Attacker Adam Sýkora was chosen from the 63rd place in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft by the New York Rangers club Source: Twitter/New York Rangers
BRATISLAVA – It was almost exactly a year ago when Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes mentioned the name Juraj Slafkovský in Montreal. A few minutes later, the New Jersey organization chose Šimon Nemec, and the fairy tale of Slovak hockey was born.
The historic draft in 2022 rewrote the charts of overseas hockey, and the two Slovaks in the first two places caused quite a stir. However, the year passed like water and the draft for the best league in the world is approaching again. In just a few hours we will get to know the new ranking of talented hopefuls and the Slovaks should score points again.
By choosing to the NHL a year ago, or three, young guns Samuel Kňažko, Adam Sýkora and Martin Chromiak also passed. We caught up with this trio last week at the Empire Media Tennis Cup exhibition tournament.
Adam Sýkora was the highest chosen of the aforementioned trio, who finished in 63rd place in last year’s draft and went to the “riders” in New York. In 2020, Columbus chose defender Samuel Kňažek from 78th place, and forward Martin Chromiak went from 128th place to Los Angeles in the same year.
In the following lines, you can read their reactions to this year’s draft. They discussed the Slovaks’ chances, but also whether they would welcome teammates from the Tatras in the teams.
How do you see the Slovaks’ chances at this year’s draft?
Samuel Kňažko: It will be a big draft again. Above all, for our players to be chosen by the team first, because in that case you know that they count on you and want you to be stars in that team.
Adam Sýkora: I think this draft can be even better than last year’s. We may not have players as high, but there will probably be more. I am very much looking forward to it and I believe that there will be as many of them as possible.
Martin Chromiak: Of course, I follow the younger teammates who are heading for the draft, but I am not in contact with them because they are younger. However, I have my fingers crossed for all of them and I believe that as many of them as possible will be drafted.
Last year’s selection was dominated by Juraj Slafkovský, who was also chosen as the overall unit of the draft. Who do you think will be the Slovak draft unit this year?
Samuel Kňažko: I would like to say Samo Honzek, because he is from Trenčín, but I think it will be Dalibor Dvorský. The two of them should not miss the first round, and whether it will be the twentieth place or the fifth, it probably doesn’t matter.
Adam Sýkora: The team from Slovakia will be Dalibor Dvorský, but, of course, it can also be Samo Honzek, who had a very good last season. I will very excitedly wait and keep my fingers crossed for them both.
Photo gallery (3) Adam Sýkora during training in Rangers jersey Source: Twitter/New York Rangers
Living overseas is made much easier by natives with whom you can be in contact every day. Would you like a Slovak teammate in your club?
Samuel Kňažko: I don’t know exactly what Columbus’ picks are. I know we have a top 3, so it will be one of the favorites. But if we had a choice in some fifth round and it would be a Slovak or a Czech, I would be happy.
Adam Sýkora: I would definitely like a Slovak teammate. Jaroslav Halák and Czech Filip Chytil helped me a lot during my first stay abroad. They took me in and supported me. I believe that some name will fall in there and it would be great for me, but also for the other person, that there would be at least two of us there.
Photo gallery (3) Samuel Kňažko during the first game in the NHL Source: SITA/AP/Jay LaPrete
For a young hockey player, the draft is a big event. How do you remember your choice?
Adam Sýkora: I wish everyone such an experience. As we were sitting there, it was a bit stressful, you don’t know which team will choose you and when it will be… However, later it fell off me.
However, the draft itself does not mean much, it is only the beginning of the journey. Then it depends on us, how we deal with it and what we put into it.
Author: © Zoznam/Martin Turčin Source: Sports shoes
2023-06-28 03:50:05
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