| Marek Hejduk | Harvard | NCAA | R | RW | 6’0″ | 187 | Harvard | 2022 | Parker, CO | 2004 | 2022-2023: Free Agent 2021-2022: C+ |
NCAA: Harvard vs Cornell, January 28, 2023: Hejduk totaled 9:54 in ice time including 1:05 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He was -1 on the night on a play that originated on a Harvard line rush when his linemate lost an edge deep in the offensive zone. Hejduk was the high man or F3 and rather than backing off to buy time for his linemates to get back he got trapped along the right mid-wall going the wrong way. We loved his hustle on the backcheck, but as we noted earlier in the season his stick was parallel to the ice which allowed him to over skate a loose puck in his defensive grey area and expose a passing lane. Watching the game you could make the argument that he had little to do with the goal as it came on a high tip, but in our mind the play could have been shut down if Hejduk had read the play better as the F3 in the offensive zone. He finished -1 with 0 points, 0 shots, 0 hits, 1 giveaway, 2 takeaways and he won 40% of his 10 puck battles.
NCAA: Harvard vs Princeton, October 29, 2022: Hejduk totaled 12:27 in ice time including 1:27 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. As a penalty killer it was obvious that he was thinking about his assignments and at times looked a bit robotic. We did not like how he got himself trapped along the wall in the defensive zone or how he carried his stick parallel to the ice rather than keeping his stick on the ice to take away potential passing lanes. During 5on5 play he did have two grade “A” opportunities with the first coming off an offensive zone face-off where he started on the left wall side hashmarks and rolled across the top of the circle to unleash a shoulder height snapshot that hit the goalie in the collarbone. His second grade “A” came on a line rush where he found the quiet area between the hashmarks and ripped a one-timer that the goalie made a beautiful kick save on. He also had another opportunity blocked in the high slot by the Princeton defender’s deceptive poke check. He finished even with 0 points, 2 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 0 hits, had 1 shot blocked, 1 giveaway, 2 takeaways and he won 50% of his 8 puck battles.
Neutral Zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why a draft pick, he has the two-way dependability and awareness that professional coaches demand. He understands body positioning which allows him to rarely be caught on the wrong side of the puck. Why not a draft pick, over his two years with the USNTDP he has won 41.5% of his puck battles. He had a better offensive season in 2020/21 than he did in 2021/22.
U18: Team USA vs Team Sweden, November 10, 2021: In Team USA’s 5-2 win Hejduk earned 13:52 in total ice time, including a game high among forwards 3:20 while shorthanded. He did not participate in the power play. Statistically he finished with 1 goal, was +1, had 2 shots on goal, 2 grade “A” scoring chances and had 3 giveaways versus 3 takeaways. In a high paced fairly wide open game Hejduk was constantly around the puck and showed pace as a puck carrier. On a play early in the 1st period he picked up the puck in his zone at the tops of the circle and showed separational speed as he pulled away from Sweden’s backchecking forward as he gained the offensive zone. Although he might not have been flashy, Hejduk played an impactful two-way high compete game that coaches love.
U18: NTDP vs Cornell, October 23, 2021: In the 4-2 loss to Cornell Hejduk earned 13:51 in total ice time, including a game high among forwards 6:09 while shorthanded. He did not participate in the power play. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 1 shot on goal, 1 minor hooking penalty, went 1 for 2 on face-offs and 4 giveaways versus 1 takeaway. Hejduk had lots of work on the night on the PK and seemed to be one of the first forwards out to kill the penalties. He showcased his speed as well as his ability to separate himself from opponents in breaking the puck out. Hejduk made a very good play late on the PK with 5 minutes left in game, he aggressively created a turnover in the offensive slot and as soon as he gained possession he drilled a slapshot past goalie over the right pad, which would have been a go-ahead goal. The only problem was he ended up getting called for hooking penalty and team went down 5v3.
USHL: USNTDP vs Sioux City Musketeers, September 25, 2021: In Team USA’s 4-2 win Hejduk earned 13:49 in total ice time, including 0:47 while on the power play and 2:51 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with zero points, an even plus / minus, 4 shots on goal, 1 grade “A” scoring chance, 1 hit, 1 blocked shot and 5 giveaways versus 5 takeaways. Hejduk looked noticeably more explosive than last Spring. We feel he’s always displayed good hockey sense and awareness away from the puck, but his feet looked quicker and his cross-under was far more efficient than we remember.
U18 World Championships: Team USA vs Team Russia, April 27, 2021: In Team USA’s 7-6 loss to Russia Hejduk earned 8:45 in total ice time. He did not factor into the special team’s game. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 1 hit and 0 giveaways or takeaways. He played primarily right wing in this one. As a puck carrier he showed good awareness in both the neutral zone and offensive zone while cycling. We liked how he judged the Russian defender’s gaps to either drive wide when he had space or use a soft strong side chip to establish a forecheck. Although he did not receive an assist, Hejduk’s decision to decision to drive the Russian defender deep after defensive grey area turnover led to Team USA’s offensive zone time that led to Ryan Chesley’s first period goal.
USHL: USNTDP vs Dubuque Fighting Saints, March 26, 2021: IN the 10-2 loss to Dubuque Hejduk earned 13:09 in total ice time, including 1:58 while on the power play and 0:33 while shorthanded. Statistically he had 1 assist, was -1, 4 shots on goal (1PP), 3 grade “A” scoring chances (1PP deflection), 1 blocked shot and 2 giveaways versus 3 takeaways. The right shot forward played left wing. Defensively he showed good awareness in zone as a both the strong or weakside winger. We liked how his head was on a swivel while his heals face the opposite corner. His stick was active. In offensive neutral zone situations Hejduk worked away from the puck showing when to push the pace to create space for his linemates or when to delay for better passing angles. We liked his unpredictability and creativity on line rushes as he recognized when to scissor, middle drive or delay. On the power play Hejduk was the net front presence who would slide to be the goal line option when needed. He willingly took the goalie’s eyes away and showed good hand eye coordination getting his stick on point shots. The game was a blow out and there was limited energy after the first period.
U15: USHL Showcase, October 25, 2019: Marek wants the puck on his stick and doesn’t hesitate to shoot at any opportunity. He is a skilled, fleet footed winger that plays a direct game up-and-down the wing. He can make defenders miss in space and has a slick set of hands which lets him make plays in tight spaces. He has a big shot and is most effective on the half-wall during the Power Play. He hits the one timer easily and scored a few goals on the Power Play during our viewings. He anticipates well and hits lanes quickly and with conviction. Good in transition and will either drive the puck to the net or buy space and find an open teammate. Grade: B+
U15 Tier 1 Showcase, Lewis Center Ohio, October 8, 2019: Hejduk was the player of the weekend and it was not even close. He is absolute game breaker and is just electric any time he is on the ice, with or without the puck. Supremely skilled with the puck in all facets. High end speed with equal athleticism and edge ability. Aside from his talent, no one on the ice works harder. His offensive efforts are equaled defensively and he brings an unexpected physical edge and agitation to his game for someone so highly skilled and able to generate offensively. Very physically strong. One of the better 2004-born players anyone will see this season. Grade: A
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: Hejduk proved to be one of the best pure skaters in the camp; he’s agile, fast, balanced and fluid. He has slick, patient, slippery hands and was able to make defenders miss in open ice. He has soft hands, can pull away from opponents instantly and savvy passing ability to set up his teammates all over the ice. What separates him from other skilled players is that he can access all of his tools at full speed and showed an elusive, creative stick with pace. He made a series of impressive moves here that few prospects would see or be able to execute. One was a flip play over the defenders head to spring his teammate for a breakaway; another was a spin move off the wall and cut to the slot where he fired a quick low snapshot in stride. He caught a hard pass on the backhand in the neutral zone, made a clean entry and snapped a cross slot pass to Pietila for a one-touch goal. He’s tricky, showed a quick stick in tight areas and was tough for defenders to get a body on with his quickness and agility. He has a rare compete level and hockey sense combination and the edges to bounce of checks and get to scoring areas with the puck. He finished with 2 assists but was a factor nearly every shift; this was the best we have seen him. Grade: A-
U14: USA Hockey Nationals, April 30, 2019: Marek is the twin brother of T-Birds defenseman David. Marek is an excellent skater and pushed pace all week. His hands and feet are quick and he showed creativity on the rush. Marek moved well and at smart times laterally to create time and space, often firing shots through screens. He pushed bad gaps on opposing defenses and processed his options with the puck quickly. He also moved well without possession and scored a goal at the crease from Zukosky by doing so. Marek played fast, showed he could break down/dangle defenders or use his speed to beat them wide. His edges are superb and he has a ton of upside. Fun to watch and should just keep getting better.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
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