Hlozek Still Has Eyes on Team Success, Personal Glory

[Bojovnik 487]

MAY 31, (TheHockeyUpdate) - Jan Hlozek, a rookie defenseman for the Riga Reign, is settling into life in the VHL, and while the Czech blueliner has his eyes on making the playoffs with the Latvian-based side, Hlozek is also striving after personal success.

 

Hlozek has had a mixed start to life in the pros. After a stunning season last time round that saw Hlozek win a Founder's Cup with the Miami Marauders and World Junior Championship gold with Team Europe, many predicted that the Topolna native would be a frontrunner for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy, awarded to the top rookie of the season.

 

However, the Czech blueliner has struggled on a Riga Reign side that, once again, sits outside a playoff place. Hlozek has scored just one goal through his first 24 VHL games, adding eight assists with a -13 rating.

 

"I knew that the VHL was going to be a tough adjustment. It's the best league in the world, and so I was prepared that there were going to be some struggles. However, I would like to have done better to start my career with Riga, to make it seem like they made a good decision by selecting me in the draft," Hlozek said in an interview.

 

An extended season last time round could be the reason for Hlozek appearing to be slow out of the gates, the Czech blueliner stated.

 

"It was definitely a struggle being in shape at the start of the season. You go from playing in the playoffs, to then going all the way in the World Junior Championship. It's a lot of hockey. I must have played close to 100 games last season. Playing that much hockey, you're bound to be banged up. I had loads of niggling injuries at the end of the season and I needed to rest up and treat them. Maybe that's why I can't find my game at the moment," Hlozek said.

 

Hlozek scored at almost a point-per-game pace in his two seasons in the VHLM, but finding the back of the net is proving to be a more tricky proposition in the big leagues. The Czech defenseman has just one goal from his 50 shots on net.

 

"It's a cliché to say that I'm gripping my stick too hard or snatching at shots because I'm struggling to score. There's just fewer opportunities to walk the line, and there's less time to pick your spot before the opponent is already in your face trying to poke the puck off your stick. Plus, the goalies are better, so all those things together means that it's super important to be ready," Hlozek said.

 

For the Czech defenseman, priority number one at this present time is to get the Reign back into a playoff place.

 

"I know that the guys didn't want to repeat last season and miss the playoffs. We started the season quite well, but we had a rough go over the past week. I think we dropped five straight games, which you simply cannot do if you want to be making the playoffs. The mood in the camp is generally good, although of course, no-one likes it when you're losing. We just have to be better," Hlozek said.

 

The Czech blueliner currently sits in joint 10th in rookie scoring with nine points, and any hopes of winning the Stolzschweiger look far out of reach.

 

"I think before the season, maybe I got too caught up in the talk that I could be a contender for that trophy. Of course, I want to have the best career I can, but as with all players, I'd happily swap personal accolades for championship wins," Hlozek concluded.

 

[Baby Boomer 765]

10/10

Very very well written i like the fact that you make your player speak a lot and that you put some stats in. Plus, it it really easy to ready because you make your text in bold when you make your player speak.