He cant. He already played at the tournament organized by IIHF which means, he can play only for USA. He would have to play 4 season in Slovakia.
C Tomas Pobezal - HK Nitra, Slovakia (2025 Draft)
- Thread starter Martinez89
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alko
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Antiillafire
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I wonder if he gets a look at the WJC team in December. He would have to play with Nitra mens team several times to see if he can handle the physical side but I’d take him as a 13th forward over Stumpel. He won’t be shy from the physical play that’s for sure.
Takurcitee
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- Apr 22, 2022
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Future 1st rounder i hope maybe even top 10 he has much better numbers than mesar at the same age
GettingYourMoms
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Egresch
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I think he was joking.
However, he demonstrates that there is continuity after Slafkovsky/Nemec.
Imagine Slafkovsky, Nemec, Dvorsky and Pobezal top 10 in an NHL draft in just a few years...
Players born between 2007 and 2010 who seem to be able to continue the series...
Slovakia seems to be experiencing the same dynamism that Finland experienced from 2012.
Takurcitee
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alko
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You are too optimistic. He is still 15 years old. He needs time. Maybe next year.
This was Pobezal's U16 season, same age Mesar was a PPG+ player in the U20 league.
Takurcitee
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Antiillafire
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Mesar in his DY-3 had 47 pts in 47 games in the U18 league. Pobezal in his Dy-3 had 44 pts in 24 games. And Mesar’s Poprad team had lots of talent (Zlnka, Sotek, Suchy, Sokoli), way more than Puchov had this past season.
It’s still a long way but he’s definitely a better player than Mesar was at age 15.
I am taking him over Stumpel, Kupco, etc.
Martinez89
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WJC-20 this year definitely would be too early for him. He´s going into his DY-2 season and Mesar wasn´t ready for WJC-20 even in his DY-1 season if you want to compare... And if I´m not mistaken if Pobezal starts at WJC in December so then he would be the youngest Slovak ever at WJC - which is obvious it´s too early, especially when we realize he isn´t physically developed yet.
A goal for him for the next season should be the 2C role behind Dvorsky on next year´s WJC-18, I see that as more realistic.
Antiillafire
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I do agree, it probably is to early for the WJC. But I am also comparing to what effort and play the bubble players who made the team this year brought. We got outscored 27-11, more than any team in the tournament, even worse than Austria. And he’s been playing pre season games, mostly third and fourth line for the mens team (on a incomplete roster of course). But there will be room in the bottom 6 for the WJC.
As for the U18 role, I’m not sure there is much competition for the 2C role. Jencko was a big let down, and Dej and Paricka are more middle six, bottom 6 style players.
Martinez89
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I agree with everything but... did you take that Slovak team at summer WJC seriously? Me not. Not with the defense we had. And that's why I´m not doing any conclusions from that tournament. We were missing our top guns, like 7 best players and all the defense... We don´t have such a deep roster we´re able to play these kind of tournaments with our "B" team.
Next time it´ll be relegation too so thats the another reason why I expect we´ll build our lineup more responsibly. I don´t rule out participation of players like Mesar or even Nemec... and with strong birthyear 2004 there is most likely no room for Pobezal experiment. But I would be just happy if he was able to play there and not to be lost there (but I don´t expect this).
And for WJC-18 next year.
Yes he´s probably the main candidate for 2C already today. But still he must have a good season and keep improving to maintain this position. So if he´ll be our second best center after Dvorsky even in a year I´ll be fine with that.
Antiillafire
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1+1 for project in their first game in Slovak second league. And 1+0 in the U20 league. Playing 1C.
Antiillafire
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With the project so far: 4 pts in 4 games in Slovakias second league. 3 pts in 4 games in Slovak U20 league.
Antiillafire
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alko
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Antiillafire
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I think he’s gonna have a very good U18 tournament. It will be his coming out party on more of a global stage. 2 assists vs Finland in the pre-tournament loss for Slovakia.
I think it's safe to say that didn't happen. Nonetheless, Pobezal is a very exciting player.
Antiillafire
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Yeah they probably rushed him back from injury into that position too quickly, I thought he looked fine in the U18 playoffs for Nitra but that is obviously several levels lower than what he had to face at the U18 WC. Let’s see how he does at the Hlinka Gretzky.
Antiillafire
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I find it unlikely. @hellwar9 may have a different opinion but I think the path to playing for Nitra this year is there. Sykora will be gone, no Molnar, etc. But is that the best option to stay and play bottom 6 in Nitra or top 6 in CHL ? CHL is probably a better option but again Slovak success in CHL hasn’t been great. Honzek is really the only exception and he is an outlier. I still think back to Ruzicka and would argue he’d have been better served to go pro in Czechia or Slovakia. Sykora stayed just this past season despite going first overall.
If he does go, I’d hope it would be to a club with a good record of developing euro talent.
