Bojovnik

1. Definitely. If we believe we can keep it up, I think we can do it. 2. It's going to be tough against the top two teams, but we just need to get to the playoffs and then anything can happen. 3. Team's buzzing now. After missing the playoffs last season, I'm desperate to get there this time round. 4. Not sure tbh, that's above my pay grade. 5. I'm a beach man. 6. Spinach or broccoli.

HLOZEK STRUGGLING TO SETTLE IN SOUTH BEACH Miami's Jan Hlozek sits down with CZHockey.com April 1, PRAGUE, (CZHockey.com) – Jan Hlozek expected to take the VHLM by storm after a positive debut season with the Saskatoon Wild in S76, but the Czech defenseman and first-round draft pick has struggled to settle with his new team, the Miami Marauders. The Marauders went into the season top of the VHLM power rankings, and while the team appeared to have a strong roster on paper, the Florida-based team's performance on the ice has left a lot to be desired. The South Beach club currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, out of a playoff spot. Hlozek, who was drafted 6th overall by Miami in the S77 VHLM dispersal draft, told CZHockey that he was desperate to play a part in turning the team's form around. "I definitely wasn't expecting us to be out of the playoff places. I came into the season with hopes that we would be challenging for the cup, but we've struggled all season. Nothing seems to be working at this stage, despite the talent of the guys that we have on the team. It's been tough," Hlozek stated. The Czech defenseman shone in his first season in North America, racking up 59 points in 72 games for the Saskatoon Wild, who failed to make the postseason. Hlozek was eventually drafted 8th overall by the Riga Reign, a pick that some commentators have said was a reach, and the Topolna native said that he was concerned by the prospect of missing the playoffs for a second straight season. "I feel like I can contribute to a team's success. We had a tough start last season in Saskatoon, but we turned our form around and almost made the playoffs. I want to have the chance to show what I can do when the games really matter. Every player will tell you they want a chance to play in the playoffs and compete for a cup, so the thought of not having that opportunity for a second consecutive season is not one I like," he said. The Marauders have struggled all season to pick up wins against the Mississauga Hounds and the Halifax 21st, although in the most recent slate of games, the Florida club managed to eke out a 4-3 victory over Nova Scotia's finest, breaking a run of three consecutive losses against Halifax. "That's the sort of game we need to play. We outshot them, scored twice on the powerplay, and got solid goaltending. If we put all of those things together, I think we can starting going on a run of games," Hlozek told reporters in a press scrum after the game. The Czech defenseman was held off the scoresheet in the win against Halifax, despite having four shots on goal, and a deep dive on his statistics this current season suggest that he has having his fair share of bad luck. Hlozek found the back of the net 13 times last season, shooting at an 11.2 percent clip. In S77 to date, the Topolna native has scored just three times on 57 shots, a shooting percentage of 5.2 percent. "I'm getting pucks to the net. I worked super hard over the offseason on my shot, just shooting pucks all day every day. I just need some of those to start going in, as often we are losing games by the odd goal, and while good for me, it would also be good for the team," he said. Some pundits have predicted that Hlozek could feature in the upcoming World Junior Championship after missing out last season, although the Czech defenseman said that his number one priority was the current VHLM campaign. "Maybe if things were going better I would have more time to be distracted by thoughts of playing in the WJC. However, with things as bad as they are right now, with my team not where I want it to be in the standings, and my game also not where I want it to be, it's very difficult for me to even start thinking about the possibility of playing in that tournament," Hlozek remarked. Hlozek in action for the Czech Republic as a junior After a tough runoff games, the Marauders are set to face the San Diego Marlins and the Ottawa Lynx in their upcoming two games. Last time out against the Marlins, the Marauders won 6-3, and the Florida club also picked up a victory in their most recent game against the Lynx. "We've beaten both of these teams this season, so there is no reason we can do it again. We've struggled all season against Mississauga but they're such a good team [the Marauders have lost all four games against the Hounds in S77 so far]. Against all the other teams apart from the Hounds, we should be in the game and we should be picking up points," Hlozek commented. The move from Saskatoon to South Beach may seem to be an easy choice for most people. Swapping snow and -30 temperatures for round-the-year sun and beaches could be enough to tempt most people, but Hlozek had previously noted his preference to stay with the Wild this offseason, and noted that he was still in touch with some of his former teammates on the Wild. "It was such a fun year with that team. It helped me so much to get to the point where I could be a first-round selection, which is certainly not what I expected when I joined the league last season. I still talk to guys on the team, or who moved on this offseason. I think it's a great organization, and I'm happy to see the success they're having this year. I mean, they're such a well-run team that it's not a surprise to me," he said. Hlozek is now one-quarter of the way through what many expect to be his final season in the minors. Signs of optimism are there for the Marauders, but they still have a way to go before they can even think of being contenders for the title, especially while they still sit outside the playoff places. The team, including Hlozek, have the talent to be challenging at the top of the table. Despite this, they are currently on the outside looking in, with a lot of hard work ahead to drag themselves up the standings.

The Miami Marauders went into S77 with hopes high that they could be in the running for the Founder’s Cup, but 15 games into the season, the Florida-based club sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and may just find themselves soon on the outside looking in. The South Beach club started the season at the top of the VHLM rankings, but a 7-7-1 start to S77 has led to rumours of discontent and possible trades down the line. In the last run of games, the Marauders lost 3-1 to Halifax, before dropping a 2-1 overtime contest to the runaway VHLM leaders, the Mississauga Hounds. Speaking after Sunday’s defeat, Czech defenseman Jan Hlozek, who was predicted to be a frontrunner for the defenseman of the season award, couldn’t hide his frustrations. “We should be in a much better position than we are right now. We’re trying to find a way to get some consistency to our game, but every time we seem to take one step forward, we end up taking two steps back,” Hlozek told reporters. The Topolna native, who scored 59 points in 72 games last season, has only managed to find the net once through the first 15 games of the season, underlining the difficulties he has had in replicating his S76 form. “I mean, I’m shooting the puck, it’s just not going in. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s very difficult at the present moment,” he concluded. The Marauders currently sit just two points ahead of the bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference: the Philadelphia Reapers and the Minnesota Storm.

1. Incredibly frustrating. I thought we were going to be contending given the strength of our roster. 2. I mean, I hope so, but I don't think just making the playoffs was the goal. 3. I should be contributing way more than I am. I don't know if a switch to another side, or something different on the PP. 4. All the guys are good. 5. Nah, not at all 6. I don't make that information public, my partner would kill me.

Czech defenseman Jan Hlozek is settling into life down on South Beach, although the Miami Marauders have flattered to deceive so far during their opening five games of the VHLM season, winning three and dropping two. The Marauders seem to turn a corner in their most recent game, dropping the Mexico City Kings 8-2 in a blowout win, but a pair of losses against conference rivals Mississauga Hounds means that there is work to be done for Florida's team. "It's been a strange start to the season. I think we're close to where we want to be, but of course, losing twice against Mississauga has been a tough blow," Hlozek told reporters after Tuesday's game. Hlozek was one of the players tipped for greatness in S77, what many consider to be his final season in the minors before joining up with the Riga Reign next season. However, the Czech defenseman has looked out of sorts, registering just four points from his first five games, as well as a team-low -3 rating. "I thought I was in good shape coming into this season and I really wanted to perform well. I'm shooting the puck a lot [Hlozek has 17 shots through 5 games], but the puck just isn't going in for me. All I can do is to keep working and hopefully things will turn around," he concluded.

I hope the Wild do well, but I also hope that I score a hat trick against you. Thanks

1. Most definitely. We're going to start as we mean to go on. 2. Mackey or Bonaparte. I'd like to be in the race though 3. Start as you mean to go on. That's the most important thing. 4. After spending a season in Sasky, I have to say anywhere that is cold. Moving down to Miami has been great for my skin. 5. You can't beat fish pie. It's the best. 6. Not really, I can't say that it's for me.

20569999044150395 Season 77 Donation 5 Uncapped TPE Doubles Week 1 Million

G- Calvin Harvey @Hoopydog for the final pick

F- Jeffrey Pines @Beketov

D - General Zod @Quik

thanks

I appreciate the kind words @Doomsday and @Juice . Much respect

F - Jim Bob @Beketov

Riga Reign Take Chance on Hlozek With 8th Overall Pick MARCH 16, (Hockey.cz), Adam Beránek - The Riga Reign left eyebrows raised around the VHL when selected defenseman Jan Hlozek with the eighth overall pick in the S77 Entry Draft. Hlozek appeared to lack the talent of some of the players drafted immediately after him, but Riga think they have found a diamond in the rough, and the Czech blueliner could not contain his excitement after finding out he would be returning to Europe. Hlozek burst onto the scene with the Saskatoon Wild in the VHLM, scoring 59 points in his debut season in North America. His performances started to get scouts talking in the latter stages of S76, but the Wild failed to make the playoffs, potentially lowering the diminutive Czech defenseman’s draft stock. The Topolna native was ranked 13th overall by the VCHS, although some mock drafters believed that Hlozek could be taken at 10th overall, but few were expecting his name to be called by the Riga Reign, even Hlozek himself. “I didn’t know what was happening. I talked with some teams prior to the draft, and I had a good idea where I thought I was going to go. Maybe I don’t want to say which team, but I was certain that I was going to get drafted two or three places later, but I didn’t think Riga would be that interested in me when there were other guys on the board,” Hlozek said during an off-season practice session in Prague. The Czech blueliner had previously expressed his preference for being drafted by a team in the European Conference and said that he couldn’t be happier about relocating to Latvia. “Last year over in Saskatoon was pretty tough, being so far from family and friends. When I want to call home, it is in the middle of the night for them and vice versa. With Riga, it is only like a one-hour flight from Prague. My family can watch my games on TV,” he said. Unlike many of the players drafted before him, Hlozek is set to spend another season in the VHLM before making the jump up to the pros in S78. The Topolna native said that a plan was in place with the team and that he had no problem spending another year in the minors to work on his game. “For me, I know that I’m not ready for the VHL at this stage. I feel that I could do a job, but when I come up, I already want to be producing, I already want to be in a top-4 role. Therefore, I think another year down in the minors is best, and the management staff in Riga were totally in agreement with me,” Hlozek stated. The Reign, who finished in fifth place in the European Conference in S76, have also made other moves throughout the offseason, acquiring free-scoring defenseman James Rose @MattyIce as well as General Zod @Matt_O , a bruising blueliner known for his physical play. However, both of the aforementioned players are in the twilight of their careers, and Riga GM Benjamin Zeptenbergs @hedgehog337 said that the Reign were desperate to add to their D prospect stockpile, to go along with star rookie Linus Zetterstrom @Ledge_and_Dairy “Before this draft, we certainly had a lack of quality defensive prospects. The only D young-un, Chris P Bacon @Chris P Bacon is steadily improving, but still needs some time before he could make it to the big league. So, we knew we need more blue liners that could easily make their way into the roster after James Rose and General Zod will be gone. I picked another D prospect Jere Suominen @Fredoushka8, but our highlight of this draft was a Czech sensation Jan Hlozek who we picked at 8th overall,” Zeptenbergs said at a press briefing after the draft. Commenting on the state of the current Riga roster, Hlozek said that he thought the Reign were in a good place but added that he could not wait to join the full-time roster. “Looking at the roster now, I think Riga are in a great place for next season, as well as the future. I want to really establish myself with this team and bring success to Latvia. I already know how much the fans there love hockey and want to win, and I can’t wait to make these dreams a reality,” the Czech defenseman said. This sentiment was shared by Riga GM Benjamin Zeptenbergs, who said that he thought that Hlozek has all the tools to be a solid contributor at the VHL level. “We've been watching this kid for a while before the draft and we liked his determination and willing to learn the game under Saskatoon’s GM @Doomsday. His playing style also was a good fit for us because we certainly could use a defenseman who is not afraid of making scoring chances. This is a very valuable skill in the VHL so we can see that he already learned some lessons in the minors. “When it was our turn to draft, we didn't think for long. We knew this kid would turn into something special and we are very excited to have him in our team. Can't wait for a moment when he will wear our jersey on regular basis,” Zeptenbergs said. Two days after the VHL Draft, the VHLM teams also made their selection in the S77 Dispersal Draft. Hlozek, one of the highest-rated players up for selection, had previously made his desire to stay with the Saskatoon Wild known, however, the western Canadian club traded down their first round selection, and the Miami Marauders stepped in to take Hlozek with the 6th selection. “At first, I was slightly disappointed, because as I said to another journalist a couple of days ago, I was set on going back to Saskatoon because I had unfinished business there. I wanted to perform for the fans, and get the team back to the playoffs,” Hlozek stated. However, with a couple of days to reflect on his move to Florida, Hlozek said that he was coming round to the idea, as he gets to know his new team. “Miami were a great team last season. They had some of the league’s best players and they were always a tough game for us. Now that I’m here, and I see the guys who were here last season, or the guys joining the team. I think we are in a great position to challenge for the league title, so that excites me,” the Czech defenseman said. As Hlozek enters his second, and likely final, VHLM season, the Czech blueliner said that he only has one goal. “I just want to get better. I want to be on a winning team to build that expectation inside of me. There’s parts of my game that still need work, and I want to make sure I do everything possible so that I can make the Reign roster for opening night of S78,” he concluded. Hlozek is set to move to South Florida in the coming days ahead of the start of the VHLM season, and he has the full support of the Czech people, as he continues his development into one of the country’s finest hockey exports.

F - Thomas Landry II @Quik

Czech defenseman Jan Hlozek will ply his trade in Florida in S77, as the eighth overall pick in the VHL Entry Draft was selected by the Miami Marauders in the first round of last night's VHLM draft. Hlozek had previously spoken of his desire to remain with the Saskatoon Wild, the team on which he began his career in the VHLM one season ago, although the Topolna native said that he would have to adjust to the change. "It's interesting, I spoke in the media about my desire to stay in Saskatoon. I didn't really get any GMs come talking to me, so maybe I thought they had seen my comments in the press, but I guess that wasn't the case. It's kind of disappointing, as I feel that I had unfinished business with the Wild, but I'll get over it and focus on the season," Hlozek said speaking from his home the morning after the draft. The Miami Marauders finished in second spot in the eastern conference in S76, although they fell to the Yukon Rush in seven games in their opening playoff series. Hlozek, who signed a three-year contract with the Riga Reign two days ago, is set to play one more season in the VHLM before making the jump to the pros.

1. Pretty good, I'm glad we got Nikita Wolf over from Saskatoon as well. 2. This is above my pay grade. 3. The other guys are saying Yukon, so I'd go with that. 4. Yeah, I've improved a lot in the offseason, so I'm excited to see how I play when the season starts. 5. Last Chance U, working my way through that. 6. Scuba diving, no doubt.

Claiming week 2 (+ doubles)

Latrell Mitchell - D @Beketov

Bonjour.

Riga

Goodby... No, hello.

You're a bust

1. I'm not gonna lie, I'm hoping that it's going to be me, but you can never be sure about those things. 2. Sadly not, but I'm gunning to appear at the WJC next season. 3. Malmo is probably my favourite 4. It's going to be at like 3am where I'm based, so unlikely. It will be a nice surprise to find out in the morning, or if I get woken up by phone calls. 5. I've been improving my strength, but I want to keep focusing on my scoring. The aim is to be over a point per game next season. 6. I've had my first shot, I'm waiting for my second.