For years, fans of the Quebec Nordiques were able to applaud Peter Stastny, but now the Montreal Canadiens could in turn count on a star player from Slovakia.
With Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec, this small country of 5.5 million inhabitants will logically provide for the first time two players in the top 15 of a National Hockey League (NHL) draft. These athletes are definitely some of the kids to watch during the World Junior Hockey Championships.
“I’m excited to watch this tournament, I always do it from my home in St. Louis where I spend Christmas,” said Stastny, interviewed by the QMI Agency. This year is even more special, because Slovakia could go far. There are obviously the hopes Slafkovsky and Nemec, but I like the whole team. ”
“The Slovaks can beat any team, there is a lot of talent in the squad,” adds Stastny. They play to win, they are competitive and I feel a deep desire to win. ”
“Wonderful for Slovak hockey”
It is obvious that the Canadian and their supporters would first like to obtain one of the first selections in the next draft in order to select Shane Wright, Matthew Savoie or even the Finn Joakim Kemell. However, the two Slovaks would be beautiful consolations.
“I’ve heard good things about them,” comments Marian Hossa, another legend from Slovakia. I saw them play for the first time at the previous World Junior Championship and they showed great maturity. These two players have a lot of potential and they could be picked early in the next draft. It’s wonderful for Slovak hockey. We haven’t had such high hopes for some time. ”
Forward Marian Gaborik remains the only Slovak to have been selected in the top-eight in NHL Draft history. The Minnesota Wild had chosen him third overall in 2000. Hossa was called up in 12th place by the Ottawa Senators in 1997 while Stastny, it must be remembered, had not been drafted, rather having escaped from the communist bloc in spectacular fashion [avec son frère Anton] during the summer of 1980.
From one generation to the next
Slafkovsky, a forward, and Nemec, a defenseman, now have the potential to have great careers in the NHL. Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame earlier this year, Hossa doesn’t pretend to be an inspiration to young Slovaks, but he obviously wishes them all the best.
“If they liked my game, maybe they can take something away from that,” Hossa said. It would be nice, but each player has their own style. In my day, it stands to reason that Peter Stastny had a big impact on Slovak players coming to North America, but to be honest I have to admit that my own youthful idols were mostly Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. ”
“Peter Stastny remains an incredible player and it is an honor to find him in the Hall of Fame,” Hossa admits. I am privileged to be here with him and Stan Mikita, as the third player born in Slovakia. ”
For Slafkovsky and Nemec, it is inevitably premature to believe that one or the other could one day reach the Pantheon. By performing well in the Junior Championship, however, they now have the opportunity to lift Slovakia, but also the great Peter Stastny in his living room in St. Louis.
Few players from Slovakia in CH history
The Montreal Canadiens have only drafted two Slovak players over the years. In addition to Marcel Hossa, Marian’s little brother selected in the first round (16th overall) in 2000, the Montreal club had made Jozef Balej their third-round choice in that same year. However, he only played four games with the Habs.
In total, only four athletes from Slovakia have worn the CH colors in the team’s rich history, the others being Richard Zednik and, more recently, Tomas Tatar.
SLOVAKERS DRAWN IN FIRST ROUND IN NHL HISTORY
- Marian Gaborik – Minnesota Wild – 3e rank – 2000
- Robert Petrovicky – Hartford Whalers – 9e – 1992
- Branislav Mezei – New York Islanders – 10e – 1980
- Boris Valabik – Atlanta Thrashers – 10e – 2004
- Marian Hossa – Ottawa Senators – 12e – 1997
- Marcel Hossa – Montreal Canadian – 16e – 2000
- Robert Dome – Pittsburgh Penguins – 17e – 1997
- Andrej Meszaros – Ottawa Senators – 23e – 2004
- Marko Dano – Columbus Blue Jackets – 27e – 2013
- Kristian Kudroc – New York Islanders – 28e – 1999
- Vladimir Mihalik – Tampa Bay Lightning – 30e – 2005