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hewasajazzman · 03-17-2023, 05:44 AM

s70 SMJHL Draft Prospect Alexej Kastrba

[Image: rangers-forward-barclay-goodrow-enters-covid.jpg?v=1]

With the S70 draft looming, one of the freshest faces bursting onto the SMJHL scene is Alexej Kastrba. Some may recognize the surname from a couple of different players over the past 30 or so seasons. Alexej models his game after his predecessors while bringing his own style to the table. He looks forward to being drafted into the SMJHL but is careful not to get ahead of himself, more focused on taking things one day at a time. This is a more detailed look into the life and player that is Alexej Kastrba.

Alexej was born in Brno Czechia and is the youngest offspring to SHL forward David Kastrba. David played from s41 to s60 and was loyal to his team in both the Junior and Major leagues, the Vancouver Whalers and Manhattan Rage respectively. The patriarch made his name from being a swiss army knife of sorts, able to fill a number of different roles, all the while having a defensive and physical upside. After David’s hockey career came to a conclusion his oldest son Eddie, Alexej’s older brother, entered the league and was drafted in the s60 SMJHL Draft to the Carolina Kraken. Eddie anchored Carolina’s defense as a shutdown defenseman throughout his stint in the Juniors but failed to develop into an SHL star. Of the 5 seasons Eddie was eligible to play in the Majors he only played in 2, being picked up in Free Agency by Texas in s66 and Minnesota in s68, as a depth defenseman. Although the Kastrba’s played for American SHL teams, the family kept one foot planted in their homeland of Czechia. Both players were able to represent their country in the WJC and IIHF tournaments, a tradition Alexej will keep alive for the bloodline.

Hockey has been a constant in Alexej’s life since before he can remember. He is thought to be a sort of good luck charm as his father won the Challenge Cup with the Rage in the year Alexej was born. Some of his earliest and fondest memories are of attending his dad’s games with the rest of his family during David’s final handful of seasons. Back home in Czechia, Alexej was eager to join his siblings for games of pick up with the neighborhood kids. It is often joked that he learned to skate before he could walk. Being the youngest of the bunch wasn’t always easy or welcoming but Alexej didn’t let that drag him down. Studying his father’s style of play led him to realize that being reliable and using your strengths to your advantage can be just as important to a team as a more skilled player. He also learned how to shut down opposing players from the defensively gifted Eddie before the brother headed out to start a career of his own. Combining those two philosophies he was able to find his game as a grinder. While physicality will always be a part of his game… Alexej’s main focus is being strong on the puck, especially in the dirty areas, and making life as tough as possible for the opposing players. It is important to him to stay true to his roots while bringing a different attitude to his game and he hopes that will put him on some teams radars.

While the s70 SMJHL draft is quickly approaching Alexej has made it a point to train hard, refine his game, and not allow his head lost in the clouds. He wants to be as realistic as possible with himself and potential scouts, letting things come to him as they may and not worrying about what the future may or may not hold. He expects to be an integral part of a lineup but understands that a bottom six role is most plausible given his skill set. Alexej has no real preference on what team drafts him or at what position in the draft, though he does like the idea of making a name for himself on teams his priors may not have been considered by. His only concern after the draft is that first game and learning how to be the best player he can be for his team while keeping his integrity and convictions. He would be happy to join any team that will have him and is willing to work with them by any means possible.

That's the low down on the s70 newcomer. Alexej has high hopes for the days to come and wishes luck to all other s70 SMJHL draft prospects. He can’t wait to get out on the ice with his new team and form new bonds with all of the great players the league has to offer, whether they be a teammate, challenger, or even a rival.

837 words

***Anthique*** · 03-17-2023, 04:28 PM

Good luck at the draft!

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