Matyas Marik (G, L, 6’2″, 181, Motor Ceske Budejovice U20, 09/11/2006)
Tournament Grade: C
Marik is a slightly below average sized left catching goalie. Although he has very good numbers back home in Czechia playing for Motor Ceske Budejovice U20 he struggled during the Five Nations giving up 11 goals in just 53:24 of game time which equates to a 12.36 GAA and a 0.607 SVP.
In terms of the NHL Marik is a slightly below average sized goalie who seems to have difficulty tracking shots to the top third of the net while trying to fight through net front traffic and we know that in North American professional hockey there a goalie has to deal with more flash screens and net front traffic in general.
Bretislav Vystrcil (G, L, 5’11”, 154, Mora IK J20, 10/12/2006)
Tournament Grade: B
Vystrcil is an undersized under-aged left catching goalie with high end game processing and puck anticipation. Positionally he stood tall at the top of his crease forcing the puck carrier to make the first move. Pucks shot to his glove stayed in his glove and he directed shots to his blocker into the corner. As would be expected he had to stand very tall to see through and around net front traffic which made his legs straighten and in turn slowed his reaction time but when he had clear lanes he was going to make the save.
Standing under 6’0″ it is going to be very difficult for Vystrcil to play professionally in North America. As a late 2006 he may still be growing so we will keep track of him for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Radim Mrtka (D, R, 6’4″, 183, HC Ocelari Trinec U20, 06/09/2007)
Tournament Grade: A-
As soon as he stepped on the ice for warm-ups Mrtka was instantly noticeable as he looks to be closer to 6’6″ rather than his listed 6’4″ and as soon as the games began he was a player that earned more attention. Defensively he worked to set his gap early and showed the surfing ability to stay within a stick’s length of the fastest forwards. In the defensive zone he used a powerful inside edge leg drive to clear shooting lanes even after the the opposing forward got to the net front before he did. In the defensive corners Mrtka showed surprising quickness and looked to separate the opposing forward from the puck as quickly as possible. After winning 50/50 battles he understood his job was to get the puck into his forward’s hands as quickly as possible and then join the rush as a second wave to the attack. His passes were hard and flat. Once puck possession was established in the offensive zone Mrtka activated down the wall for scissor plays or moved laterally along the blueline for one-timers and catch and release snapshots. The 2007 is a presence on the ice and is a high end NHL prospect for the 2025 draft.
After this viewing Neutral Zone has the +6’4″ right shot defenseman with an “A” 2025 NHL draft grade. Over the next 18 months he will be watch very closely.
Jan Skok (D, L, 6’0″, 192, HC Plzen U20, 10/31/2006)
Tournament Grade: B
Skok is a thickly built left shot defender who although looked a bit stiff while skating forwards showed a smooth pivot and the ability to shrink his opponent’s passing options with a quick hard heel to heel stride in any direction. Defensively when he moved on a pass he was stepping up into the pass receiver with the mentality that he was going to knock his opponent on their backside. Skok was strong through contact and enjoyed playing a tough hard abrasive style without spending time in the penalty box. Offensively Skok moved the puck quickly, yet there were times when he coolly pulled the puck back from just outside his offensive blueline so Team Czechia could maintain puck possession rather than him just hammering the puck back into the offensive zone. He seemed to relish playing defensive hockey.
Skok is a late 2006 who falls into the 2025 NHL draft. While we love his grit and grime we feel to be an NHL draft pick he will need to add some offense to his game.
Martin Svec (D, L, 5’11”, 163, HC Dynamo Pardubice U20, 10/05/2006)
Tournament Grade: B+
Svec is an undersized October 2006 left shot defenseman who looked to jump into the rush whenever possible. He showed a narrow skating base with quick fluid strides that almost push directly behind. His upright posture certainly did not hurt his speed or balance as he regularly initiated contact on the way to a loose puck and then came away with it on his stick. Defensively Svec worked to always be within a stick’s length from his man and when the puck was on his opponent’s stick he used his height to his advantage by getting under his opponent’s hands. In the defensive zone he maintained net side positioning through contact and used his quick feet to stay on the net side when a point shot was coming. Offensively he moved the puck quickly and then joined the rush whenever possible. In the offensive zone he collapsed the zone on 50/50 pucks until his teammates won the battle and then Svec quickly expanded the zone for improved passing lanes. He finished the tournament with 4 assists in 4 games but with a little puck luck he could have had a few more.
Svec is a late 2006 who falls into the 2025 NHL draft. His ability to create offense and transition are going to be very attractive to NHL teams so we feel he will be watched closely over the next year and a half.
Adam Hlinsky (D, L, 5’11”, 185, BK Mlada Boleslav U20, 05/29/2006)
Tournament Grade: B-
Hlinsky is quick agile undersized left shot defender with the game awareness to play both sides equally well. During defensive transition he worked up the ice so that he was almost hip to hip with the opposing forward when they were looking to receive a pass. He was not a banger but he did use his explosive first step to separate the man from the puck and start offensive transition. Offensively he showed confidence when the puck was on his stick and he had little trouble reverse escaping from a hard charging forechecker. We did not view him as a threat to dangle anyone in a one on one situation but there is no doubt that his feet were an asset that allowed him to create space. Physically he is still gaining strength, explosiveness and mass to his frame so there were times when he could be out muscled along the walls but his feet allowed him to quickly return to net side positioning.
As far as the 2024 NHL draft teams should be looking to see if his frame will allow him to carry more weight, add more strength while gaining quickness because his ability to transition the puck is something that NHL coaches crave.
Pavel Prusek (D, L, 5’10”, 165, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 02/06/2006)
Tournament Grade: B-
Prusek is an undersized left shot defender who played primarily the left side. He played an edgy style that got under his opponent’s skin and distracted them from doing their jobs. Defensively he used his skating skills, edge control and smooth pivot to consistently be in his man’s face even when they did not have the puck. He seemed to always be within five feet of his man so that when they received a pass or gathered a puck off the wall Prusek was there to knock them off stride. Offensively he kept things simple moving the puck quickly and accurately. When he did not have a passing lane he took his ice to the redline and once he got there he was content to get the puck deep rather than risk a turnover by trying to do too much.
NHL teams should be aware that although he played a low risk low reward styled game at the Five Nations Tournament back home when playing for Bili Tygri Liberec U20 Prusek is an offensive minded defenseman who has the game awareness to be used in all situations.
Adam Kral (D, R, 6’2″, 180, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 02/08/2006)
Tournament Grade: B-
Kral is right shot defender with an NHL frame and a willingness to go out of his way to send a message with a body check that might be a tad too late. He showed an upright knee over toe skating posture with fluid three quarter length strides that we feel will get longer as he gains core and lower body strength. Defensively he ended the cycle by pinning his man to the wall and when an opposing forward had established net front positioning Kral used a well placed cross check and leg drive to clear the lane. During defensive neutral zone transition there were too many times when he got caught outside the face-off dots or on the outside shoulder of his man which made him have to chase the play back into his end. During offensive transition his passes were on time and where his forwards wanted them. Although we do not view him as a threat to dangle someone along the offensive blueline he showed the puck skills to change his shooting angle when an opposing forward was in his face.
For the 2024 NHL draft Kral has an NHL frame and plays with the jam needed on the smaller ice sheet. Neutral Zone has him as a “C+” rated draft prospect.
Adam Benak (C, L, 5’7″, 145, HC Plzen, 04/10/2007)
Tournament Grade: A-
Benak is an undersized dynamic left shot center. Offensively he is creative elusive and gifted. On a shift by shift basis he made defenders miss in open ice and when they thought they had him contained in the corner. Benak was unpredictable on line rushes using his quick feet to change angles which forced opposing defenders to cross their feet. During offensive transition Benak always seemed to be where his teammates were looking to pass and he wanted the puck on his stick. Defensively he used his quickness to try to maintain net side positioning but there were too many times where he got pushed out of his ice. We know he’s a 2007 and in all likely hood is still growing but his lack of size is something that could push him to the wing in North American professional hockey. No matter what he is a high end offensively gifted scoring prospect who will be watched very closely over the next 18 months.
Benak will not be able to hide during his draft year with NHL teams looking to see how adds strength and if he will be able to handle low coverage in the National League.
Danny Chludil (RW, L, 5’11”, 180, HC Kometa Brno U20, 06/19/2006)
Tournament Grade: C+
Chludil is below average sized left shot forward who played primarily right wing. He showed a shoulder width skating posture with long strides that moved in a circular motion. Although he finished with zero goals he was able to get lost in his opponent’s defensive zone coverage so that he was open for clean shooting opportunities and one-timers. He showed good first touch and a quick smooth release on passes that were not perfect. Defensively Chludil worked on the backcheck but there times in defensive zone coverage that he drifted out of position and was puck watching.
Although he played mostly third line at the Five Nations Tournament Neutral Zone has Chudil rated with a “C+” for the 2024 NHL draft because back home playing for HC Kometa Brno U20 he is fourth on the team in goals behind three 2004 birth year forwards.
Simon Pohludka (LW, L, 6’1″, 178, Pelicans U20, 02/10/2006)
Tournament Grade: C+
Pohludka is a long lean left shot forward who played primarily left wing. He showed a powerful knee over toe skating base with long strides that finished with a toe push. We feel his skating posture will allow him to gain speed and quickness as he gains strength and carries more weight. Offensively he showed good puck possession skills along the walls by using his hips to shield the puck and when he felt a defender get their shoulder in front of his Pohludka would spin back into the open ice. While his teammates were cycling Pohludka found the quiet area in the high slot looking to be a shooting option. On 50/50 pucks along the walls we found that he got his heels to wall far too often but we think this is a correctable bad habit.
Neutral Zone has Pohludka rated with a “B-” 2024 NHL draft grade as we feel his size, skating posture and goal scoring back home are trademarks for potential success out of a late round pick.
Martin Vaculik (RW, R, 6’0″, 176, Berani Zlin U20, 10/20/2006)
Tournament Grade: C+
Vaculik is a late 2006 high energy high paced right shot forward who primarily played fourth line right wing. He showed a deep knee’d skating posture with quick fluid three quarter length strides that returned on it’s flat edge. He has legitimate pace and we feel his knee bend will allow him to gain speed as he gains strength. Offensively we would like to see him use a change of pace as we found it too predictable that he was going to go full speed wherever he was going. Defensively he used his speed to be an efficient backchecker who’s unrelenting back pressure pace forced dump-ins and hurried decisions.
Vaculik is a late September so he falls into the 2025 NHL draft. NHL teams should know that although he played fourth line at the Five Nations Tournament he is third on his team in scoring back home playing for Berani Zlin U2) with 18 goals and 44 points in 46 games. His offense and pace will make him a player to watch for next year’s draft.
Adam Novotny (C, L, 6’1″, 181, Mountfield HK, 11/13/2007)
Tournament Grade: A
Novotny is double under-ager who played top line minutes, top power play unit and killed penalties all while finishing with 4 goals and 2 assists in 4 games. The November 2007 is a left shot left wing who we could make an easy argument for as the best NHL prospect in the event. He showed a deep knee over toe skating posture with long powerful strides all while keeping his hips low and his chest high. Offensively used his body to protect the puck, extending possession while his eyes were up looking to make the next play. We liked his willingness to battle for his ice and the strength he showed when pushing off a defender to create space for himself. Novotny showed a quick stick on rebounds and an expanded shooting area so when the puck was within his stick’s length he has the skills and strength to put a quality scoring chance on the net.
NHL draft wise Novotny is a high end prospect with the possibility to be an impact goal scorer in the National League. There is simply no other way to put it other than he is a very exciting prospect.
Stepan Hoch (C, L, 171, HC Motor Ceske Budejovice, 10/11/2006)
Hoch is long lanky left shot forward who primarily played on the fourth line. The late 2006 is listed at 6’3″ but he looks longer than that and he uses a longer stick so it seemed like he was able to get his stick on everything. He showed an upright skating posture with long strides that ended with a toe snap and although still gaining strength we liked the explosiveness he had coming out of hard stops. Hoch has a long sweeping release that generates an absolute heater. For him to be more a more dangerous offensive weapon he will need to learn how to generate downward force into the shaft of his stick for a quicker release.
As a late 2006 he is eligible in next year’s draft and we feel with his size and skating ability Hoch will be a player to watch closely in his draft season.
Marek Danicek (C, L, 5’11”, 166, HC Sparta Praha U20, 09/05/2006)
Tournament Grade: B-
Danicek is a high end game processing left shot center with an “A-frame” skating base and a forward leaning skating posture. Although his skating posture impacted his glide and therefore slowed his straight line speed, he did play every situation on the balls of his feet and was very quick during 5′ to 10′ races to loose pucks or open ice. He showed a good first touch on both his forehand and backhand with little trouble pulling pucks off the wall. Off the puck in the offensive zone Danicek anticipated passing lanes, timing his route so he would be open the instant the lane was there for a scoring opportunity. The puck never seemed to surprise him as he played with a prepared stick and an expanded one-timer shooting area. Although he is still quite light he maintained net side positioning throughout wall battles by using his inside edges to push into his opponent forcing them off stride.
As a September 5th birthday he is ten days away from being eligible for the 2025 NHL draft so in Neutral Zone’s mind NHL organizations should be paying attention to his hockey IQ and how quickly he processes unpredictable broken plays. Neutral Zone currently has Danicek rated with a “B-” for the 2024 draft and we feel that his brain and processing make him an ideal later round selection who you don’t see for five years but when he does arrive you have a player ready to compete for a roster spot.
Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’0″, 174, Pelicans U20, 04/30/2007)
Tournament Grade: B
Poletin is a left shot 2007 birth year who played top line right wing minutes for Team Czechia. He showed a knee over toe skating base while keeping his chest high so his hands were consistently free and clear from his body. From his defensive blueline to below the goal line in the offensive zone he was an absolute hound on the puck. As the F1 he was disruptive keeping his stick in passing lanes and then skating through his opponent after they made the pass. As the F2 or F3 he anticipated the next play and showed the quickness to jump the pass or arrive at the same time as the puck with a stick on puck / body on body arrival. On zone entries we liked that Poletin looked to attack the middle as much as possible but after gaining the offensive zone there were times when it looked like he made his mind up that he was going to make a play or a one on one move no matter what the opposing defenders were doing to stop it. So in these instances we will be watching for him to process offensive zone possession with more free thinking in the future. We know it’s great to have a plan but it’s better to be able to quickly think on your feet.
Neutral Zone currently has him rated with an “A-” for the 2025 draft. In North American professional hockey we view him as a shooter. NHL teams should be watching for his ability to quickly change his mind when the puck is on his stick and to not just go with his first idea or plan no matter what the coverage is doing. This is honestly nit-picking a top half of the first round or the bottom half because we think he has a very bright future.
Richard Zemlicka (C, L, 6’3″, 185, SaiPa U20, 04/04/2006)
Tournament Grade: C+
Zemlicka is a 6’3″ long rangy left shot forward with fluid three quarter length strides and a return leg that lands on it’s flat edge. He showed an upright skating posture that we feel will drop his hips as he gains core and lower body strength. Physically there were times when it looked like every thing had come together and he looked fully coordinated but there were other times when it was obvious that he was still growing into his body and getting used to be 6’3″. Interestingly Zemlicka had very little trouble winning wall battles and loose pucks from the bigger players in the tournament but the smaller opponents were able to get under his hands or leverage points giving him fits. Again we feel this won’t be an issue as he gains core and lower body strength which will allow him to lower his center of gravity. While cycling Zemlicka used his body to protect the puck and showed the body control and puck skills to keep his eyes up while an opponent was hanging on his back.
NHL teams should know that although we feel he is still growing into his frame, Zemlicka has played at a point per game pace in age appropriate hockey and he is definitely worth tracking over the rest of the season because he has the frame to be a power forward in North America.
Daniel Pekar (C, L, 5’11”, 165, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 04/15/2006)
Pekar is an undersized left shot forward who played both center and wing. He is quick, showed four-way mobility and had the ability to squeeze his way through tight situations. Although still light we liked his willingness to draw an opponent to him absorbing contact so he could pass into the open ice to a teammate with more time and space. On 50/50 pucks he was more than willing to engage showing grit grime and hack’n whack but at this point he is still light and was able to be pushed off the puck or had his stride broken on the way into the battle.
At this point Neutral Zone has Pekar rated with a “C” 2024 NHL draft grade as he plays with passion and in age appropriate hockey he put up 48 points in 30 games. This tells us that physically he needs more time to develop but that he has the brain, compete and puck skills to be impactful when his body catches up to his mind.
Petr Sikora (C, L, 5’11”, 172, HC Ocelari Trinec, 01/02/2006)
Tournament Grade: B+
Sikora is an undersized left shot forward who played top six minutes and was used in all game situations. He showed a shoulder width deep knee’d skating posture with long fluid strides that finished with a toe snap and ended with recovery on its flat edge. He used his outside edge to generate speed while crossing under and to get an extra pop out of power turns and hockey stops. Defensively he played with his head on a swivel and kept his stick on the ice taking away passing lanes. He understood his obligation to his unit’s structure and did not run out of position trying to do someone else’s job. Although still physically light he was strong on the puck using his shoulder width base to lower his hips which allowed him to stay under his opponent’s point of leverage. When he felt his opponent was over his back Sikora would spin off the contact and use his outside edge to explode into the open ice behind him. When the puck was on his stick he handled it in a triple threat position which kept the defenders guessing which way he was going or if he was going to pass it or keep possession himself. Sikora’s passes were on the money and arrived where his teammates could make the next play. We liked how after he moved the puck he sprinted into the open ice to be a pass receiving option. He finished the tournament with 1 goal and 1 assist but to us he was constantly around the puck / play and his point totals did not accurately reflect his impact on the games.
Neutral Zone currently has Sikora rated as a “B” for the 2024 draft. Right now he is undersized and still light we feel he has the game processing to play at high levels with skilled players and the skating base that will allow him to gain more speed and explosiveness as he trains and matures.
Adam Klimek (RW, L, 5’7″, 139, Berani Zlin U20, 06/01/2006)
Tournament Grade: C+
Klimek is a smaller speedy left shot forward who took shifts on both wings. Offensively he looked to use his agility and high end speed to beat players one on one and when he realized that he could not shake and bake around the defender he would escape to the walls looking for the second wave of the line rush. Defensively Klimek used his speed to take away time and space. He looked to jump passing lanes whenever possible.
At this point Neutral Zone does not have a 2024 draft grade assigned to Klimek.
Oskar Lisler (C, R, 6’1″, 196, Linkoping J20, 06/06/2006)
Tournament Grade: B
Lisler is listed at 6’1″ but his chest high skating posture makes it look like he is taller than that. At this point he showed a narrow skating base with quick fluid strides but like we said he is still quite upright so when he gains strength and lowers his hips we feel he will be dramatically faster and stronger. With that said Lisler used his body very well to protect the puck and showed very strong hands when popping sticks to win 50/50 pucks or when pulling pucks off the wall. When cycling we liked how he backed into opponents to initiate contact knocking them off balance. It looked like Lisler used a shorter stick which allowed him to keep control of pucks in closer to his feet but we also think this limited his ability to use his length to his advantage. During both offensive and defensive situations Lisler took extended looks over both shoulders so he was well prepared for the defensive posture or offensive routes his opponents were running.
Neutral Zone currently has Lisler with a “C+” 2024 draft grade. We like a lot about his game, his ice scanning and his overall processing but we need to see him bend his knees and widen his skating base to lower his center of gravity so he can play a power forward’s game in North America. With off season strength training and stronger lower half Lisler could be a late round draft pick who plays games.
Marek Chaloupka (D, L, 6’1″, 188, HC Vitkovice U20, 02/06/2006)
Tournament Grade: B-
Chaloupka is a smooth skating offensive minded left shot defender who played both sides depending on the situation. He played with a confident easy smooth pivot and the combination of edge control and strength to cut the net closely while a forechecker was on his back. He showed poise with the puck as well as no panic when it looked like he was about to be run over. He handled bouncing pucks with his eyes up and little effort. His passes were hard and his sauce passes landed flat. During offensive transition he he opened passing lanes by taking an extended look to his winger and as soon as his opponent moved their stick Chaloupka would fire a tape to tape rocket to his center option. In the offensive zone he was in constant motion looking to activate into a mid-wall scissor play or roll to the middle for a better shooting / passing lane. When he activated down the back door he showed the foot work to breakdown his skating so he could one-time any kind of pass or smoothly catch and release the shot without stickhandling. Defensively he used his footwork and agility to maintain net side positioning throughout wall battles and he showed surprising strength when clearing shooting lanes after his opponent had already established their ice. Unfortunately for him as an offensive minded defenseman he finished the Five Nations Tournament with zero points or his tournament grade would have much higher because we feel he positively impacted every game.
Neutral Zone currently has Chaloupka rated as “B” for the 2024 NHL draft but with is ability to make plays under pressure and create transition he is a player we will b paying close attention to at the U18 World Championships.
Simon Vedral (G, R, 6’1″, 157, HC Sparta Praha U20, 07/04/2006)
Tournament Grade: Did not play
Vedral was the third goalie for Team Czechia. So far during the 2023/24 season he has played 29 games for HC Sparta Praha U20 with a 2.92 GAA, 0.914 SVP, with zero shutouts and a 16-13-0 record. On average he is facing 7 scoring area saves per game and has a 0.780 SVP on those high quality shots.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images