WJC: 2017 Slovakia Roster Talk

[Patera]

I think that Slovakia has good team this year. They have couple of players in CHL who have started their season pretty good. Studenic and Bucek for example. Their goaltender tandem is very good and defence is not bad either. Very interesting to see how they perform in WJC.

Click to read more...

 

[kudla]

I think this team wont be good, but definitely will be better than our last wjc team

 

[alko]

Now thats a question. How will the team look in WJC?

As we know, there is this Orange 20 team. And thats the core, that Bokros is working with.
But this season it is a very weak team. Especially in offense, 8:54 in 11 games.

Now they are going to some U20 tournament. Also with guys from Europe. Bokros will have the chance to compare guys from "his" team to guys from other leagues.
Now it seems, that he has no chance as to focus to North America and Europe. Guys from Orange 20 team could be useful in defense. For offence, he needs look in another directions.

The situation with goalies isnt also optimistic. Tomek didnt played a game more than 1 full season. I can see, he will play some in next few weeeks. But that is not enough. Huska has his first game, and a good one, behind him. But also he has a very tough opponent in his team.

Durny from Orange 20 is under tough cross-fire every game. Lot of goals doesnt help his confidence. And as we know, 70 % from good goalie is his confidence. He must be mental strong.
There is also David Hrenak in USHL. He could be a dark horse. But he also isnt a goalie Numero Uno in his team.

Bucek, Studenic, Ruzicka, Cernak, Bondra are good in CHL leagues. But lets face it. Others teams have more of this players. And better ones.
Will Bokros have the guts to look also in NAHL? Miroslav Mucha and Samuel Solensky could be tested.

 

[Hockeyklubban]

This is who I would line up, maybe I would swith some buttom 2 line players to some older maye more experienced players whit more defensive focus.

Adam Huska
David Hrenak
Roman Durny

Erik Cernak - Matej Pokorny
Andrej Hatala - Martin Bodak
Martin Fehervary - Michal Roman
Mario Grman


Radovan Bondra -Milos Roman- Samuel Bueck
Peter Valent- Filip Lestan - Marian Studenic
Adam Ruzicka - Boris Sadecky - Denis Pätoprosty
Martin Andrisik - Alex Tamasi - Phillip Knies
Matej Murin

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'm still very optimistic about Huska, despite him not getting that many games so far. His competition for playing time in five years older than him.

 

[nabby12]

Just FYI, Matej Tomek will more than likely be the starter for Slovakia at the World Juniors this year.

 

[kudla]

Just FYI, Matej Tomek will more than likely be the starter for Slovakia at the World Juniors this year.

He is most likely gonna be the 3rd goalie...

 

[alko]

Just FYI, Matej Tomek will more than likely be the starter for Slovakia at the World Juniors this year.

More than likely? After he didnt played a game in 1 and half year? Common. Be realistic.
Bokros said, that from North America he is sure about 2 players - Adam Huska and Erik Cernak.

 

[nabby12]

He is most likely gonna be the 3rd goalie...

More than likely? After he didnt played a game in 1 and half year? Common. Be realistic.
Bokros said, that from North America he is sure about 2 players - Adam Huska and Erik Cernak.

He is your most talented netminder to come around since Halak. He'll be the number one goalie come the 27th against Team Canada.

http://www.worldjunior2017.com/en/news/tomek/

 

[wings5]

He is your most talented netminder to come around since Halak. He'll be the number one goalie come the 27th against Team Canada.

http://www.worldjunior2017.com/en/news/tomek/

He's a benchwarmer so far in his NCAA career, maybe bad choice of program. He for sure isn't a certain starter.

 

[ergi24]

ADAM HUSKA - Univ. of Connecticut/NCAA
DÃVID HRENÃK - Green Bay Gamblers/USHL
ROMAN DURNY - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia

1. Huska
2. Durny
3. Hrenak


sub.
MATEJ TOMEK - Univ. of North Dakota/NCAA

ERIK CERNAK - Erie Otters/OHL - R
MARTIN BODÃK - LeKi/Mestis - R
MARTIN FEHÉRVÃRY - Malmö Redhawks J20/SuperElit - L
MICHAL ROMAN - HC Frydek-Mistek/Czech2 - L
ANDREJ HATALA - HK Dukla Trencin/Slovakia - R
MARIO GRMAN - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - R
MATEJ POKORNÃ - HC Slovan Bratislava/KHL - R

1. Roman - Cernak
2. Fehervary - Hatala
3. Grman - Bodák
7. Pokorny

sub.
VOJTECH ZELENAK - HC Benatky nad Jizerou/Czech2 - L

RADOVAN BONDRA - Vancouver Giants/WHL - LW - L
MARIAN STUDENIC - Hamilton Bulldogs/OHL - RW - L
ADAM RUZICKA - Sarnia Sting/OHL - CE - L
SAMUEL BUCEK - Shawinigan Cataractes/QMJHL - LW - R
SAMUEL SOLENSKY - Johnstown Tomahawks/NAHL - RW - L
MILOS ROMAN - HC Frydek-Mistek/Czech2 - CE - L
MARTIN ANDRISÃK - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L
MATEJ MURIN - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - CE - R
MAREK HECL - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - RW - L
BORIS SÃDECKÃ - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - CE - L
LUKAS ZIAK - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - RW - L
OLIVER PATAKY - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L
MAREK SLOBODA - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L


1. BONDRA - RUZICKA - SOLENSKY
2. BUCEK - ROMAN - STUDENIC
3. PATAKY - SADECKY - HECL
4. ANDRISÃK - MURIN - ZIAK
13. SLOBODA

sub.
FILIP LESTAN - HV71 J20/SuperElit - LW - L
ALEX TAMASI - HC Banska Bystrica/Slovakia - CE - L

 

[alko]

ADAM HUSKA - Univ. of Connecticut/NCAA
DÃVID HRENÃK - Green Bay Gamblers/USHL
ROMAN DURNY - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia

1. Huska
2. Durny
3. Hrenak


sub.
MATEJ TOMEK - Univ. of North Dakota/NCAA

ERIK CERNAK - Erie Otters/OHL - R
MARTIN BODÃK - LeKi/Mestis - R
MARTIN FEHÉRVÃRY - Malmö Redhawks J20/SuperElit - L
MICHAL ROMAN - HC Frydek-Mistek/Czech2 - L
ANDREJ HATALA - HK Dukla Trencin/Slovakia - R
MARIO GRMAN - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - R
MATEJ POKORNÃ - HC Slovan Bratislava/KHL - R

1. Roman - Cernak
2. Fehervary - Hatala
3. Grman - Bodák
7. Pokorny

sub.
VOJTECH ZELENAK - HC Benatky nad Jizerou/Czech2 - L

RADOVAN BONDRA - Vancouver Giants/WHL - LW - L
MARIAN STUDENIC - Hamilton Bulldogs/OHL - RW - L
ADAM RUZICKA - Sarnia Sting/OHL - CE - L
SAMUEL BUCEK - Shawinigan Cataractes/QMJHL - LW - R
SAMUEL SOLENSKY - Johnstown Tomahawks/NAHL - RW - L
MILOS ROMAN - HC Frydek-Mistek/Czech2 - CE - L
MARTIN ANDRISÃK - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L
MATEJ MURIN - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - CE - R
MAREK HECL - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - RW - L
BORIS SÃDECKÃ - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - CE - L
LUKAS ZIAK - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - RW - L
OLIVER PATAKY - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L
MAREK SLOBODA - Team Slovakia U20/Slovakia - LW - L


1. BONDRA - RUZICKA - SOLENSKY
2. BUCEK - ROMAN - STUDENIC
3. PATAKY - SADECKY - HECL
4. ANDRISÃK - MURIN - ZIAK
13. SLOBODA

sub.
FILIP LESTAN - HV71 J20/SuperElit - LW - L
ALEX TAMASI - HC Banska Bystrica/Slovakia - CE - L

I like it. Only one substitution i would make:
- Solensky out
- Lestan in

 

[peto10]

I like it. Only one substitution i would make:
- Solensky out
- Lestan in

Why? Lestan is having a terrible season.

 

[alko]

Why? Lestan is having a terrible season.

Well, his productivity is very low, thats true. But he is a hard nosed guy, that could be usefull in corners and in front of the goalie. Dont think, that Solensky is the difference guy for our offense.

 

[Namejs]

I just compared all the Slovakian players side by side with the Latvian ones, and I've got to say that the quality of both teams is so similar it's almost uncanny. You're probably eyeing medals and not thinking about relegation, but the way I see it, it's going to be an interesting fight for that 4th spot in our group.

 

[Jakk123]

I just compared all the Slovakian players side by side with the Latvian ones, and I've got to say that the quality of both teams is so similar it's almost uncanny. You're probably eyeing medals and not thinking about relegation, but the way I see it, it's going to be an interesting fight for that 4th spot in our group.

I don't think anyone with at least a bit of rational thinking is eyeing medals in Slovakia

 

[kudla]

I just compared all the Slovakian players side by side with the Latvian ones, and I've got to say that the quality of both teams is so similar it's almost uncanny. You're probably eyeing medals and not thinking about relegation, but the way I see it, it's going to be an interesting fight for that 4th spot in our group.

Medal? This is not 2015, people here talk about how good the Latvian team is gonna be compared to ours and that we are very likely gonna get relegated this year...

 

[alko]

Medal? This is not 2015 ...

Common. Who in 2015 counted with medals? Maybe 1 % of all fans.
Its always about this one game. Also in 2015 was it. Luckily, they won the game vs Finland. But before the tournament, it was about the game vs Germany.

We should wait 10 - 15 years. As you all know, the new government is very active to make the situation better. So, maybe in 15 years, we will be in place, where is Finland now.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Huska's stats are really starting to improve. He now has the 9th best save percentage in the NCAA of goalies who've played more than five games this season. He has by far the highest save percentage of U-20 goalies in NCAA hockey. He's the leader by .006, which is a lot. The NCAA is also a league with some older players. The guy he competes with for playing time for UConn was born in 1992, he was born in 1997. His most recent game he shut out the #5 team in the country with a 37 save shutout on the road. He was the first star of the game. I didn't watch the game, but I read he was excellent. Here is a replay of the game, if you want to watch. https://livestream.com/accounts/6846136/events/6418925/videos/142306651

I'm not sure your team will be able to compete with the best teams in the tournament at most positions, but I think you guys might have the second best goalie after Russia who has Samsonov. You guys should be able to get to Quarter-Finals, and in single elimination games, the team with the best goalie has a very good chance to win. If you guys get there, you won't be facing Russia, so you'll have the best goalie against whoever you play.

 

[Namejs]

Huska's stats are really starting to improve. He now has the 9th best save percentage in the NCAA of goalies who've played more than five games this season. He has by far the highest save percentage of U-20 goalies in NCAA hockey. He's the leader by .006, which is a lot. The NCAA is also a league with some older players. The guy he competes with for playing time for UConn was born in 1992, he was born in 1997. His most recent game he shut out the #5 team in the country with a 37 save shutout on the road. He was the first star of the game. I didn't watch the game, but I read he was excellent. Here is a replay of the game, if you want to watch. https://livestream.com/accounts/6846136/events/6418925/videos/142306651

I'm not sure your team will be able to compete with the best teams in the tournament at most positions, but I think you guys might have the second best goalie after Russia who has Samsonov. You guys should be able to get to Quarter-Finals, and in single elimination games, the team with the best goalie has a very good chance to win. If you guys get there, you won't be facing Russia, so you'll have the best goalie against whoever you play.

Huska is a talented goalie, but analysing his statistics after 6 or 7 games is laughable. The variance is so huge it's not even worth bringing it up.

One could just as well look at his showing last year at the WJC and claim that he's really not that good at all.

And on what exactly are you basing the assumption that Slovakia are going to make the play-offs?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Huska is a talented goalie, but analysing his statistics after 6 or 7 games is laughable. The variance is so huge it's not even worth bringing it up.

One could just as well look at his showing last year at the WJC and claim that he's really not that good at all.

And on what exactly are you basing the assumption that Slovakia are going to make the play-offs?

What am I basing that assumption on? I think Slovakia is better than Latvia. I think if you take a look at the two teams, Slovakia has more depth. Slovakia doesn't have the talent of the better teams, but I believe they have a better goalie than these other teams that they could play in the Quarter-finals. If they come up against a team like Finland or Czech Republic in the Quarter-Finals, two teams who are better but might have down years with the quality of their teams, having the better goalie can easily win them the match. I think Sweden would be a more difficult team to beat. Sweden has a lot of very good players this year.

Huska was USHL Goalie of the year, so if 6 games isn't enough, take his play from last season. I also think you are just stat-watching to claim he wasn't good at last year's WJC. I watched every Slovakia game. He was good, even very good at times, but his team was just so overmatched by the better teams. The raw stats only tells so much when your team is leaving you out to dry.

 

[Namejs]

What am I basing that assumption on? I think Slovakia is better than Latvia. I think if you take a look at the two teams, Slovakia has more depth. Slovakia doesn't have the talent of the better teams, but I believe they have a better goalie than these other teams that they could play in the Quarter-finals. If they come up against a team like Finland or Czech Republic in the Quarter-Finals, two teams who are better but might have down years with the quality of their teams, having the better goalie can easily win them the match. I think Sweden would be a more difficult team to beat. Sweden has a lot of very good players this year.

Huska was USHL Goalie of the year, so if 6 games isn't enough, take his play from last season. I also think you are just stat-watching to claim he wasn't good at last year's WJC. I watched every Slovakia game. He was good, even very good at times, but his team was just so overmatched by the better teams. The raw stats only tells so much when your team is leaving you out to dry.

So you're using statistics as the basis of your argument if it fits your preconceived opinion, but you're discarding stats entirely if they go against what you believe in. Great stuff.

And, yes, I got that you think Slovakia is a better team than Latvia. On what is that based on exactly? How many Latvian players can you name?

 

[xyzed]

I think Slovakia will go to QF and at that stage everything is possible even though their team might be younger than previous years. In the other group are teams that could be beaten in QF.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

So you're using statistics as the basis of your argument if it fits your preconceived opinion, but you're discarding stats entirely if they go against what you believe in. Great stuff.

And, yes, I got that you think Slovakia is a better team than Latvia. On what is that based on exactly? How many Latvian players can you name?

You are putting words in my mouth.

I'd rather not use stats. I'd rather use games I've watched, I think thats more reliable. In the case of the WJC's, I watched those games, and I think I have a pretty good read on what happened. In this case with NCAA games, I haven't watched any games yet this season. I'm going to try to watch the one I linked when I have time, but I have read reports from people who have watched games. You are putting together such a hard and fast rule that you want me to abide by. I'm not an NHL scout. I watch games that I can, read what I can and incorporate stats. As a hockey fan, that should be enough to have an opinion.

Do I know that much about the Latvia players? No, I've heard of a few of them and researched the rest. Given what I know, I don't believe Latvia is as good as Slovakia. Could Latvia advance instead of Slovakia? Yes, I didn't say they couldn't. You seem to be trying to argue with anyone who is saying Slovakia will win.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

I'm interested to see how the team will do this year. It seems there is some pretty good talent but those players might be a tad too young for this stage.

Anything can happen. As always we have a key game, this year vs. Latvia.