Czech Hockey's 'Wild Thing' Finds Solace in Saskatoon

[Bojovnik 487]

SASKATOON, January 20 – Jan Hlozek is a name known to many in the Czech Republic and few on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The quick-skating defenseman sat down with a mile-long rap sheet sat down with the Star Phoenix newspaper after he made his VHLM debut and made it known that he is looking for a fresh start after years of controversy.

 

Hailing from the small village of Topolna, Hlozek burst on the scene as one of the most promising youngsters to come out of the Czech Republic in decades. Blessed with blistering speed and the ability to thread a pass through the eye of a needle, many predicted the defenseman to become one of his country's finest exports. Few, however, could have predicted what would have come next.

 

Hlozek gained notoriety for partying as hard as he played, and the Czech blueliner was involved in a devastating motor accident four years ago, when he was just 19 years of age, that left him with a broken collarbone and fractured tibia. The Czech starlet lost control of his vehicle while traveling on a backroad from the city of Zlin, where he had been photographed partying with teammates.

 

"It's not a time I look back on fondly," Hlozek said, speaking through an interpreter.

 

The road to recovery was not an easy one, and Hlozek spent nine months going through a rigorous rehabilitation program that eventually led to a return in the Czech lower leagues.

 

"It was different. There was no attention, no money. I had to make changes," Hlozek said.

 

One of those changes was to look for a move abroad. The prying eyes of the Czech tabloid press appeared to be getting to Hlozek, who famously lashed out at a reporter this past summer, and the Czech blueliner declared an interest in playing hockey in North America.

 

"Obviously, guys want to make it to the VHL eventually. I thought that maybe I could make it straight there, but with what has been going on, I wanted to try my best in the VHLM and see what happens. I'm happy with how things have turned out," he remarked.

 

Hlozek eventually put pen to paper with the Saskatoon Wild, the third-placed finishers in the Western Conference in S75, and the man from Topolna said that he was enjoying his start to life in his new surroundings.

 

"It's been a great start. All the guys have been really welcoming and it has been great to get a fresh start where no-one knows about me or much about my past," Hlozek stated.

 

The start of the new season has not been kind to the Wild, who dropped their first two games against the Yukon Rush over the past few days, but Hlozek said there were signs of positivity in how his new team played.

 

"We aren't where we would like to be at the present time, but our guys played hard and the mood in the locker room is great. I'm sure the wins will come in time," the Czech starlet stated.

 

Jan Hlozek might not have made it onto any of the "ones to watch" lists ahead of the VHLM season. However, if the Czech blueliner can finally put it all together, as many thought he could five years ago, Saskatoon might just have found their new "wild thing."

[Dom 1,445]

I like how you managed to make a story that let us believe that your player is talented but is recovering from a major injury. This release the pressure of performance off your shoulders but also shows that you can get good with the hard work. Continue like that and Hlozek will be in the VHL soon enough 8/10

[animal74 1,810]

@Bojovnik What a great story describing your player's journey! Well thought out and very well written. This was an interesting piece to read with a wide vocabulary, poignant details and was neatly structured. Usually, we also like to see some formatting and/or a pic to spice up the Media Spot. Keep writing articles like this and you will pile up the TPE in no time! I look forward to seeing how your player develops. 

 

Review: 9/10