Jan Mysak during the ice hockey quarter final game in The IIHF U18 World Championship between Sweden and The Czech Republic
Photo: Jonas Forsberg / BILDBYRÅN
The Czech Republic is one of six teams that has never been relegated from the top division of the World Junior Championships. It is also one of six to ever win the championship, taking back-to-back gold medals in 2000 and 2001. Since claiming bronze back in 2005, the Czechs have not medalled, and had to wait 13 years before returning to the final four in 2018. However, the team took a step back in 2019, finishing seventh. Expectations will be to do better than that on home ice this time around.
Despite being led by Martin Necas and Martin Kaut, last year’s Czech team struggled offensively. The team relied heavily on the goaltending of Lukas Dostal to finish third in their group and keep its quarter-final game against the USA close. This year’s Czech team has six returning players and, fortunately for them, Dostal is one of them. Other returnees include forwards Jan Jenik, Jakub Lauko, Matej Pekar, Karel Plasek and Jachym Kondelik.
Among first timers, defenceman Hugo Has and forwards Matej Blumel and Michal Teply have already been drafted on this team that contains an interesting mix of players based in both North America and Europe. Among players undrafted but on scouts’ radars will be defenceman Simon Kubicek, who will turn 18 just days before the start of the tournament, centre Jaromir Pytlik and winger Jan Mysak, the only 2002-born player on the team. With the exception of Blumel, all of those players are eligible to return for the 2021 World Juniors.
Playing in front of their home fans, expectations will be high on this Czech team, but a very tough group means even returning to the quarterfinals is not a guarantee. In addition to powerhouses Russia, USA and Canada, the Czechs will also have an up-and-coming, talent-laden German squad to contend with.
Jan Jenik, C
No question, Jenik will be a pivotal player for the Czech Republic at this event, perhaps even their most pivotal. The Arizona Coyotes prospect is having a fantastic season in the OHL where he is among the league leaders in scoring and just had a 26-game point streak come to an end. Although he has played center this year, it remains to be seen whether he will play center or the wing for the Czechs, as he can struggle in the faceoff circle. However, Jenik has many other strengths. He is an ultra-aggressive player who excels with and without the puck, as he is always on the attack, using his speed to drive the middle of the ice and to open up lanes. If he gets stripped of the puck, he will fight to get it back, willing to make or take a hit to make a play. Jenik also possesses a high skill level with the puck that allows him to be a creative playmaker, something that has made him the perfect linemate for sniper Arthur Kaliyev in Hamilton. Expectations have to be high for Jenik on home ice as he looks to help his team medal.
Jaromir Pytlik, C/RW
Making his debut for the Czech Republic at the U20s, Pytlik will be counted upon to be a go-to offensive player for this team. First time draft eligible in 2020 because of a late September birthday, Pytlik has had a strong second season in the OHL for Sault Ste. Marie where he is being counted upon to be a leader for a younger Greyhounds team. He has played both center and wing this year, but does seem more comfortable on the wing. Pytlik, does the majority of his damage down low, below the hash marks. He is great at using his size to protect the puck and prolongs time of possession in the cycle. He will spin off checks and looks to be aggressive in taking the puck to the net. Pytlik also excels tight to the crease where he can use his good hands to finish off scoring chances. His skating continues to improve, as does his confidence in carrying the puck in transition. A strong performance for the Czechs at the U20s would go a long way in helping him secure a spot in the first round of this year’s draft.
Matej Pekar, LW
Cut from the same cloth as Jan Jenik in some regards, Pekar is also an extremely aggressive, abrasive energy forward. He may not have the elite skill level that Jenik possesses, but he is equally effective as a high intensity puck retriever in all three zones. Pekar excels as a forechecker who has strong closing speed and a great stick to disrupt defenders into committing turnovers. This makes him an elite penalty killer. Pekar also possesses good hands and a quality shot release, although he is more of a finisher who requires a quality playmaker to aid him. The Buffalo Sabres prospect will be playing in his second straight U20’s for the Czech Republic and will be looking to make more of an impact than he did last year when he went pointless over five games. One thing to keep an eye on is whether he can stay out of the penalty box, as he can be undisciplined at times with the Barrie Colts in the OHL.
Jan Mysak, LW
This past summer, 17-year-old Mysak had a choice of whether to go play junior hockey in North America or pro hockey in his hometown of Litvinov. Promised a chance to get some real ice time in the pros by GM Jiri Slegr, he chose the latter. Getting mostly third-line minutes at either centre or left wing on a weak team, he’s managed to put up nine points in 26 games, which leads all junior-aged players in the Extraliga. More of a goal-scorer than a playmaker, Mysak has the ability to find open space and release a shot quickly, which is obviously more difficult in the pros. In the Czechs’ first pre-tournament game against a second-division Czech club, Mysak led the way with two goals.
Matej Blumel, RW
Following a point-per-game season with the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks, the Edmonton Oilers made Blumel their fourth-round pick last summer. This season, the 19-year-old is back in the Czech Republic and playing pro hockey with Dynamo Pardubice. Although his offensive numbers (2 goals, 1 assist in 18 games) haven’t been impressive, Blumel doesn’t look out of place with his size and speed and hasn’t shied away from the dirty areas. He hasn’t played since an injury on December 1st but did eventually join the Czech camp. The Czechs won’t be looking to Blumel for primary scoring, but his speed, size and grit will be valuable against elite teams, especially if the going gets physical. He might chip in with some points as well
Michal Teply
Michal Teply has stepped in as a rookie on what has been a historical bad team and given them some offensive pop at the top of their lineup. He is a very good play maker who excels with the puck on his stick. He has good one on one skills that impress but he needs to do it with a bit more pace. On the smaller rinks in North America he can get caught over handling the puck a bit. He has good size and frame that enable him to protect the puck well along the wall which is where he is very effective, especially making passes into the slot. When he has space his shot is hard and accurate however the mechanics of his large frame sometimes lead to a slow release. This year he is tied for the team lead in goals and 2nd in overall points. For the Czechs he will be a top forward that engages physically and will create a lot of their offense.
