Dreaded Czech U18 Thread
- Thread starter Czechboy
- Start date
There's even Pšenička. The only thing missing is Nestrasil, and he wasn't even at the HGC. I have no idea if there's a problem between the coach and the player, but I'm extremely happy with this nomination.
This might no joke be the best Czech u18 team in like 20 years. The top six is gonna be crazy, the bottom six are no slouches either, good D with two studs in Mrtka and Dravecký and very good goalies. Hopefully the coaching will be up to the level of the squad, but considering Čermák coached the team to two Hlinka silvers, I am confident.
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
The f*** is going on???? I go to bed, wake up and see we 'maybe' have Benak (I mean, those tweeters are never inaccurate but seems too good to be true).. then I wake up to see Psnecka? Mrtka? Benak?
If this is April Fools and AI .. I am reporting all of you.lmao
If this is April Fools and AI .. I am reporting all of you.lmao
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
I don't want to get into it because I love my Slovaks but yeah.. guys missing for us:
Mrtka, Benak, Psnecka, Novotny, Poletin and Katolicky played only 1 game.
Yeah we are basically at full strength minus Nestrasil. It starting to scare me a bit, when we go somewhere like the stacked team, we usually burn and fall into pieces ...
Hope this will not be another case of that lol
Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich "The Fake"
USHL teams aren’t like CHL when it comes to this tournament. They’ll sometimes release players during the playoffs. Tri-City released Connelly last year for USA. For your sake, let’s hope it goes a bit better for Benak.
Nestrasil probably didn’t have the same type of negotiating power as Benak or Czech federation probably didn’t push as hard for him as they did Benak.
Nestrasil probably didn’t have the same type of negotiating power as Benak or Czech federation probably didn’t push as hard for him as they did Benak.
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
I expected Mrtka and maybe Pekar. I did not expect all 5. Now get Pasta/Vej/Hronek to the World's and I'll be a lot less bitchy around here.
I appreciate the comment from Erik but I don't think we are a gold contender on paper. US and Sweden are and have better rosters. However Canada is usually weaker here. Finn's are always dangerous. I think we are in the medal conversation.
Benak is our wildcard. While he may not end up being in the NHL and he's not going first overall. I will be in absolute shock if he doesn't finish with 10 to 12 points and is top 5 to 10 amongst forwards. He may not be the next McDavid but, at U18, he's a massive difference maker.
The supporting cast is unreal
Got our starting goalie
Got our 2 big D in Psnecka and Mrtka
Got 2 potential first round D in Mrtka and Dravecky
Got a potential first rounder in Novotny and Katolicky
I love that it's Kachlir and do see Goodman's point but I think he'll be sheltered because he won't be taking ice from Mrtka/Dravecky/Psnecka. In a playoff game we can really shorten that D up and play those guys big minutes.
Then you got guys like Poletin and Cihar to help with the scoring.
Top 4 D will be good to great
Goalie will be good to great
Top 6 F will be as good as we've sent in awhile
Without counting.. I assume at least half the team to 75% played on the Silver Hlinka team?
If Kazakhistan beats us again this year then I quit!lol
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
No Nestrasil sucks becasue he's a big body and can defend. Be useful agains the big 3 but this isn't the end of the world for me. This roster is about as optimal as we could get. No one gets everyone for these tournaments and Canada will be hurt the most by playoffs. So it's fair game.
I won't be bitching about the roster. And I like the coaches. So, to be honest, let's drop that puck!
I won't be bitching about the roster. And I like the coaches. So, to be honest, let's drop that puck!
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
I totally agree but we still aren't the favorite. We are still the plucky underdogs. No way the Swedes/US/Canada are shitting their pants at our additions.
Reminds me a lot of our U20 team where I thought we'd do well and we performed to our standard.
I love our crossover because US and Swedes are in our pool. So there are 2 nightmare quarters avoided right away. Dream is we manage to beat Swiss and Germans and get a point/split out of US and Sweden. However, even losses to them will strengthen us for the quarters. I don't mind round robin losses as they often improve us.
I will say though... and I don't think we are winning gold, but whenever we win gold it is always the hardest draw possible and we have to beat everyone.lol Eg. Nagano was US, Canada and Russia. Last World's was US, Sweden and then damn near the Swiss A team. 2010 was Sweden, Finland and the Russian A Olympic Team. So when we win, we really win.lol
Hoping to win the quarter and have 2 games to watch that weekend!
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
Nestrasil won so he's not coming. Which is fine. I got the U18 squad I wanted and have no complaints. Now need some Rulik announcements.lol Heard Lauko is coming to Czech games to fight for a spot. Pasta seems like a reasonable take. Hoping to hear the names Hronek and Vej. Everything else is gravy.
- Apr 15, 2018
- 22,340
- 30,066
I think they'll come. I was just hoping that they had some time off at the club, that they could rest and, most importantly, that they wouldn't get hurt now.
Portland making a comeback against higher seed Everett and leading the series 3:2, missing on Stebetak and Psenicka wouldn't be good. There's enough depth to overcome both and still be a medal contender, but with them I think Czechs are legitimate gold medal threat, especially if Benak pulls off another Hlinka-like perfomace.
Overall, no complaints with the squad. Aside from Nestrasil, nobody is missing and Nestrasil wasn't there in Summer when Czechs just barely lost to Canada in final anyway (final that I am convinced Czechs win if they played it in Breclav like usual, a bit unfortunate it was Canada who had the home ice advanatge).
I know he is getting some hype in here and overall for the 2026 draft, but I fear what's Dravecky going to pull off this tournament. He could score a crucial goal or make the worst giveaway imaginable in an important game. Not a big fan personally.
Glad both Katolicky and Kachlir made it, Katolicky was a no brainer despite poor playoffs, if things go well he can be a high pick next year. Kachlir will likely suffer similiar fate to Benak/Galvas/Radivojevic, immensely talented individual trapped in a small frame. But you never know, maybe he can be the exception to make it big, just like Hughes or Hutson.
That being said, it's likely the best U18 squad Czechs have had in like 20 years. Zahejsky and Pavlik probably bombed their draft chances with terrible seasons, but both should be key players for the squad and who knows, maybe they can salvage late round consideration with a good tournament? Especially Pavlik, since points aren't all that important considering the game he plays. Excited for the tournament.
Overall, no complaints with the squad. Aside from Nestrasil, nobody is missing and Nestrasil wasn't there in Summer when Czechs just barely lost to Canada in final anyway (final that I am convinced Czechs win if they played it in Breclav like usual, a bit unfortunate it was Canada who had the home ice advanatge).
I know he is getting some hype in here and overall for the 2026 draft, but I fear what's Dravecky going to pull off this tournament. He could score a crucial goal or make the worst giveaway imaginable in an important game. Not a big fan personally.
Glad both Katolicky and Kachlir made it, Katolicky was a no brainer despite poor playoffs, if things go well he can be a high pick next year. Kachlir will likely suffer similiar fate to Benak/Galvas/Radivojevic, immensely talented individual trapped in a small frame. But you never know, maybe he can be the exception to make it big, just like Hughes or Hutson.
That being said, it's likely the best U18 squad Czechs have had in like 20 years. Zahejsky and Pavlik probably bombed their draft chances with terrible seasons, but both should be key players for the squad and who knows, maybe they can salvage late round consideration with a good tournament? Especially Pavlik, since points aren't all that important considering the game he plays. Excited for the tournament.
I understand that Štěbeták and Pšenička will come even if their team advances in the playoffs. If that's not the case, I'll be quite disappointed, even though we'll still be a medal contender.
A journalist from the official hockey union website does not know where one of the key players of the Benák team is (he is said to be still at his club) and the Štěbeták and Pšenička duo are in a similar situation. No information in the sense that they will definitely come to the championship, as they wrote immediately after the nomination. Lol. Good job..
On the other hand, Kamas and Matějovský were called up to the team.
On the other hand, Kamas and Matějovský were called up to the team.
Wtf I thought they have agreememts with the clubs lol since they were in the official lineup
Well all three may be eliminated today so we will see what comes out of It
