Slovak prospects - Top 10 rankings (updated July 3rd)

[Elvs]

It's pretty accurate I think, though I'd easily have Molnar 4th for 2023 and Eperjesi top 8 at least

Admittadly, my knowledge about Slovak prospects gets worse for each draft class. I'd say I have a pretty good idea about the 2022 class, but pretty much the only thing I've been able to see of the 2023 class were videos on youtube. I like what I see from Jencko (seemingly has good puck skills and vision). He's also in a very good program in Malmo. Meanwhile, there's not a lot of video on Molnar. And as far as his stats goes, while they are good for a 16 year old (soon 17) in Slovakia, they didn't progress from last season.

All in all, I'll just say this... Even if the WHJC was cancelled, we got enough of a glimpse to see that these Slovak kids are the real deal. How they carry over to the men's level in the future remains to be seen, but generally speaking, it's obvious that kids coming out of Slovakia right now are better skaters and puck handlers compared to previous age groups. I don't think such things happens out of coincidence. More likely, they are results of an improved program.

While the 2022 and 2023 groups maybe stronger than what will come after, more decent prospects should be on the way. Slovakia should defenitely become a more competitive hockey nation soon.

 

[Antiillafire]

Thanks for the updates @Elvs. As for 2024 class I would have Tomasec second. 4 pts in 6 games as a 15 year old is decent in the u18 Finnish league. I am completely unsure with Theo Kiss. I have no idea what any of his stats mean and how they can be compared. What level is he playing at? Is there even an outlook to him playing in the USHL in 2 years for his draft year?

 

[Elvs]

Thanks for the updates @Elvs. As for 2024 class I would have Tomasec second. 4 pts in 6 games as a 15 year old is decent in the u18 Finnish league. I am completely unsure with Theo Kiss. I have no idea what any of his stats mean and how they can be compared. What level is he playing at? Is there even an outlook to him playing in the USHL in 2 years for his draft year?

Tomasec is for sure off to a good start in the Finnish U18 league, but again, short sample size. His stats from the U16 league is not as impressive.

Triple A is (at the minor level) the highest level you can play in the U.S.. Here's a couple of forwards drafted in the 4th round last year, who played in U15 AAA around the same age:

Jackson Blake at eliteprospects.com
Josh Lopina at eliteprospects.com

You can see Kiss' stats compares very well (and even outperforms) them. Based on stats alone, he's perhaps a potential 2nd or 3rd round pick right now.

I could not find any video on him (same as with pretty much every player in the 2024 class) yet. But on top of comparisons with U.S. players I found, Kiss dominated the Slovak U16 league when he was 13 years old.

He should certainly be good enough for the USHL in a couple of years, if he decides to continue his route through the U.S. program. But as far as the NHL draft goes, a lot will of course happen between now and 2024. I imagine most players who are drafted, even in the 7th round, were at some point highly touted while playing triple A hockey.

 

[Nowotny]

Roman Faith is a pretty hilarious name. I wonder if he's Catholic lol

They pronounce it "FAIT"

He probably is. Just like most people in Slovakia.

 

[Antiillafire]

I would rank the 2023 eligibles a little differently. Although it’s difficult to compare stats in various leagues, by eye test I saw lots with the u17 tournament and the play of the U18 project.

1. Dvorsky
2. Ciernik
3. Strbak
(Pretty self explanatory, I believe everyone would agree with these three being the top 3 in this order).
4. Molnar
5. Sisik
(Molnar has looked good since returning from u17 tournament and was decent there too against solid good competition. He’s a boom or bust for me, his potential is imo only behind Dvorsky if he can reach it. Sisik was the best player for the u17 team and has really become more of a 2-way C, I believe if he fills out his frame more he could be a useful player. Can’t just look at stats with him.)
6. Ridzon
7. Eperjesi
(Both players who I have seen lots of. I doubt they are NHL level prospects but Eperjesi reminds me a bit of Kmec. Maybe he has a similar jump.)
8. Jencko
9. Misiak
10. Honzek
(Jencko is lower than I would have thought. I think he has good skill but I don’t see him as the same all around player like Sisik, that’s why I can’t rank him above even though his production is better. Misiak is skilled but makes quite a few mistakes and coughs up the puck easily too often. If he can add some strength he could move further up the list. Honzek, I barely could include in the top 10. Based on stats alone, one would think he should be a potential top 15-20 pick like Mesar but if you actually watch the games he looks lost 95% of the time he’s on the ice. His goals come from right in front of the net and his skating is hard to watch. I put him here because, yes he can score and he can play physical but other than that I would prefer someone like Barcik or Korec.)

 

[stastny12]

I would rank the 2023 eligibles a little differently. Although it’s difficult to compare stats in various leagues, by eye test I saw lots with the u17 tournament and the play of the U18 project.

1. Dvorsky
2. Ciernik
3. Strbak
(Pretty self explanatory, I believe everyone would agree with these three being the top 3 in this order).
4. Molnar
5. Sisik
(Molnar has looked good since returning from u17 tournament and was decent there too against solid good competition. He’s a boom or bust for me, his potential is imo only behind Dvorsky if he can reach it. Sisik was the best player for the u17 team and has really become more of a 2-way C, I believe if he fills out his frame more he could be a useful player. Can’t just look at stats with him.)
6. Ridzon
7. Eperjesi
(Both players who I have seen lots of. I doubt they are NHL level prospects but Eperjesi reminds me a bit of Kmec. Maybe he has a similar jump.)
8. Jencko
9. Misiak
10. Honzek
(Jencko is lower than I would have thought. I think he has good skill but I don’t see him as the same all around player like Sisik, that’s why I can’t rank him above even though his production is better. Misiak is skilled but makes quite a few mistakes and coughs up the puck easily too often. If he can add some strength he could move further up the list. Honzek, I barely could include in the top 10. Based on stats alone, one would think he should be a potential top 15-20 pick like Mesar but if you actually watch the games he looks lost 95% of the time he’s on the ice. His goals come from right in front of the net and his skating is hard to watch. I put him here because, yes he can score and he can play physical but other than that I would prefer someone like Barcik or Korec.)

Great list! However, are you sure with Molnar and Sisik on fourth and fifth? Their current numbers are not that great. Other players have also made huge progress, especially, Honzek, Misiak and Eperjesi, so I believe that they were already surpassed by them.

 

[kudla]

Great list! However, are you sure with Molnar and Sisik on fourth and fifth? Their current numbers are not that great. Other players have also made huge progress, especially, Honzek, Misiak and Eperjesi, so I believe that they were already surpassed by them.

I think Molnar is more talented than anyone after the big 3. I wouldn't lower his stock so much yet even despite him not having the best season.

 

[Antiillafire]

I am pleasantly surprised by how Sykora and Sotek were ranked by central scouting. Sykora at 36 and Sotek at 41. Both ranked above Hamara, Persson, Havelid. And I think Sykora could still move up.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Latkoczy has impressed me this season. I think he’ll do well in his first NCAA season.

 

[Antiillafire]

Rober Baco has seemed to finally found his groove in the WHL. Who would’ve thought, if you asked 3-4 years ago about who would be our two best 2003 born players that it would be Baco and Demek.

 

[alko]

Rober Baco has seemed to finally found his groove in the WHL. Who would’ve thought, if you asked 3-4 years ago about who would be our two best 2003 born players that it would be Baco and Demek.

Cant remember now, who was that time ranked best.

 

[Rusty7550]

Cant remember now, who was that time ranked best.

Chovaniak looked very promising

 

[wings5]

Thanks for the updates @Elvs. As for 2024 class I would have Tomasec second. 4 pts in 6 games as a 15 year old is decent in the u18 Finnish league. I am completely unsure with Theo Kiss. I have no idea what any of his stats mean and how they can be compared. What level is he playing at? Is there even an outlook to him playing in the USHL in 2 years for his draft year?

Mount Saint Charles is one of the top hockey Academies in the US, if Kiss plays well he can definitely make a USHL team within the next couple years. Currently 4th on his team in scoring. Among U15 AAA top scorers in 2019/2020 : Cole Spicer NTDP, Rutger McGroarty NTDP projected top few rounds 2022 NHL draft, David Goyette one of OHLs top rookie scorers projected highly for this 2022 NHL draft, Max Namestnikov OHL first round pick and OHL rookie, Frank Nazar one of top point producer on NTDP projectd high draft pick, Jordan Dumais one of Halifax Mooseheads top scorers and young players, Hunter Brzustewicz NTDP and projected 2022 draft pick among several others . Keep in mind these guys all destroyed the league but bottom line is if you're good in this level, you will definitely be seen and have chances at junior hockey. It's good hockey.

 

[wings5]

The novelty this season is that this project will work with the NCAA and after the season in April, a group of players who will be interested in it are going to try a try-out in overseas in order to get to some university from the NCAA. In addition to be drafted, the goal will be to educate players.

Have they announced the invited group of players for this yet?

 

[Elvs]

The rankings in the OP have been updated after the Olympics. Not much differance but:

2022:
Slafkovsky overtakes the #1 spot again.
Adam Sykora climbs.
Alex Sotek is in the top 10.
Adam Zlnka falls outside.

2023:
Ondrej Molnar and Martin Misiak climbs a spot each.
Leo Eperjesi back in the top 10.
Frantisek Ridzon is on the outside looking in.

2024:
Tobias Pitka and Ondrej Maruna among climbers.
Richard Baran makes the top 10.
Andrej Klapica falls outside.

 

[tobu]

Can this thread be finally pinned? Who do we have to annoy?

 

[JiggsNY]

Can this thread be finally pinned? Who do we have to annoy?

Yeah, I enjoy reading this thread with the ranking s and general Slovak discussions. We have American, Swedish and Finnish, don't see why we cant add this one.

 

[Antiillafire]

The rankings in the OP have been updated after the Olympics. Not much differance but:

2022:
Slafkovsky overtakes the #1 spot again.
Adam Sykora climbs.
Alex Sotek is in the top 10.
Adam Zlnka falls outside.

2023:
Ondrej Molnar and Martin Misiak climbs a spot each.
Leo Eperjesi back in the top 10.
Frantisek Ridzon is on the outside looking in.

2024:
Tobias Pitka and Ondrej Maruna among climbers.
Richard Baran makes the top 10.
Andrej Klapica falls outside.

Zlnka’s injury really sucks, especially severity and length of it. I think in terms of pure hockey iq and skill, he is only behind Slafkovsky and Mesar for the 2022 forwards. He may not be as complete player as Petrovsky. But Zlnka was finding a bit of a groove in USHL before injury

 

[alko]

Can this thread be finally pinned? Who do we have to annoy?

I wrote yesterday a message to one of the moderators. No answer to this time. But if there will be more pressure, maybe they will change their mind.

 

[Antiillafire]

The rankings in the OP have been updated after the Olympics. Not much differance but:

2022:
Slafkovsky overtakes the #1 spot again.
Adam Sykora climbs.
Alex Sotek is in the top 10.
Adam Zlnka falls outside.

2023:
Ondrej Molnar and Martin Misiak climbs a spot each.
Leo Eperjesi back in the top 10.
Frantisek Ridzon is on the outside looking in.

2024:
Tobias Pitka and Ondrej Maruna among climbers.
Richard Baran makes the top 10.
Andrej Klapica falls outside.

What’s the justification for Honzek at 4? I am not even sure he’s top 10 or 15. I think Jan Korec could be a real riser, good numbers and just committed to Boston College. Thanks for the update again

 

[hellwar9]

It's been a while so now i would rank the top 10 Slovaks for 2022 something like this:
1.Slafkovsky
2.Nemec
3.Mesar
4.Petrovsky
5.Sykora
6.Jedlicka (OA)
7.Kmec
8.Sotek
9.Elias
10.Mosko

I would also rank 2023 differently:
1.Dvorsky
2.Ciernik
3.Molnar
4.Honzek
5.Misiak
6.Strbak
7.Eperjesi
8.Korec
9.Jencko
10.Urban

For 2024, Chromiak really looks like a stud, but other names, it's still too early. Weaker class.

 

[Antiillafire]

I’m not far away from having Ciernik as my no.1 from 2023. Only thing that holds him back is his size but his shot, skating and puck handling are all elite. He’s been clearly the best forward at this tournament.

 

[hellwar9]

I still think that Dvorsky is clearly the best Slovak for 2023, but I agree, the difference is not as great as it seemed a few months ago. Ciernik is really surprising, I'm curious about his next season. When Molnar only concentrates on hockey, he can be the best player on the ice, with him it's all about how it's set in his head. Honzek has also made great progress in the last six months. But there are also a few boys for 2023 who are stagnating. For example, Ridzon, Zold and Barcik. For now Strbak also doesn't have a good tournament, he makes a lot of mistakes. But I believe that it is just only loss of form.

 

[Nowotny]

Having said that, his surname is almost certainly Turkish.

Maybe German but definitely not Turkish

 

[JotAlan]

Hmm, interesting question. It’s always hard to make these lists with keeping both current state and potential in mind as prospect development is anything but linear. I’ll take a shot.

1. Dvorsky
2. Slafkovsky
3. Nemec
4. Mesar
5. Molnar
6. Elias
7. Strbak
8. Petrovsky
9. Ciernik
10. Repcik

So many questions with these young prospects however. Will some guys add physical part to their game or add better 2 way play? For example 6-8 months ago I would have had Nemec no.2 but I’ve seen significant improvement in Slafkovsky’s 2 way game and therefore have him higher. Still, I’m sure this list and the other Slovak users lists will change in another few months.

The player who I am looking out for the most is Alex Ciernik, if he can add some more strength, he could rise on this list. I still view Repcik as one of the safer “bets” because even if his offensive game is more limited, his 2 way play and ability to elevate his line makes him a very valuable player.

Interesting all the changes in the evolution of talents in 7 months. How would you reclassify this list currently?