Game played on 11/4/2024.
Lukas Kachlir (D, R, 5’8″, 150, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 09/05/2009)
Grade: C+
Comments: Lukas Is a smaller smooth skating, puck moving defender. He moves very well with the puck and uses deceptive agility skating to create time and space to make a play. Lukas scores the second goal of the game, he gets the puck on the blue line and explodes into open space with efficient skating and gets a good shot through traffic that goes in. He plays the quarterback position on the powerplay well, he uses his skating and passing ability for good breakouts and he moves the blue line well, distributing the puck quickly. With 11 minutes left in the third you can see Lukas using his skating and passing ability to create zone entrees on the power play. One thing Lukas needs to work on to develop his game is his body positioning in the defensive zone. It happens multiple times throughout the game, one example is with 5 min remaining in the first. The puck gets stalled along the wall, a puck battle ensues and Lukas in his haste ends up being pinned on the wrong side of the puck. Being a smaller defender it is vital that Lukas stays on the right side of the puck or at the very least comes up with the puck and makes a play to remove the pressure.
Jakub Vanecek (D, L, 6’0″, 185, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 02/25/2008)
Grade: A-
Comments: Jakub is a strong defender the thing I like the most about his defensive game is how difficult he is to play against, he uses good gap control along with a good stick to take time and space away from forwards. His defensive prowess is on display at the 15 min of the first period. The shift encapsulates what I really like about Jakub’s game. First he stops two on coming forwards, the first with good gap control and physicality and the second with a very good stick. The puck recylces and he stays on the man using his stick again to disrupt the player. He then sees an opportunity to jump in the rush but thinks better of it as the play isn’t made. Jakub then stops two attempted breakouts with well timed pinches and again a very good stick, when the puck recycles into the neutral zone he makes and quick hard pass to the open winger. Jakub is very good with his body, he uses it to box out players in front of the net or shield the puck both when he has it or when he’s moving towards it. He is also not afraid to play physically and hit guys. A great example of this is his shift with 10 min left in the second, he boxes out the forechecker then uses good edges to start a breakout. The play continues into the offensive zone and as it exit he takes a great angle and gets a good hit off near the blueline. At the 16 min mark of the third Jakub displays the offensive side of his game. His offensive game is understated but effective, he gets the puck off the face off, he puts the puck in a great spot behind the net for his forwards to make a play. The puck gets recycled and off the zone entry he sees an opportunity, gets a pass and uses some really nice edges to easily beat his man and beats the goalie with a pull and drag shot off the post. He handles the puck with poise and makes the simple but effective play, he allows the game to come to him. For his game to go to the next level I believe he should continue to get more powerful, he is not the tallest defender so more power in his stride and with his physicality will only make him harder to play against.
Simon Katolicky (RW, L, 6’4″, 190, Tappara U20, 06/24/2008)
Grade: B+
Comments: Simon is a big forward with good sense with the puck, he shows poise with his puck handling and decision making. He scores the first goal of the game off a turnover, he stays onside than finds a soft area for his teammate to make a nice pass. He has a breakaway from the hashmarks in and shows poise and a sense for scoring by not rushing a shot and making a nice move backhand for the goal. Simon uses his body very well, he skates well for a bigger guy but what really impresses me is his use and understanding of his body. He gets an assist on the second goal where he shows off puck protection, poise and vision. The puck exits the zone and Simon cuts hard across, he’s played in on a partial break from a very nice pass, he protects the puck and takes it to the net well. The puck recycles to him at the blue line and he shows his hands off to keep it in, he then does a very good job of using his body to suck the winger towards him, he waits till the winger is close than slides the puck to his defence man. He buys his teammate enough time for him to walk the line and put a good shot with traffic for the second goal of the game. My favourite element of Simon’s game is his belief in himself and his willingness to make plays. He skates the puck very well and constantly puts himself into positions to get the puck with speed through the neutral, he is not afraid to take guys on 1 on 1 and he wants to make plays. He does not reside himself to being stationary in the right spot, he actively goes out and gets the puck to try and make plays. This is evident in the first and late in the third when his team is down. For Simon to take his game to the net level I believe he needs to develop his shot. He is a big guy with a long stick so his shot will be heavy if he can develop his release adding some speed and deception he can be a dangerous shooting threat on the powerplay and off the rush.