today 16:30
|
Slovak hockey defenseman Samuel Kňažko has definitely not disappointed in his first season in the overseas AHL, after 35 games in the jersey of the Cleveland Monesters team he has 17 points (1+16).
According to overseas expert Scott Wheeler from The Athletic magazine, the 20-year-old from Trenčín can one day make his mark in the NHL, even if not as a stable member of the squad. He ranked him 13th on his list of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ top 15 prospects.
“So far, he is doing well in his rookie season in the AHL. He effectively takes away space from the opponent and actively works with the stick. He defends well even when passing from or into the zone and keeps the puck on his stick when possible. He has a firm stance, good insight into the game and ” wrote Wheeler about the bronze medalist from the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Samuel Kňažek was selected by the “bluecoats” from Columbus in the 2020 NHL rookie draft from the 78th place. He made his overseas debut last season in the uniform of the junior WHL Seattle Thunderbirds team, in 27 regular season duels he collected 20 points (5+15) and in 25 playoff games he added a goal and five assists. The participant of the senior world championship in 2021 previously worked for four seasons in the junior team of the Finnish club TPS Turku, he also played in one match of the men’s Liiga.
