WJC: 2025 Czech Team

[martygod12]

Wouldn’t be surprised to see
Dvorak - Jiricek
Galvas - Port
Fibigr - Rocak
Kočí

LH - RH

Perfect balance. Very confident in this.

Port and Koci sucks, it should have been Badinka and Mrtka there, Badinka is a chapter on its own sure, but leave behind Mrtka is just non acceptable.

Still it doesnt look that bad, hope Port and Koci wont do much damage in the D, they will be a dream for top tier prospects from Canada, US, Sweden etc. to play against

 

[martygod12]

I agree with most of this. I do.

I think us online fans want to see all the offensive flashy 'names' and then we build a team of 16 to 19 year olds without one guy that can win a draw or PK.lol So the coaching staff picked their horses for Offence, Defence and speical teams and are fitting these players into the skeleton they have in their playbook.

Mrtka was a clear third pair RD to me but I doubt Port or Koci do a bad job in a smaller role on third pair. I get it. They are bigger, older and are good soldiers.

I do think we could've had a stronger paper roster but I guess we'll see what happens. I do like the team.. I am excited for the tourney. All I care about is that quarter.

I dont think its some online fans dreams, its legit logical assesment of who should be on the team. You have two top prospects left behind and its just stupid. Benak showed many times, that despite his limiting size and maybe the fact the he may never be a NHL star because of it, he is just dominating his peers, cause his skill is top level. Its stupid to leave such a player behind.

Mrtka is a huge RHD who is very likely going 1st round and has big potential. We dont play him and we bring Koci and Port instead who I say will never be even full time ELH level. Those guys are completely below average even in CHL at their age. They will be lucky to play Maxa liga or 3rd league in czechia in couple years. And such players are playing at WJC instead of 1st round prospect Mrtka? Seriously?

 

[Czechboy]

I dont think its some online fans dreams, its legit logical assesment of who should be on the team. You have two top prospects left behind and its just stupid. Benak showed many times, that despite his limiting size and maybe the fact the he may never be a NHL star because of it, he is just dominating his peers, cause his skill is top level. Its stupid to leave such a player behind.

Mrtka is a huge RHD who is very likely going 1st round and has big potential. We dont play him and we bring Koci and Port instead who I say will never be even full time ELH level. Those guys are completely below average even in CHL at their age. They will be lucky to play Maxa liga or 3rd league in czechia in couple years. And such players are playing at WJC instead of 1st round prospect Mrtka? Seriously?

Port is drafted so it'll be at least 5 years till he is Maxa liga.

Mrtka and Benak are 17
Port and Koci are 19

U20 is not Benak or Mrtka's peers in 2024.

I don't disagree with you but how many D - 1 kids can they take? Cihar, Novotny, Benak and Mrtka? That's 4 guys that are 17 in a U20 tourney.

I'm not saying it's right but that is clearly being factored in.

If given the choice.. I'd had preferred Benak and Mrtka over Cihar and Novotny though. But I also wanted Perez and Curran. These coaches don't listen to me at all.lol

 

[martygod12]

Port is drafted so it'll be at least 5 years till he is Maxa liga.

Mrtka and Benak are 17
Port and Koci are 19

U20 is not Benak or Mrtka's peers in 2024.

I don't disagree with you but how many D - 1 kids can they take? Cihar, Novotny, Benak and Mrtka? That's 4 guys that are 17 in a U20 tourney.

I'm not saying it's right but that is clearly being factored in.

If given the choice.. I'd had preferred Benak and Mrtka over Cihar and Novotny though. But I also wanted Perez and Curran. These coaches don't listen to me at all.lol

I get what you mean, but if they are good enough then why not.

I mean Cihar and Novotny are both playing with men, last year were both in Czech U20. Benak plays at senior/U20 level for basically three years already, Mrtka has the size already and clearly showing now in CHL that he is more then capable playing U20 level already.

If the players are showing they are good enough already at this level, then I don't think age should be the factor here and bringing 19 yrs average at best kids over clearly top 17 yrs old prospects just because they are older is just a bad move imo.

So I would take Benak, but not over Cihar or Novotny, all three should be there, because they are more then good already for a U20 level hockey. Same goes for Mrtka

But eh we won't do anything about it now, those omissions suck, but the team except for that obvious weak spot in D looks good either way.

So nothing left then to cheer and hope we can go for third medal in a row lol

 

[Goodman68]

I get what you mean, but if they are good enough then why not.

I mean Cihar and Novotny are both playing with men, last year were both in Czech U20. Benak plays at senior/U20 level for basically three years already, Mrtka has the size already and clearly showing now in CHL that he is more then capable playing U20 level already.

If the players are showing they are good enough already at this level, then I don't think age should be the factor here and bringing 19 yrs average at best kids over clearly top 17 yrs old prospects just because they are older is just a bad move imo.

So I would take Benak, but not over Cihar or Novotny, all three should be there, because they are more then good already for a U20 level hockey. Same goes for Mrtka

But eh we won't do anything about it now, those omissions suck, but the team except for that obvious weak spot in D looks good either way.

So nothing left then to cheer and hope we can go for third medal in a row lol

Your problem is that your rating of players starts and ends
A) canadian points
B) the competition in which they play
Team cohesion, internal chemistry, defensive assignments in the team.. nothing. Sad.
And personally, I will always prefer a player who wants to play for the team, is not offended, than one who is offended and has the potential to tear the team apart from within.
Edit: Oh, and I forgot - in front of a player whose performance in the national team was average to tragic. TRAGIC

 

[martygod12]

Your problem is that your rating of players starts and ends
A) canadian points
B) the competition in which they play
Team cohesion, internal chemistry, defensive assignments in the team.. nothing. Sad.
And personally, I will always prefer a player who wants to play for the team, is not offended, than one who is offended and has the potential to tear the team apart from within.
Edit: Oh, and I forgot - in front of a player whose performance in the national team was average to tragic. TRAGIC

Man I have nothing against you personaly, but that hate od Badinka you have is completely ridiculous.

I haven't wrote a word about Badinka in this post, I was talking about Benak and Mrtka missing and yet you once again blabbing here about Badinka

 

[Goodman68]

Man I have nothing against you personaly, but that hate od Badinka you have is completely ridiculous.

I haven't wrote a word about Badinka in this post, I was talking about Benak and Mrtka missing and yet you once again blabbing here about Badinka

Dude, I've been reading the same thing on here an average of 5 times a day since the nomination and it's still the same thing. If you didn't mean Badinka as an exception, it doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to him in general.
And disparaging the nominated players as if they were complete nomads. I don't understand. Augusta has already done something, he is a successful coach, I will wait to see how we play.
And as for Mrtka, when he returned to junior team Třinec, he absolutely did not look like a difference player and Volas was much better. Just to compare the two when they were on the same team.
The nomination appeared here on December 2nd, he played his first game in the WHL two days before (where he finally started to thrive). So it's clear that the points, TOI from the WHL from the last three weeks probably didn't count for him much, right?

 

[czechcanadian]

Port is drafted so it'll be at least 5 years till he is Maxa liga.

Mrtka and Benak are 17
Port and Koci are 19

U20 is not Benak or Mrtka's peers in 2024.

I don't disagree with you but how many D - 1 kids can they take? Cihar, Novotny, Benak and Mrtka? That's 4 guys that are 17 in a U20 tourney.

I'm not saying it's right but that is clearly being factored in.

If given the choice.. I'd had preferred Benak and Mrtka over Cihar and Novotny though. But I also wanted Perez and Curran. These coaches don't listen to me at all.lol

I listened to a couple different scout podcasts who’s overview of Benak was not quite as what is being claimed here by a couple people.
Both said this year in USHL his size has really set him back and hes being held to perimeter play mostly.
And listen, I LOVE the player and have seen him play enough to understand why he’s so highly touted. I actually think he’s one of the most offensively gifted forwards Czechs have produced in many years.
But let’s be honest here. How many 2nd/3rd round projected 17 year olds do other top countries bring?
Regardless of that, I still would have brought him. I’m just trying to justify the omission.

I actually think I’m more against not bringing Mrtka. Just purely because of his size and mobility. At least for now lol.

We will see once the tournament gets going who is missed the most.

 

[czechcanadian]

When you watch this highlight though… damn… he was one of the top prospects here. Maybe the best.

No worries though. He will get 2 more years to shine.

 

[Goodman68]

When you watch this highlight though… damn… he was one of the top prospects here. Maybe the best.

No worries though. He will get 2 more years to shine.

I quite understand the absence of both. But if they packed both, I wouldn't criticize the decision. I believe that in a year he will have all the more motivation to succeed with his grade.

 

[czechcanadian]

U18 team.. wrong thread but didn't see one for that tourney. Looks like a good roster. That is Tomas Rolinek's son! 2010 holds a special place in my heart and always will.. Jagr and Vokoun! Rachunek and Marek RIP.

From U20.. they are in Belleville (poor bastards)
Saw Kulich play the Leafs
Jiricek is there and healthy
Sale arrives soon
Jiricek is playing both exhibition games (mistake)
Sale is playing the second game against Canada (mistake)

We play Latvia tomorrow in Brockville (this team is getting a real good look at the 401.lol). I doubt that will be televised but hope I'm wrong.

Canada on Sunday where the Sens play. So that will be sold out and on TSN.

3 more cuts to make.. I am expecting Simek, Volas and Husciensky.

So it will be Sale, Hrabal and Dvorak.lol

Rolinek has terrible stats. Guess his last name got him on roster. Things haven’t changed have they. Lol

 

[Czechboy]

Rolinek has terrible stats. Guess his last name got him on roster. Things haven’t changed have they. Lol

No they have not.lol

 

[martygod12]

Dude, I've been reading the same thing on here an average of 5 times a day since the nomination and it's still the same thing. If you didn't mean Badinka as an exception, it doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to him in general.
And disparaging the nominated players as if they were complete nomads. I don't understand. Augusta has already done something, he is a successful coach, I will wait to see how we play.
And as for Mrtka, when he returned to junior team Třinec, he absolutely did not look like a difference player and Volas was much better. Just to compare the two when they were on the same team.
The nomination appeared here on December 2nd, he played his first game in the WHL two days before (where he finally started to thrive). So it's clear that the points, TOI from the WHL from the last three weeks probably didn't count for him much, right?

Benak and Mrtka are discussed here for at least last five pages basically every other day, especially since the nomination came up. So I dont know whats so strange, that I write about them frequently here, since they are just being discussed.

On top of that all or most of the posters here agreed that both should have been on the team, the vast majority of czech hockey fans and public agreed on the same think. Under every nomination post the most frequent sentence was "where is Benak or Mrtka", so Its not something I am solely pushing here, its a thing most people agrees to and I am just having the same opinion.

And I was just answering Czechboy to his post about age of the players and that lower age should not be a setback if the player is more then cabable playing at U20 level already.

 

[Goodman68]

Benak and Mrtka are discussed here for at least last five pages basically every other day, especially since the nomination came up. So I dont know whats so strange, that I write about them frequently here, since they are just being discussed.

On top of that all or most of the posters here agreed that both should have been on the team, the vast majority of czech hockey fans and public agreed on the same think. Under every nomination post the most frequent sentence was "where is Benak or Mrtka", so Its not something I am solely pushing here, its a thing most people agrees to and I am just having the same opinion.

And I was just answering Czechboy to his post about age of the players and that lower age should not be a setback if the player is more then cabable playing at U20 level already.

Maybe Badinka never had a problem. It's cool, it's Christmas, the holidays of peace and tranquility

 

[Czechboy]

Benak and Mrtka are discussed here for at least last five pages basically every other day, especially since the nomination came up. So I dont know whats so strange, that I write about them frequently here, since they are just being discussed.

On top of that all or most of the posters here agreed that both should have been on the team, the vast majority of czech hockey fans and public agreed on the same think. Under every nomination post the most frequent sentence was "where is Benak or Mrtka", so Its not something I am solely pushing here, its a thing most people agrees to and I am just having the same opinion.

And I was just answering Czechboy to his post about age of the players and that lower age should not be a setback if the player is more then cabable playing at U20 level already.

I just hope I'm not coming across as a supporter of the cuts. I'm not! I was pissed and am pissed. I am on record as saying I'm more pissed about Mrtka as our RD side is weaker. I wanted him at 3RD to start tourney.

I can totally picture Benak with Sale and Stancl to be honest.

I'm just trying to explain the coaches thinking or what I think they are going for. I've really enjoyed the last 3 tourneys and think we are playing very nice hockey. So I'll trust the process. But I don't like it.

My own theory and just my own.. we had 4 undrafted players that we were all considering for the nomination. The 2 that stayed in Europe made the team, the 2 that left didn't.

Using the last time they were together

The guy on top didn't make the cut.lol It could also be size or his USHL performance but it just seems personal to me.

But, and I think all us Czech posters agree, it's time to trust the process and cheer! I do like the team a lot.

 

[Czechboy]

in a year

In a year looks like our best squad of all time. I know you know this too. Benak, Mrtka, Novotny, Poletin, Galvas, Jiricek, Fibigr, Cihar, Curran - it's a nice looking squad. I expect Benak to go molten at that one as an undrafted C.lol

Not getting into the Badinka drama but he's still eligible too! They need to sort that out. Dvorak is back this year. I hope Badinka is next year. This year was a lost cause for whatever reason. I think he'll be in the AHL.

 

[Czechboy]

Just confirming.. no stream of Latvia game tonight? Anyone?

 

[Czechboy]

Exhibition means nothing.. no injuries please. Especially jiricek.

 

[Goodman68]

Exhibition means nothing.. no injuries please. Especially jiricek.

So no stream confirmed.

 

[Czechboy]

So no stream confirmed.

I can't find one.. not happy as I'd gladly crack a beer and watch this. Na zdravi! And Kulich plays the Leafs after.

 

[BigBadBoar]

So no stream confirmed.

Exhibition means nothing.. no injuries please. Especially jiricek.

Absence of Hradec, Štancl and Sikora today may well indicate two of those three will form the 1st line for the tournament together with Šalé. I can imagine Štancl - Hradec - Šalé as a very good line.

 

[Goodman68]

Absence of Hradec, Štancl and Sikora today may well indicate two of those three will form the 1st line for the tournament together with Šalé. I can imagine Štancl - Hradec - Šalé as a very good line.

I already wrote it here. After the last tournament, he named Sikora and Hradec (as extraliga regulars) as players who made a difference. So he definitely has a high opinion of both. The composition of the first line can be exactly as you wrote, Sikora can also be there. I'm glad that the team may not have as much top talent as the last two years (perhaps with the exception of Jiříček [may God stay healthy] and Šalé), but it seems very deep to me.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I already wrote it here. After the last tournament, he named Sikora and Hradec (as extraliga regulars) as players who made a difference. So he definitely has a high opinion of both. The composition of the first line can be exactly as you wrote, Sikora can also be there. I'm glad that the team may not have as much top talent as the last two years (perhaps with the exception of Jiříček [may God stay healthy] and Šalé), but it seems very deep to me.

OK, they actually are playing, just weren't displayed in that image with the lineup.

 

[Czechboy]

OK, they actually are playing, just weren't displayed in that image with the lineup.

I think you are right. Thing I love about this roster is that I see it as

Sale

Then a big 11 way tie for talent. They are all good. I actually don't even have an obvious combo for any line. Hradec is a big boy so I like that idea a lot. I do have a soft spot for stancl so hoping he is on line 1.

 

[Czechboy]

2-0.. galvas with 2 points. Something tells me the rest of the non Czech world is about to learn about him.