Riga Reign Take Chance on Hlozek With 8th Overall Pick

[Bojovnik 487]

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 13^th overall by the VCHS, although some mock drafters believed that Hlozek could be taken at 10^th 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 6^th 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.

 

Spoiler

1,225 Words, Claiming for weeks ending 28.03, 04.04

 

 

Edited March 16, 2021 by Bojovnik

[Prout 373]

Review; nice format to this article it could use maybe colour text/ boldness different character sizes to keep it less “dry” looking. I like for people talking you added this. But overall nicely done. I like the VHLM stats added in also that was a good add! 7/10

[Doomsday 4,145]

@hedgehog337 and Riga got a real gem with you, can't wait to see you soar in the pros!

[Juice 641]

@BojovnikAlthough I got moved to the Yukon Rush as GM before I was able to hit the VHL draft with Malmo, I am still sad to see you not end up there as you are still one of the biggest steals in my eyes. You're a first-gen that everyone dreams to draft and I can't wait to see what you do with Riga

[Bojovnik 487]

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