Claimed:Vojczek Svoboda Biography

[Guest Svoboda_3]

 

Full Name: Vojczek Svoboda
Position: D
Age: 20
Handedness: L
Jersey Number: 3
Height (inches): 6'3
Weight (lbs.): 214lbs
Birthplace: Ostrava, Czech Republic

 

Back Story

Vojczek was born in the United States, but calls Ostrava, Czech Republic home. He was the pride and joy of two loving parents in Oksana and Petr Svoboda. Oksana was a homemaker and Vojczek’s father Petr was a seventeen-year veteran of the NHL, having played with the Montreal Canadians, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Petr played 1,028 games in the NHL as a defenseman, winning the Stanley Cup in 1986 with the Montreal Canadians. The family moved around a lot to accompany Petr’s NHL career, but no matter where the family went, hockey was always going to be the focal point. The skills and abilities of Vojczek came naturally as he emulated his father Petr with visions of one day playing in the NHL. Having been around the game for his entire life, Vojczek soaked up any knowledge thrown his way after various discussions with several NHL stars when hanging out in the many NHL locker rooms.

 

 

Throughout his minor hockey life, Svoboda had always appeared a step or two above the competition, even when playing against boys much older than him. He had an uncanny knack for the game and a real knowledge and passion for learning and trying to perfect the game he loved and admired. When Petr finished out his NHL career, the family returned home to the Czech Republic, where Petr soon turned his attention towards a new career as a player agent. Playing for a junior Czech squad, Vojczek was drafted out of his homeland in the CHL Import Draft by the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. After being drafted into the CHL, Vojczek, from the encouragement from his parents, left home to join the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL in favour of the WHL way of life. The North American game was vastly different than what he was getting used to, and while it didn't take long for Svoboda to re-adapt, it was evident that a brief stop was going to be needed in order for Svoboda to adjust being so far from home for the first time, as well as a different schedule format, not to mention the travel required.

 

Arriving in Green Bay, Svoboda was excited about the challenge that lied ahead. In twenty-four games with the Gamblers, a trial period of sorts, Svoboda posted 2 goals and 14 assists, which was the reassurance he needed, knowing he could make the jump to major junior hockey. Vojczek had to wait until the USHL season concluded, but once it did; his bags were packed, ready to tackle life in Seattle with the Thunderbirds. In his rookie season with the Thunderbirds, Svoboda posted sixteen goals and forty-four assists for sixty points, as well as a plus twenty-one. After his rookie season, NHL scouts took notice and at the NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators drafted Svoboda with the 34th pick after being projected as a mid-to late 4th round selection.

 

During his second and final season with the Thunderbirds, not only did Vojzek represent his country at the World Juniors, but he was named the Thunderbirds' Top Defenseman and Hardest Working Player, potting nineteen goals and fifty-two assists in the process. His plus/minus was also indicative of the strength of his play, as was his hit and shot block totals, which were among the team leader totals. After his sophomore season with Seattle, Vojczek wanted to play pro or semi-pro hockey at a higher level. Not quite ready to make a contract commitment with the Ottawa Senators and unwilling to return home, the only two options were to join the Binghamton Senators of the AHL, play ECHL or Central Hockey League or latch on to the VHL. After sifting through all of his options, in the end, the VHL appeared to be the best league out there to properly propel and prepare a player for the National Hockey League.

 

 

 

VHLM – Turku Outlaws

Bursting onto the scene prior to the Season 37 VHLM Dispersal Draft, Svoboda had been in discussions regarding his draft interest and of course what he could bring to the table for a respective team. Even though the interviews were extensive, no hand was tipped in how the Dispersal Draft would play out. Knowing that he was one of the higher rated prospects, hearing from one inexperienced General Manager that “if he was available in the 3^rd round, they were guaranteed to take the slick Czech rearguard,” that irked Svoboda and from there, his goal was set out to prove some prognosticators wrong. At the draft and in the fifth slot was the Turku Outlaws. By this time, Kimmo Salo, Jake Wylde, Bruno Wolf and Konstantin Azhishchenkov had already been selected. When General Manager John McBride approached the podium and bellowed a mispronunciation of Vojczek Svoboda; it was music to his ears knowing where he would be playing and where his loyalty would lie.

 

 

There had been a lot said about Svoboda and the characteristics that he would bring to the Turku Outlaws. Upon arriving in Turku, immediately Svoboda took charge and from those immediate impressions, Vojczek was named the Outlaws’ captain for the campaign by his peers, which meant the world to the foreigner. During the season in which Turku implied a strong work ethic on and off the ice, as well as a commitment that hadn’t been imposed before, Svoboda and the Outlaws performed admirably. Turku finished with a second place finish in the European Conference and Svoboda himself had a banner season, producing twenty-nine goals, ninety-eight assists for one-hundred and twenty points, as well as finishing with a plus thirty-seven rating, one-hundred and twenty-six hits and one-hundred and twenty-three shot blocks. 

 

During the post-season, Turku outlasted the defending Founder’s Cup champions in the Bratislava Watchmen, en route to a feisty six-game showdown with the Bern Royals. Unfortunately for Svoboda and the Outlaws, they were on the wrong end of the battle and fell in defeat. Putting up another seventeen points in eleven playoff games, Svoboda tied teammate Dimothenis Vlasis for the team playoff scoring lead. Capping off what would be a very proud season in his eyes, Svoboda was a nominee for the Bourque Trophy, but wasn’t given any votes. Another proud moment from his VHLM season came in the form of the Top Prospects Game, where in the contest for Team Nash, Vojczek finished as the game’s 2^nd star, potting a five-point afternoon, including four assists, a plus four and twelve shots on goal. That final game ended Vojczek’s VHLM career, which could only be summed up as successful.

 

International – Team Europe/Team Czech Republic

Throughout his hockey career, Vojczek has had a somewhat successful international career. Svoboda has represented the Czech Republic on several occasions, including his participation in the World U17 Challenge, the U18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, and the IIHF World Junior Tournament as an eighteen and nineteen year old as well, most recently Svoboda was selected to partake in the VHL World Cup, representing Team Europe. Success has been far and in between, but as far as individual accomplishments are concerned, Vojczek, the tournament's Top Defenseman during the Ivan Hlinka Tournament and a First-Team All-Star at the World Juniors, are just two standout accomplishments for Vojczek.  Most recently during the VHL World Cup, Svoboda and his Team Europe squad fell short of the ultimate prize and had to settle for a silver medal. It wasn’t a great showing for Vojczek, finishing with only one goal in twelve games, but it was the experience that was the most rewarding. With a desire to succeed and apply his trade at the VHL level, the sky is the limit as well as another opportunity to represent Team Europe in the future again to try and avenge the gold medal loss suffered at the hands of Team Canada.

 

VHL – Helsinki Titans

After the VHLM playoffs were done and the Prospects Game was out of the way, it was time to turn the focus towards the highly anticipated Season 38 VHL Entry Draft. There wasn’t a doubt throughout hockey circles that Svoboda had done enough to garner himself as the Top Prospect heading into the draft. Although the surprise had been tarnished, the excitement surrounding this historic event still sung loudly. Having won the Draft Lottery a few weeks prior, the Helsinki Titans were balls deep in their investment of Vojczek Svoboda. Not only did the Titans have Jake Wylde to build a defense core around, but Helsinki also had several others assets to try and repair a ravaged, yet once proud organization. So with that, the Helsinki Titans continued to build upon their defense by making the young Czech. the first overall selection in the VHL Entry Draft.

 

 

During training camp, Svoboda impressed and didn’t appear out of place either. Not only was this a major accomplishment for he and his family, but it was the perfect fit with his newest family, the Helsinki Titans. Through eleven games in his rookie season, the struggles that have been experienced are expected, but in those eleven contests, Svoboda has two goals and eight assists for ten points, a minus one with twenty-one hits and a team-leading thirty-two shot blocks. They aren’t terrible numbers by any stretch, and considering the issues that continue to plague the Titans, these numbers are actually on par. Signed to a three-year, seven million dollar contract, the goal for Svoboda and his agent is to remain with the Helsinki Titans for the duration of his VHL career. Svoboda loves the direction the team is headed in, as well; he has fallen in love with the city and the fans. His current teammates are also a big reason that the Titans are a perfect fit.

 

Pros

Skating: For a big guy with a big presence, Vojczek is a very fluent skater. Not only does he make it look effortless, but he’s got such superb lower body strength which propels his stride. Whether it is in a foot race for the puck or transitioning between skating forward and backward, the skating ability of Svoboda is clearly one of his strengths. Vojczek pivots extremely well, starts and stops with ease and has the capability to avoid getting beat wide by the opposition.

 

Positioning: As mentioned, Vojczek has tremendous skating abilities and to accommodate that strength, it allows Svoboda the ability to possess excellent positioning. In the defensive end, Vojczek has the capacity to use his body to rub out his opponents along the boards without taking a penalty. His active stick disrupts passing lanes and he is always in position to set himself up for a shot block. Vojczek is extremely difficult to play against and with that, there are times where his hockey IQ and positioning can frustrate the opposition.

 

Leadership: Despite the language barrier at times, Svoboda has proven to not only be a leader on the ice with his play, but he’s a vocal character on the bench and in the dressing room. A captain at every level he’s participated in, including last season in Turku and this season with Helsinki, Svoboda does the right things to lead by example and says the right things to pick up a fellow teammate who might be struggling. Svoboda has the personality to motivate and encourage others around him. He embraces the leadership role and will do almost anything to win and be a good teammate.

 

 

Cons

Physicality: Playing a physical game isn’t exactly Svoboda’s forte. While it has come a long ways since his earlier days in the Czech Republic, it still isn’t where it needs to be and maybe it’s just a matter of the young Czech not responding to that type of game. Some are more inept to that area and some just prefer to play one specific style. From his days in Seattle to Turku last season, his physical strength has come a long way and his presence physically has also made strides. It’s still a work in progress.

 

Decision Making: Although his hockey IQ is right up there with some of the best the game has to offer, one area of concern is Svoboda’s decision making. What we mean by this is that instead of having an extra look in the defensive end, Vojczek may tend to just rip it out along the boards, as opposed to taking an extra minute to make the smarter play. In the offensive end, you might see the puck being rimmed around the boards, and instead of assessing all of his options with the puck, there are times where Svoboda might just throw the puck at the net, or in other scenarios, fire it right at the shin pads of an opponent, leading to a rush the other way. It’s important for Svoboda to develop that patience to make better decisions.

 

Dealing With The Media: This area is something that Vojczek will have to get accustomed to more and more as he enters the spotlight in the VHL and possibly the NHL down the road. For instance, in Seattle, the media was present, but not like you would see in a market like Calgary with the Hitmen or in Kamloops with the Blazers, so there was the odd interview. Leading up to the draft and not having been through a lot of those instances, it became overwhelming for the young Czech. Slowly but surely, the idea of having to deal with the questions will come with the frequency, but in the meantime, this is all still new to Svoboda and he will have to take it in stride.

[Will 4,660]

Overview- 3/3 

This was a very thorough story on the life and times of Vojczek Svoboda. You gave a nice little summary of his childhood and family information, and then went, step by step, through each stage of his hockey career up to this point. I found this to be very descriptive and overall extremely well-written. I wish you good luck on everything the future holds for Svoboda.

Grammar- 2/2 

Wow, didn't find a single thing! Nice work.

 

Presentation- 1/1 

Looks good.

Pros- 2/2 .

279 words. Looks good. Svoboda's leadership skills definitely show prominently, and the Titans' should be very pleased that they have someone with such characteristics. 

 

Cons- 2/2 

363 words, also looking good. Hopefully Svoboda's lack of physicality doesn't affect his game too much in the VHL, and hopefully his decision making improves with experience. As for dealing with the media, just pretent you can't speak english like Malkin.

 

Overall- 10/10

Edited May 30, 2014 by Draper

[Smarch 3,153]

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