F - Nela Lopusanova - Vlci Zilina (2026 NHL Draft)

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austin63867

Registered User
Nov 13, 2018
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Nela Lopusanova is currently one of the top players in Slovakia, and is one of the best 2026 Eligibles in the league. Recently, Lopusanova has been promoted to the Pros at 14 years old? How? Nela Lopusanova was promoted to the Pros, for the Slovakian Women's Team.

It's pretty rare to be hyped over a female prospect, and there's almost never any actual hype beyond women's hockey, but Lopusanova may be different. Her stats are similar to 2026 top prospect Adam Nemec, although Nemec is a few months older.

Now I pass by many female players who do well in Juniors, but she's 14 playing in the U16 and getting 3PPG there. If she were a male, I'd consider her a highly rated prospect.

Currently she's been playing in the Slovak Women's league, and has 25 Points in only 6 Games. She has the 2nd most Points already by a player under 16 with more than 1 game played at 14.

The only player to beat her totals? Herself, at age 13. 25 Goals and 40 Points in 6 Games.

She is currently at the Women's u18 for Slovakia, and leads with 7PTS in 2GP.

Curious if anyone has any insight or opinions on her. She looks like someone to watch for the future. There's never been a female European prospect I can remember as promising as her.

 
Very cool to see her performing at such a high level, I hope she keeps it up! What a story that would be
The one thing that excites me is that
I have no doubt that a woman can be as skilled as the pros. It's when the testosterone kicks in that the separation happens, and I'm thinking in a U16 league, this is the closest she is going to be to her male peers for the rest of her playing career.
Well, she's already playing against men up to 16, where their testosterone is the most unregulated. The fact she's already one of the best is impressive but I'd like to see what she could do in the U18. Some female players play in men's league on occasion but hopefully she can kick it as an actual pro against men, whether in Europe or somewhere else.
 
The one thing that excites me is that

Well, she's already playing against men up to 16, where their testosterone is the most unregulated. The fact she's already one of the best is impressive but I'd like to see what she could do in the U18. Some female players play in men's league on occasion but hopefully she can kick it as an actual pro against men, whether in Europe or somewhere else.
"Men up to 16"

Nonetheless really exciting stats and interesting to see how she keeps up in the coming years.
 
You can see her goals in the IIHF video highlights here

Her first goal against Japan is particularly impressive. She wears 12 on her jersey
 
Cool story for sure and interesting to watch. But for context, Hayley Wickenheiser, probably the GOAT for women, only managed to play in Suomi-Sarja with men. Tier 3 - Finland.

Comparing her to men at this point is not relevant. How she stacks up against her Canadian and American female counterparts is the more interesting analysis. Will be fun to see if she propels Slovakia into Women's hockey relevance.

Love the women's game and will be watching Canada vs US today!
 
Cool story for sure and interesting to watch. But for context, Hayley Wickenheiser, probably the GOAT for women, only managed to play in Suomi-Sarja with men. Tier 3 - Finland.

Comparing her to men at this point is not relevant. How she stacks up against her Canadian and American female counterparts is the more interesting analysis. Will be fun to see if she propels Slovakia into Women's hockey relevance.

Love the women's game and will be watching Canada vs US today!
I think it'll matter when she gets to U18 and the difference is much larger. She's already being tested and doing well against other women. A goal and an assist vs Czechia today in the Women's U18.
 
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Any insight into why the point total in the woman's league dropped this year? Obviously both totals are incredible for such a young player, but one would expect the higher total at the older age. Is it just opponents more aware of her and focusing their defence on her? Was it just a couple outlier games in the small sample size that made the point difference seem big? Did her team get worse and score fewer goals?
 

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