F Adam Benák - Youngstown Phantoms, USHL (2025 Draft)

[Czechboy]

He lapped the field...

translation: Most points by a U17 Czech at the Hlinka... he had 10 points and 16 year old Zacha + Sale + Petr + Voracek had 11.

This kid is not like the others.

 

[Czechboy]

He seems to have brutal timing for his age. Almost like he let's the puck go in the exact right moment. That one assist against the U.S for an example. He holds the puck one half off a second longer or so, before he feels that his teammate is free and in a good position to score. And yes, he's right, his teammate scores.

This.. he has that thing where he changes the look of the game on the ice by waiting a split second and then doing something. IQ is insanely high and he backchecks!

Hoping for the next Kane/Gaurdreau and not the next Kodytek (who I love as a player but I want NHL dammit).

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

This.. he has that thing where he changes the look of the game on the ice by waiting a split second and then doing something. IQ is insanely high and he backchecks!

Hoping for the next Kane/Gaurdreau and not the next Kodytek (who I love as a player but I want NHL dammit).

Kodytek was indefinitely less strong than Benak at the same age

 

[Czechboy]

Kodytek was indefinitely less strong than Benak at the same age

That's my range.. Kane to Kodytek. No stone unturned!lol

Of our new gen guys coming up.. he excites me a lot! I have him up there with Kulich, Sale, Jiricek, Svozil and Jiricek for guys I think will make an NHL impact. We will see thoough.. all young kids and NHL is hard to make! Or getting drafted as I felt this way about Petr 2 years ago and that hasn't gone well for me at all!

 

[Voodoozz]

First pro game for Benák today, centering the 1st line, 1st PP, PK. Through 2 periods, he's already set up 3 quality scoring chances. Granted, it's a pre-season game, but that's a fast and physical Liiga team and he doesn't look overmatched at the slightest. Obviously isn't as dominant in terms of puck possesion, but still impactful. I really wonder if they're gonna roll with him on 1C when the Extraliga season starts.

 

[Czechboy]

First pro game for Benák today, centering the 1st line, 1st PP, PK. Through 2 periods, he's already set up 3 quality scoring chances. Granted, it's a pre-season game, but that's a fast and physical Liiga team and he doesn't look overmatched at the slightest. Obviously isn't as dominant in terms of puck possesion, but still impactful. I really wonder if they're gonna roll with him on 1C into when the Extraliga season starts.

View attachment 735349

Jiricek too!

 

[Voodoozz]

Jiricek too!

And Skok for that matter.

 

[Czechboy]

And Skok for that matter.

Missed that! He always ends up higher than Jiricek. Even at Hlinka he was on first pair for the Finn's Semis'. I wonder what the coaches like so much about him? I'm assuming steady and reliable and has a 'pro' type game

 

[Voodoozz]

Missed that! He always ends up higher than Jiricek. Even at Hlinka he was on first pair for the Finn's Semis'. I wonder what the coaches like so much about him? I'm assuming steady and reliable and has a 'pro' type game.

He's a LD, so he cat slot better with Zámorský who's a RD. I expect Skok to spend most of the year in the U20, with couple of call ups throughout the season (20ish games). Jiricek will get a full pro year on the second pair, he looked great tonight.

 

[Czechboy]

He's a LD, so he cat slot better with Zámorský who's a RD. I expect Skok to spend most of the year in the U20, with couple of call ups throughout the season (20ish games). Jiricek will get a full pro year on the second pair, he looked great tonight.

I'm thinking he makes the U20 team at Xmas pretty easily. It's a good D core too, not like our usual but he's so good.

 

[Goodman68]

I'm thinking he makes the U20 team at Xmas pretty easily. It's a good D core too, not like our usual but he's so good.

I agree that our D core will be good for the championship, but I would be surprised if Jiříček doesn't make the roster. He was dominant in Hlinka.

 

[Voodoozz]

A quick vid from tonight's game

 

[Czechboy]

I agree that our D core will be good for the championship, but I would be surprised if Jiříček doesn't make the roster. He was dominant in Hlinka.

I think he's a lock...

Hamara
Cech
Alscher
Dvorak
Jiricek
Badinka
Port

I'm probably missing someone. It could be our second best d core on a decade (after last year's crew).

2025 looks just as good with Dvorak, badinka, jiricek being joined by fibigr, galvas, svozil and skok.

 

[Voodoozz]

What stood out to me was that even against men he seems very good at fending off body contact. He anticipates the incoming hit and shifts his body and skates to glance off it. An imporant skill for a player of his size going forward, he'll need it if he's to play in Extraliga.

The guy below tried to pin Benak who made him eat the boards instead (poor guy needed stitches lol).

 

[Czechboy]

What stood out to me was that even against men he seems very good at fending off body contact. He anticipates the incoming hit and shifts his body and skates to glance off it. An imporant skill for a player of his size going forward, he'll need it if he's to play in Extraliga.

The guy below tried to pin Benak who made him eat the boards instead (poor guy needed stitches lol).

View attachment 735401

You take a run at Benak in exhibition.. you deserve stitches.lol

 

[FourQuarters]

I think he's a lock...

Hamara
Cech
Alscher
Dvorak
Jiricek
Badinka
Port

I'm probably missing someone. It could be our second best d core on a decade (after last year's crew).

2025 looks just as good with Dvorak, badinka, jiricek being joined by fibigr, galvas, svozil and skok.

Badinka didn't make the U20 team this summer tho. He has a tough second half season, injured, missed U18 tournament. I doubt if he will have another chance to make the U20 team in December

 

[Goodman68]

Badinka didn't make the U20 team this summer tho. He has a tough second half season, injured, missed U18 tournament. I doubt if he will have another chance to make the U20 team in December

I don't know exactly when Badinka started having health problems. But I saw him in a tournament and if he was still healthy then I have big concerns about his agility and skating. Very often he came under the pressure of a forward player, he lost the puck several times, he was often close to losing the puck. He clearly lacks the ability (like Jiříček) to escape with the puck safely from such situations. He would never be anywhere near a first round draft pick in my rankings. I repeat, if he was healthy at the time, then it certainly applies. If he could improve on this, then he is definitely an interesting player..

A quick vid from tonight's game

He looked very good.

 

[Czechboy]

Badinka didn't make the U20 team this summer tho. He has a tough second half season, injured, missed U18 tournament. I doubt if he will have another chance to make the U20 team in December

He is a substitute on the upcoming camp so he is in the radar. Definitely not a lock but he will be in Europe and this camp seems to mostly be guys leaving for NA this season.

 

[Voodoozz]

Another prep game tonight for Benák (#27) as 1C. Not a very good hockey to look at but he's probably been the team's best forward.

Several perfect passes that were unconverted + assist on the game-tying goal:

 

[Wooren]

Another prep game tonight for Benák (#27) as 1C. Not a very good hockey to look at but he's probably been the team's best forward.

Several perfect passes that were unconverted + assist on the game-tying goal:

Jesus, how many tap-ins do his teammates actually need to convert.

 

[martygod12]

Jesus, how many tap-ins do his teammates actually need to convert.

Crazy, he could easily have another three assists if his teamates werent planks lol

 

[GettingYourMoms]

I am not worried at all about Benak's size now. He is strong on his skates and in the corners and his mobility and speed helps him too, also he is fresh 16yo playing against pros at one of the world's top hockey leagues. He has alot of time to gain an inch or two. I would say, he is best czech prospect since Jaromír Jágr and it is not even close, he makes guys like Voracek, Hertl, Necas, Pastrnak, Vrana look like amateurs, his two way game and all aroud skill is just ridiculous i would even say as a 16 yo center he couldn't be any more perfect. Though of 100+ point two way center is making me extremely excited. I think Misa is not at all guaranteed 1st overall pick, when center like Benák exist. Kid has offensive game of Gadreau and defensive game of Bergeron, he is crazy, crazy good!.

 

[Goodman68]

I am not worried at all about Benak's size now. He is strong on his skates and in the corners and his mobility and speed helps him too, also he is fresh 16yo playing against pros at one of the world's top hockey leagues. He has alot of time to gain an inch or two. I would say, he is best czech prospect since Jaromír Jágr and it is not even close, he makes guys like Voracek, Hertl, Necas, Pastrnak, Vrana look like amateurs, his two way game and all aroud skill is just ridiculous i would even say as a 16 yo center he couldn't be any more perfect. Though of 100+ point two way center is making me extremely excited. I think Misa is not at all guaranteed 1st overall pick, when center like Benák exist. Kid has offensive game of Gadreau and defensive game of Bergeron, he is crazy, crazy good!.

Mom's classic kiss of death. Keep your head up Adam, you're going to need it

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Mom's classic kiss of death. Keep your head up Adam, you're going to need it

Oh you have a point. He is worst prospect since Jagr. He makes Zadina and Kaut look like all-stars.

 

[Speyer]

I am not worried at all about Benak's size now. He is strong on his skates and in the corners and his mobility and speed helps him too, also he is fresh 16yo playing against pros at one of the world's top hockey leagues. He has alot of time to gain an inch or two. I would say, he is best czech prospect since Jaromír Jágr and it is not even close, he makes guys like Voracek, Hertl, Necas, Pastrnak, Vrana look like amateurs, his two way game and all aroud skill is just ridiculous i would even say as a 16 yo center he couldn't be any more perfect. Though of 100+ point two way center is making me extremely excited. I think Misa is not at all guaranteed 1st overall pick, when center like Benák exist. Kid has offensive game of Gadreau and defensive game of Bergeron, he is crazy, crazy good!.

So we are talking about him being a top 3-5 center in the NHL now? A bit hyperbole if you ask me. Lets just see first if he can grow into a respectable frame before making such predictions.