his confidence.

After his year in the Slovak leagues, Bliznak was in for a busy summer. Not only was he drafted by the Giants, the Canucks took him in the seventh round (205th overall) in the NHL draft.

But being taken in the later rounds doesn't add to much pressure on to Bliznak's shoulders.

"I think there's a little bit [more pressure] because I was taken in the seventh round so I want to prove that I can one day play in the NHL."

Playing junior in the same city of the NHL team that drafted him hasn't bothered Bliznak much. If anything, he sees it as a benefit.

"Maybe there's a little bit [of pressure] but it's better because they're watching me all the time so that's great."

As for now, Bliznak's focus is on this season and getting the Giants back into the playoffs for another Memorial Cup run. But that isn't the only championship Bliznak has a shot at this year: He has a shot at making Slovakia's world junior team; something he says would be a great opportunity.

"That would be great because all the NHL scouts will be there and it's different hockey."