2014 World Junior Hockey Championship – Group A Preview

CZECH REPUBLIC

Last Year: The Czech Republic finished 2nd in their pool last season, but had the unenviable task of facing the constantly improving USA in the quarterfinal, getting pounded 7-0 in that game before beating Switzerland in the 5th place game.

Returning Players:  D Petr Sidlik, Jan Stencil, F Jakub Vrana, Radek Faksa, Vojtech Tomecek

Key Missing NHL players:  none

Ottawa Interests:  none

Key Players:  F – Faksa didn’t have a great tournament last year as an 18 year old (2 assists) but should be a leader for the Czechs as a 19 year old.  D – Sidlik is a small but slick defenseman who plays in the Quebec league so he can play a rugged style and is not afraid to mix it up physically  G- Marek Langhamer is a Phoenix draft pick, but all goalies will be seeing their first WJHC action.

Draft Watch: David Pastrnak and Jakub Vrana are possible first round picks, but not among the elite prospects for the 2014 draft.

Key To Victory:  The Czech Republic are not among the elite teams, nor are they expected to face relegation.  They are in that group that are competitive but lack the top end depth to really contend for a medal.  For them to get to that point, they will have to surprise either Canada or the USA with stellar goaltending and smothering defense.

Projected Round Robin Finish:  The Czechs should be the third best team in the group, but will battle with the Germans and Slovaks to keep out of the relegation round.

Potential Finish:  They simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the elite teams, and will likely face a tough quarterfinal against either the Russians, Finns or maybe even the Swedes.  Likely ticketed for the 5th-8th slot.