Saskatoon’s Hlozek Starts to Make His Mark on VHLM

[Bojovnik 487]

SASKATOON, February 7 – Jan Hlozek will tell you himself that there were some teething problems during his opening games in the VHLM after joining the Saskatoon Wild. The promising Czech blueliner was an under-the-radar signing ahead of S76, but a week to remember for Hlozek shows that he is starting to find his form.

 

As the Star Phoenix newspaper reported back on January 20, Hlozek joined the Wild after a storied junior career in the Czech Republic that was filled with controversy. Few have doubted that he has the talent to go far, but many have questioned his application and his ability to avoid off-ice distractions.

 

Throughout his junior career, Hlozek showed a remarkable ability to generate offense from the backend, although the blueliner only managed to record one point in his first 10 games with the Wild. Many in Saskatoon were left concerned that their team may have struck out with their latest overseas signing.

 

However, a storied night in Halifax on Game 174 saw Hlozek burst onto the scene and give the Wild faithful a glimpse into the player that was advertised in the offseason.

 

With the Wild trailing 3-0 early in the second period, Hlozek went to work. The Czech defenseman went on to register a natural hattrick, dragging his team back into the contest. The game eventually went to a shootout, with the Wild emerging victorious thanks to goals by The Jester and Duncan Montana.

 

Jan Hlozek in action prior to joining the VHLM

 

“It was a fun game, and I was happy to help the team get the win. I’ve wanted to play better and start scoring, and I was happy to finally show the team what I could,” Hlozek said after his career night in Halifax.

 

One gameday later, Hlozek was once again on the three stars list, earning the third star for a three-assist night at home in a 7-3 victory over the Mississauga Hounds.

 

“It’s great to be winning. We want to win games like this and the guys played great. If we can keep this up, I’m sure we will make it into the playoffs,” Hlozek told the press following Game 178.

 

Sitting down with the Star Phoenix ahead of the Wild’s upcoming slate of games, which sees them play the Mississauga Hounds twice over the next three gamedays, Hlozek said that he was starting to feel more comfortable with the Wild, and in Western Canada in general.

 

“I feel good. My English is improving, the guys in the room are great and have been helping me. I trust the coach and I think he is starting to trust me more,” Hlozek remarked.

 

The Czech blueliner stressed that having more confidence on the puck had led to the turnaround in his form.

 

“You know, new league, new team, new country. It is difficult for guys like us coming over to start playing well immediately. Now I’m here, I’ve played 20-something games. I know what to expect on the ice and I know what to do with the puck and without it,” he said.

 

Hlozek may have taken time to adapt to the VHLM, but Braxton Hunter, the Wild’s star forward, has hit the ground running in S76. Hunter sits eighth in league scoring with 59 points in 36 games, and has been instrumental in his team being in the running for a playoff spot this season.

 

“Braxton is such a good player. When he’s on the ice he makes things happen, and it makes it easier for guys like me when he gets so much attention from opposition defenders. We need him to keep playing like he is, but it gives us motivation to step up our game when we see how well he is doing,” he said.

 

The mercury is set to drop to below -35 in Saskatoon on Sunday evening, but Hlozek said that the bitter cold will do little to change his mood.

 

“It has been eye-opening for sure. I don’t remember it ever being this cold in the Czech Republic, but I remember going to Siberia for an international tournament a few years back. I don’t mind it. I’m for sure going somewhere warm in the offseason though,” the Czech blueliner said, adding that his holiday destination of choice was Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

 

Additionally, Hlozek may be more than 7,500 kilometers from home – the eastern Czech village of Topolna, close to the Slovak border – but he said that he was managing to stay in touch with family and friends, despite making the journey over the Atlantic on his own.

 

“I mean, it’s difficult at times because of the time difference, but I can FaceTime my family, friends, former teammates. I miss them, but I’m here to make a career for myself, and I have the full support of everyone back at home,” he said.

 

Hlozek in action for the Czech junior national team five years ago.

 

Nevertheless, Hlozek’s favourite Czech food items, including svickova, a meat and dumplings dish, and Kofola, a Czech-made drink similar to Coca Cola, were hard to source in Western Canada, he said.

 

Hlozek’s name appeared in 29^th place in the VHL S77 draft rankings this past Monday. When asked about the future, the Czech blueliner said that a move closer to home may be on the cards in the future.

 

“I’m trying to focus as much as possible on the current season, but I won’t lie and say that I didn’t have a look at the rankings when they came out earlier this week. Of course, it’s a dream to play in the VHL but I’m fully focused on achieving everything I can with the Wild while I am here. I know there is a team in Prague, a team in Warsaw, a team in Moscow. Playing for one of those teams, where my family could see me play, would be great,” he said.

 

The Wild’s form has dipped over the past four games, and the team still sits in fifth place in the Western Conference, but Hlozek’s production could be the key to ensuring that there is playoff hockey in Saskatoon this season.

 

Spoiler

1,010 words. Claiming for weeks ending Feb. 7, 21

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Bojovnik

[Banackock 8,050]

Awesome work - good to see! Covering off 2 weeks of writing in 1 is a wicked feeling!  @Bojovnik

 

 

Also when tagging you noticed @Bojo and wanted to tell him to make a comeback! 

[Ledge 1,131]

Review: I cannot believe this came from someone so new to the league. This is the gold standard for media spots. The links to related sources, the connection to your past article, the recognition of teammates, the images. I can't think of anything you can improve.

10/10