D Vladimir Dravecky - Team Slovakia U18, Slovakia 2 (2026 Draft)

[Pazucha]

Dravecky is taller than Luka...

I know my point is that both are short in height but one can skate fast the other not so much

 

[hellwar9]

Dravecky junior is basically a finished player in terms of growth. He won't grow much, there is room for 1, maybe 2 cm. It's a pity, because if he was taller, his poor and technically bad skating wouldn't matter so much. He is slow and in the older categories it starts to be a real problem and I personally don't see much room for improvement here. He'll probably be drafted, he has great shot, he's good on the power play and his transition game is also good, but his physical parameters and skating are the handicaps that will separate him from the early rounds and he'll go probably from the middle to late rounds. I personally don't see the potential for a regular NHL player there right now, but I'd be happy to be wrong.

 

[Pazucha]

Nice goal against Skalica in U20 (Already 3pts after first period)

 

[alko]

Dravecky junior is basically a finished player in terms of growth

Why not? He is only 16 years old. Some young guys, grow in his age 5-6 cm.

 

[kudla]

Why not? He is only 16 years old. Some young guys, grow in his age 5-6 cm.

And just like that, he is now listed at 181 cm, already achieving hellwar's growth prediction

 

[Antiillafire]

Sounds like he received an exemption from IIHF and will be able to suit up for Slovakia at the upcoming U18’s. Slovakia adding Zubek and Dravecky here will be huge, helping that dreadfully weak 2006 age group

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Terrific. Looking forward to watching Slovakia.

 

[Martinez89]

After HGC, he didn't make the team again. Crazy as we can find 10 other 2007-born players in the nomination. This young coach Dendis really doesn't like him I think, Dravecky doesn´t play well under him maybe he doesn´t feel trust in him? In every other match where I saw Dravecký under the different coach he was excellent, here under young Dendis he´s somehow never the same...

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Must be attitude or something like that. Slovakia doesn’t have enough good players for him to not make the team. Surely the coach can’t be that stupid.

 

[alko]

Did he really received this exemption from IIHF?

 

[mirec04]

Did he really received this exemption from IIHF?

yes

 

[Martinez89]

Dravecky with 2+2 in Slovakia U17 6-2 win over Finland U17. He showed absolutely dominant and terrific performance and was miles ahead of everyone on the ice, but, unfortunately not good enough for our young U18 coach

Here you can check the goal highlights from that game, he wears number 22.

https://x.com/vretenicka/status/1781402752834248970

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Disappointed in the U18 coach.

 

[kudla]

They way he dominates this category is funny really

 

[Antiillafire]

Dravecky with 2+2 in Slovakia U17 6-2 win over Finland U17. He showed absolutely dominant and terrific performance and was miles ahead of everyone on the ice, but, unfortunately not good enough for our young U18 coach

Here you can check the goal highlights from that game, he wears number 22.

https://x.com/vretenicka/status/1781402752834248970

Strong performance again today. An assist on the teams loan goal against Sweden.

I’m really hoping Dendis isn’t overthinking the tournament with the U18 selection.

 

[Ovechkin962]

He will probably be picked in this year CHL import draft.

 

[Pazucha]

Signed with Swedish Club Rogle BK

 

[Antiillafire]

Just doesn’t make sense to me. J20 won’t help his game. Why not just stay and play in Kosice and with the project?

Rogle isn’t going to give him top 6 minutes in the SHL.

Superior path would be Dy-1 in limited role in Kosice -> DY top 4 role in Kosice.

I saw the best players at recent U18 tournament as guys who should stay and play pro in Slovak league for their draft year.

 

[hellwar9]

Because he needs to improve his skating and the Swedish system is better for him, where next season he will play in the Swedish J20 and he will at least get a peek at the men's team and he will play the draft season in the SHL. We don't even need to talk about the work and development of defensemen in sweden. It is also not sure whether he will represent Slovakia. After the way he was treated before the U18 World Championship, Dravecky Jr. is deciding whether he would rather represent the Czech Republic. Only the summer and especially next season will show how he will decide.

 

[Pazucha]

It is also not sure whether he will represent Slovakia. After the way he was treated before the U18 World Championship, Dravecky Jr. is deciding whether he would rather represent the Czech Republic.

Someone please send him a gift basket with a card that says sorry before its too late.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I feel so bad for the Slovaks.

@Czechboy might want to start reading this thread now.

 

[Czechboy]

I feel so bad for the Slovaks.

@Czechboy might want to start reading this thread now.

Did we get dravecky?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Did we get dravecky?

It is also not sure whether he will represent Slovakia. After the way he was treated before the U18 World Championship, Dravecky Jr. is deciding whether he would rather represent the Czech Republic. Only the summer and especially next season will show how he will decide.

 

[Czechboy]

If he's good.. I hope Slovakia gets him to be honest. Hoping we both improve!