Hello, and we welcome all of you back to SuperAustrian news sports coverage. Yesterday was the season 61 entry draft into the SMJHL, and we saw many young talented players picked up by teams with championship asperations this year. one team that obviously stands out to us was the Timbers in Maine, they selected our tealented defenseman Luke Kovacsova. Luka was at home watching with his family and close friends as he got the phone call to be selected in the 5th round, 52nd overall. Maine had a wonderful draft, mostly for selecting the best player in the draft in Luka, but we reached out to our coaches and scouts in our pro league over here to get some scouting reports on the teams draft and their championship future as well as got a hold of Luka this morning for a post draft question to get his thoughts on his future and what he see's next for his bright young career. Thank you for tunning in again and we will see you all soon.


Randy Marsh, Right hand defenseman. Austria. 6'1 210
Marsh pairs excellent size at 6-foot-1 210, with strong skating ability. Marsh has an excellent skating stride. This gives him good speed in both directions, especially given his size. His first few steps and acceleration are also well above-average. Marsh has good edgework and makes quick pivots. His agility allows him to move well laterally, both in the offensive and defensive zones. Marsh has decent balance. This can improve as he continues to add core body strength in the coming years. Marsh is already pretty good on the boards and in front of the net, especially in facing players in his age group.
Marsh moves the puck up the ice with good stickhandling and quick skating, as well as the ability to make a strong first pass. He transitions the puck out of his zone and is able to carry it effectively through the neutral zone. He is even willing to lead the rush at times. The stickhandling and poise with the puck on his stick is also useful on the power play, as he is able to control the play and set things up at the point. Marsh has good vision and can set up teammates on the rush, as well as in the offensive zone.
Marsh also has a very good arsenal of point shots. He has the smarts to pick his spots. Marsh likes to sneak down from the point, getting off a quick wrist shot with a good release. His slap shot is also above average. He is able to keep it low and on the net to get rebounds as well as provide his teammates with the opportunity to deflect pucks and screen goalies. His shots should continue to add even more power as he gets stronger. He will also need to learn how to effectively walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes.
Defensively, Randy Marsh plays a physical game, looking to throw a big hit if an opposing forward challenges him down his side of the ice. However, he can get himself out of position looking for those hits and must become more disciplined. There is intriguing upside here but it should be noted that Marsh is a long-term prospect as he will need some coaching on his positional play. He won’t be able to get away with some of the things he does in the defensive zone when he faces tougher competition.
“Mobile right-shot defender with good instincts and a projectable frame. A little rough around the edges, but that doesn’t hide his massive upside. An athletic piece of clay just waiting to be moulded into a work of art.”
“It is extremely rare to see a highly-touted draft-eligible player coming out of the Austrian league, but Marsh is all that and more. The right-shot defender witnessed his stock steadily rise throughout the course of the season, and begin to skyrocket in the back half. This was due to his increased role on the Championship winning, Jokinovich squad … He was also named as one of the league’s top rookies of the year. Marsh completed his year on another high note, becoming one of the youngest defensemen to score a goal at the Bantam World Championships. The 17-year-old blends impressive physical tools with high processing speed and decision-making. This leads to consistent and accurate reads on both ends of the rink. His upside is tantalizing.”
“At the Bantam world championship pool … we saw the best of Marsh. He was the best defenseman in the tournament as a double underage player. He’s got great athletic tools as a 6-foot-1 defenseman who skates well. He uses his feet to join attacks often and can make plays at speed. Marsh’s main criticism from scouts is his lack of standout puck skill and that he won’t be a true power play guy in the SMJHL. With that said, he has decent touch and makes plays. He moves the puck well, showing great poise and instincts.  Defensively he’s a rock with his wingspan, feet and defensive acumen, and projects as a tough minutes player in the SMJHL. He is one of the best Austrian prospects in recent memory.”
A big, smooth-skating Austrian blueliner with physicality, sound instincts and leadership qualities, Marsh, when given the opportunity, has handled a top-four role against adult-age competition with aplomb. His dominant play in all three zones at the Austrian first division under-20 world juniors not only led Austria to the title that vaulted them into the top bracket for next year’s tournament, but also reinforced his standing as a first-round quality prospect with legitimate top-pairing potential at the highest level. One of Marsh’s most noticeable qualities is how smart he is with or without the puck. Blessed with an acute sense to predict the opponent’s intentions, Marsh quickly transitions from standing up at the blue line like a brick wall, to a quick poke and pass that leads his mates to a counterattack. His physicality, reach and quick feet combine to make the majority of 1-on-1 attempts die quickly above the circles. Additionally, Marsh will fix a puck carrier into the corner for either a low-percentage centering attempt or a smothering check into the boards. Cross-ice passes originating from the strong side get broken up with regularity, and you can make a strong case for Marsh being the best in his draft class at owning and maintaining positioning in the low slot.
Marsh’s offensive prowess appears limited, although he has shown confidence and reliability with his puck carrying. You rarely see him painted into a corner, and he uses smart dump-ins or lobs to buy additional time. He likes to join the rush and will venture well into the circles or slot as a trailer. He owns an excellent shot, both for its velocity and accuracy. He isn’t your classic power-play quarterback, but he has soft hands to handle crisp, cross-ice passes and hammer one-timers on net. One thing to keep an eye on are injuries, as Marsh missed two sizeable chunks of the schedule due to issues with his shoulder, and also suffered a concussion after being hit from behind at the Bantams world championship in May.
Randy Marsh will likely never be a top level powerplay quarterback or set the league pace for points by defensemen. But what he does offer is a well-rounded player who can play in all situations and take on the tough minutes against the top opposition players. He also appears to be the type of player that will help drive play the right direction with his ability to get the puck quickly up to his teammates and strong intelligence reading the play. You can envision him one day being the steady do it all partner, Many reports describe him as a surefire top 4 defenseman, but the question will be if he can elevate himself to a top pairing role that his future team needs?
In terms of his immediate future, you likely won’t see him donning the SHL uniforms these next 2 or 3  seasons but it could be sooner rather than later. Marsh already is developing himself among other pros and his timeline would seem to project him making the jump sooner than most draft picks. But where he plays in the mean time is very much up in the air. He could stay home in Austria playing for his home team or join his SMJHL team for S61 season further honing his skills. He may also make the jump to the SHL after 1 year, facing better competition Bet on seeing him start the season in SMJHL and crossing over to play in SHL  either during their S65 season or sooner if ice time becomes available.

Rusty Remao, Goaltender, Japan.  6'0 222
Add Remao to the list of “smaller” goalies whose quickness is a tremendous part of his overall ability to stop pucks. Remao stays quite low in his butterfly and is willing to leave a good chunk of the net open when challenging shooters on the power play or during odd-man rushes. This tactic seems to lull forwards into thinking the young goalie is over-committing and susceptible to a backdoor or cross-crease pass, which gives off the impression that he causes more forced passes than medium or high-danger shots against. Remao’s glove and blocker hands are very quick
The young Japaneese goalie was spectacular at both the Bantam worlds tournament and the IIHF Under-18. He also put up a .921 save percentage against men in the Japaneese second division. While he is a little shorter than the prototype goaltender in the SMJHL, he makes up for it with his athleticism. Remao’s legs are exceptionally quick, and he takes away the bottom of the net in his butterfly. He also has a very good butterfly. He needs to work with a good goalie coach to refine his game. Remao could use improvement in cutting down angles. He also has a tendency to slide too far when he moves side-to-side.
During the season he transitioned from a more physical slanted stance of the low/wide variety to a more technical slanted stance of having his legs upright and upper body being compact with his hands in close to his body. This transition happened because he prefers to use his technical skill with his physical skills being the supplementing factor rather than the other way around. Rameo is able to be successful in using this play style due to having a good understanding of the goaltending position and being patient on his feet. It can be a bit of struggle for him though in sticking with his patient, technical style of play because he knows his physical skills can be a primary tool. He’s quick and efficient on his feet which is why he does his best to stay on his feet as long as possible. When Rameo needs to activate his edges he’s just as quick as he is when he’s on his feet. What I’d like to see is more control when Rameo activates his edges as it’s at a good level now but there are noticeable moments where he ends up off-angle and out of position.
When he breaks from his primary style of play he ends up being over active in net. He’ll react to every movement of the puck wasting energy and putting him a bit further behind the play every time. This happens on long range shots as well making him vulnerable to any deflections that happen on the way to the net because he moves aggressively in front of shots despite the traffic. He does well enough in recovering in these situations at the current level but at higher levels will find himself at a disadvantage if he doesn’t learn to trust his puck tracking more and not react so much to plays. It’s this over activeness that hurts his rebound control. In 2/3 tournaments tracked Rameo has posted a below average Impact Rating on Low Danger Area shots because of the rebounds that he’s letting out.
And his puck tracking deserves to be trusted because it’s very good. It’s also partially the reason why he’s over active in net because he’s able to see the puck’s every movement so he believes he needs to react to everything he sees. It saves him though when it comes to recovering on his rebounds as he’s able to get back in front of the rebounds to make the save. You’d like to see him eliminate the need to recover on his rebounds so often though. The other aspect of his game I’d like to see improved upon revolves around his play near the posts. On behind-the-net plays he’s still trying to figure out how best to move from post-to-post on his knees as well as learning how to best track the puck when it’s behind the net. When he’s on his feet he showed inconsistent decision making when near the posts. It looked like he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to overlap the post or end up on the post when it came to sharp angle plays off the rush. Needs to make a decision and go with it to prevent dangerous chances occurring or goals.
When it came to playing the puck he was good at it and showed he’ll play the puck in any situation but is capable of recognizing when he needs to cover it. Generally I liked his decision making with the puck and he has average power when it comes to clearing or passing the puck. It’s a small issue but you’d like to see him be a bit stronger with the puck if he continues to play the puck with heavy pressure on him.
Going by SMJHL Central Scouting rankings, Rusty Rameo is the best European goaltending prospect available in this year’s draft. He surprisingly leapfrogged everyone else at the last minute in the final ranking, despite othersk having a much better pedigree leading up to that point.
Rameo is the smaller of the two Japaneese netminders, but at 6-foot-0, size shouldn’t be a major concern. It does, however, force him to play a more aggressive style. He forces shooters when he can, and shows a pretty good grasp of situational awareness for a young goalie. He’s able to reach back door plays because of his explosiveness – both from a standing position and while in the butterfly. This skill also shines through in his post integration. Some of his greatest saves come while moving across and pushing from his post while in the Butterfly position.
While he is very adept at closing off the lower portion of the net, this can sometimes become an issue because of a tendency to seal the ice instead of remaining on his feet. Plays through the middle of the ice can be a challenge for any goaltender, but Rameo especially struggles in this area. It is even more noticeable when a screen is involved, which seems to really throw off his ability to track the puck. He’s a good skater, but developing more confidence in his skating and ability to hold his edges will be a crucial area to keep an eye on as he makes his way up the ranks in the hockey world. With his size, it is an absolute necessity that he becomes a top-tier goaltender in this regard.
When comparing Rameo to other goalies Rameo comes out on top in terms of quickness and the “athleticism” tag that scouts enjoy throwing around. Some others can be certainly more polished and excels in areas that usually transfer over better to the professional game. The potential deal breaker is that Rameo has one of the higher ceilings of this draft class. That alone should fuel a lot of interest come draft time.

Big Newff, Right hand shot, Left Wing. Canada, 6'0 144.
Big Newff has been ascending draft rankings all season long. The mid-sized winger lacks size and strength, but ultimately possesses some of the flashiest offensive moves from any draft prospect. Having terrific speed and acceleration, Newff blows by defenders with ease. He also has slick hands that can turn a defenseman inside out.
In the Canadian leagues, Newff put his offensive capabilities at the forefront scoring 24 points in 20 games (a tough achievement for a 17/18 year old. Furthermore, he’s an excellent passer and reads the game at a high speed.
The real issue in his game is his toughness and ability to play against stronger players. His offensive potential is through the roof, but speed and skill can only get you so far. Eventually a big player will put a body on Newff and fans will have to see how he adjusts.
Newff is a flashy, electrifying offensive talent with gifted hands and shiftiness in his feet. He also has a bullet shot and is a very dangerous finisher. He uses quickness and good lateral elusiveness to avoid bigger opponents
Smaller wing/centre who has great feet and hands and tons of dangle and nose for the net. Really good when he has the puck and handles it whether he has open space or under pressure. One-on-one he is a joy to watch, as he seems to have a holster full of moves that thwart defenders. Drives the lanes aggressively and is good in traffic. Displays a quick release and rocket shot that catches goalies by surprise. Not a burner North-South or great defensively yet, but he moves quickly laterally and turns and jukes and provides plenty of excitement for those in the seats.
Newff is an exciting offensive player hailing from the land of canada who has flair and loves to be dangerous. He thrives in situations where he can carry the puck and dish it off when he feels fit. Also tends to be strongest when incorporating an east-west game while on the attack. In the offensive zone, he does like to lug the puck and fake passes and shots while searching for just the right moment to make the killer play. Maintains good control of the puck and can use his body well in protecting it. Is very agile in making his twists and turns, especially when he has the puck, and isn’t afraid to try a number of things as part of the attack. Very good hands and craftiness once he has the puck, he also likes to hound opposition players, especially defensemen, in forcing turnovers, ready to pounce on them in hopes of creating two-on-one or breakaway situations. In addition, his shot has improved in leaps and bounds since coming to SMJHL and can be lethal from all over, particularly when using opponents as a screen.
Newff hasn’t always shown the intensity to be a player in big games. Can handle the rough stuff, but too much of it turns him into a bit of a perimeter player. His still undersized frame doesn’t help that situation. Also tends to make poor decisions in trying to make the ‘super’ pass. Can also be physically slowed down in corners and held behind the play. Defensive zone coverage is clearly not a passion of his. He also has times where he seems more concentrated on deking out defenders than actually making a simple, effective play. Still has a ways to go before being a playmaker of sorts, even if he traditionally gathers more assists than goals.”
Big Newff is an extremely good skater, with good speed and an excellent first step and acceleration.  He also has great edgework and agility helping him to elude defenders off the rush.  Newff has a great ability to beat defenders by changing speeds and can do this both on the rush and in the cycle game.  He can dart into the smallest of openings and create a scoring chance. Newff also has very good balance.  He is strong on his skates which helps him in protecting the puck, winning board battles and fighting through checks.   He could win more puck battles if he adds muscle to his frame though as he is a bit skinny for his size right now.
Newff is very creative with the puck, he has excellent stickhandling, very quick hands, and a wide array of moves.  He is able to use his skating skill and his quick hands to be a nightmare for defenders off the rush.  If they back off too much to respect his ability to get past them, he can unleash a powerful and accurate wrist shot which features a very quick release. While he profiles as more of a sniper than a playmaker, Newff is a good passer and has good vision to find open linemates.
Newff’s defence is very much a work in progress.  He needs to bring a better and more consistent effort level on the back check, and not just float in the zone.  He also has a tendency to puck watch and get himself out of position at times.  He will need some coaching and development before he is ready to play at the SMJHL level.
Newff’s style is comparable to David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, though this is a style comparison and not a talent one.  In terms of potential Newff has offensive skill and can be a top six winger in the SMJHL, he is very good on the powerplay and his speed will really help his team in the transition game if he can add muscle and defensive play.
A left winger who shoots right, Newff is listed at 6 foot 0 inches and 144 pounds. His style of play has been compared to Pasternak by other scouts,  “He handles the puck & competes. There’s guys that score 50 goals and are shy in the corners. He’s going to be one of them,”  Maine’s director of amateur scouting.
“It was an unreal moment. I was waiting for it all day and I was getting nervous. I’m really happy Maine chose me and believes in myself. I just want to make them proud of me,” Newff told Canada 1 one news network “I look up to  David Pastrnak, of course. Great player, great skill. I think we play the same style of game. That’s exactly the guy that I should watch. He’s not just good offensively, he plays perfect defense, helping the team.”
“Big is an offensive-minded player with smooth hands, great instincts and a very quick shot,″ according to SMJHL Central Scouting’s team.
“He’s an excellent skater with speed and acceleration. He’s very smart on ice but will need more weight and strength to excel at the next level. He’s creative and dangerous in 1-on-1 situations.”
Newff is, essentially, what the Timbers need right now: a skilled offensive guy who shoots right-handed. His scouting report from our scouting team reads like it was ripped from a SMJHL daydream: "flashy, electrifying offensive talent," "gifted hands," "bullet shot," "dangerous finisher." That sound you just heard changing his profile picture to one of he and Newff. Did the Timbers draft him with that in mind, or has a collision of circumstances simply sped things up? Probably the latter. But regardless, Newff's skill set is, essentially, exactly what this team needs right now.
One of the MSM knocks on Newff has been his size; after all, the kid is 18 and has plenty of growing to do. However, is it really a big deal? Newff's official measurements (which have probably changed) are 6'0", 144 lbs. He's not exactly a bruiser. Would an extra 15 lbs. help Newff? Sure. But his size isn't the be all, end all when it comes to making the cut.
While it's true that Newff made a few good defensive plays in the rookie tournament, there seems to be a consensus that his D needs work (not exactly surprising for an 18-year-old scorer). While Newff wouldn't be put on this team to kill penalties, he can't be a slouch in his own end. Do you remember what happened to the last couple first round picks who earned reps as "offense-first" players? If Newff makes this team, he's going to be on one of the top two lines.

Michael Robertson, Right Hand Left side defenseman. USA, 6'4 206
First off, there's no doubting that Robertson is every bit of the 6-4 206 lbs. that he is listed at. He's a monster out on the ice. He's not quite an all-world skater, as you'd expect from a player that huge. But he's a good enough skater that combined with his size, he's an effective defender.
His size advantage allows him to be very aggressive defending on his own blue line and forcing the opposition to dump the puck into the zone rather than gaining clean zone entry. His footwork defending one-on-one is okay at the high school level, but something he could struggle with against faster competition at the SMJHL level. His pivots were a little rough, but again, he made every defensive play that he had to, largely because of all the space he takes away due to his size. He doesn't make a lot of open ice hits, but competes hard along the boards and uses his size to gain leverage effectively.
What makes Robertson especially unique as a prospect is that he also brings a bit of offensive upside. He has 61 points in 96 career games in his high school games. As you'd expect from a player his size, he's got a very heavy shot, and he does an excellent job of keeping his shots low and creating rebound opportunities. He handles and passes the puck adequately, which is impressive at his size. He's capable of rushing the puck up the ice and with his size, it's very difficult to knock him off the puck or slow him down, so he's effective at gaining entry into the offensive zone.
If there was one question mark on the offensive side of the ice, it was his decision-making with the puck. Too many times in the one game when he gained the offensive zone, he fired lazy wrist shots on goal rather than keeping possession and looking to make a better play. He was much better with this in the following game on Saturday night though, so it's likely not a huge issue, and at least it appears to be a coachable issue.
In terms of his future, it wouldn't be a surprise to see his name called earl). He'll need at least a full season or two in the minor leagues to adjust to the pace of pro hockey. But given time and continued development, he could be a very solid second or third pairing defenseman at the SMJHL level. He's not going to be the next Zdeno Chara, but he'll be a strong defender, and provide enough offense to offset whatever issues he has against faster players. Finding a player of his talent 40 picks into a Draft isn't an easy thing to do. For a 4th round draft pick, Robertson can be quite a home-run, but definitely at least a solid triple.
Robertson may not have attracted a great deal of attention from the hockey scouting community this year, but it wasn't because he wasn't involved in big  Robertson was part of the USA Bantam squad that captured the Gold medal at the annual World Junior A Challenge. The usa bantam squad overcame losses to Austria and Team Canada in the preliminary round to post three straight wins over the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, Sweden, in the semifinal, and Japan, by a 1-0 score in the Gold medal game.
Later, after a regular season in which he was tied for fourth among USAHS defensemen in scoring -- and posted the 4th-highest assist total (53) of any USAHS player -- Robertson and the team advanced all the way to the USAHS's Chanpionship Cup Final before falling to the eventual champs four games to two.
"The first thing you will notice about Michael will be his size. He uses his size effectively by breaking up plays and defending very well. His ability to move the puck efficiently will be a big asset to our D core and our transition game. We are looking for Michael to eat up the large amount of minutes left vacant with the departure of our three seniors."
Michael's maturity and his continued improvement throughout the year was a direct result of his determination on and off the ice. He is a player that is consistently striving to better himself. the SMJHL is not only getting a great player, but an even better person. We know that he will be an impact player at the SHL level."

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Defensively Robertson is very solid, even versus men in the college programs in the US. He can be physical and deliver big hits, even if he does not look to engage on a regular basis. The big Swede also has an active stick that he uses very well at his own blue-line, and is good at channelling opponents to the areas he wants them to be when he has his gap. He is also, however, prone to inconsistency, and at times gets outsmarted or overwhelmed in all zones playing against men. Some of this may well be due to the fact he is a late-bloomer, who does not have the experience playing at a high level prior to this season many of his peers have, as before this season he had only played two SuperElit games.
Robertson is a project, who will certainly take time and patience to develop, but it is easy to see him becoming a great middle pairing defenseman with the combo of size, skating and skill.
While they differ in handedness, this man has numerous aspects of his game that echo the 2019 cup-winners. Both physical freaks with beautiful skating and pace to burn, they transition the puck up ice with aplomb. Furthermore, they both have fantastic shots that they could maybe look to use even more than they do, and are very dangerous once set-up in the offensive zone as a result. Like Robertson, despite being highly skilled Robertson is not the most creative player in the offensive zone, and produces at 5v5 in a utilitarian manner. The two are also physical around the net and along the boards, and are great at their own blue-line in terms of breaking up plays with aggressive stick-work. If Robertson can improve his consistency and have a higher “minimum level” going forward he could have a similar impact at SMJHL level.
Plays with a bit of a physical edge, but doesn’t chase for hits; takes mostly smart gaps but could stand to be more aggressive in stepping up in the play; showed improvement in playing down low but isn’t exactly a plus player with the puck on his stick; solid passing vision and a nice shot, but defers to other players too often at times. Skating seems to have taken an extremely mild step back, with occasional lapses in crossovers and edgework, but nothing worrying; glaring issues with communication with his partner and a refusal to trust him to make the right play; uncharacteristically caught out of position numerous times as a result of miscommunication. Can be effective in transition, but clearly isn’t comfortable in the role of primary puck mover.
The player is good, and that’s the bottom line. The analytical profile is deceptive, as is the eye test without added context. Trust me here, because I want the Timbers to be better; he’s a piece that could make this roster a legitimate Cup favorite if the rest of the team can finally get it together and put the damn puck on net.
Robertson has continued his ascension and further solidified that he can play at an elite level. Throughout 2015-17, Robertson would score eleven goals and gather 27 assists while staying in the positive plus/minus rating each season in High School . He would also continue to increase his average time on ice to 22:15 and then 25::28 – a whopping seven more minutes than when he entered the league showing the trust to at the coaching staff has in his abilities.
To say that Michael Robertson has developed nicely in the right system would be an understatement, and while his stellar play continues to fly under the radar, he’s probably okay with that as long as the TImbers train keeps chugging along.

Ida-mae Mann, Left hand shot, Center. 6'2 205, Canada.
Sublime two-way talent with jaw-dropping moves and a proclivity for making defenders look silly. Sure, he’s beyond wiry and could stand to spend more time with a fork in his hands, but every other block is checked. He can play either center or wing, and owning a ridiculously soft set of hands makes him a perfect fit for any power play. Saying Mann is your typical Canadian two-way pivot is too easy a way out. There’s a uniqueness about him, and his puck handling abilities are buttery smooth. As lanky as he looks, Mann is a bonafide assassin who absorbs hits while controlling the puck with his head up. He can handle a tough pass better than practically any of his draft peers. Mann isn’t an explosive skater with first-step quickness but can gain separation after a few strides. Plus, he’s a dangler with an acute hold on how plays develop.
Ide-mae Mann is one of the most skilled players in this draft and is a virtual lock as a top six SMJHL centre in the future – from there, the only place he has to go is up. His shot and skating are well above average, and his puckhandling skills are at an elite level, but it’s his mind that is his most valuable feature. Mann routinely processes the game better than every one else sharing the ice with him, and he uses it to overcome his admittedly slight frame, and to deceive defenders and goaltenders.
An energetic forward with highly creative hands, good work ethic and offensive skills…smart and aware on the ice…dangerous one-on-one player…combination of speed and the ability to make quick turns in different directions with the puck make him hard to pin down…can pull off multiple quick dekes in unison with quick changes of direction to break ankles of defenders…keeps his feet moving and brings quick pressure on his opponent offensively…finds open ice and creates space for himself to get off his strong wrist shot…goes to the high-traffic areas and will take the puck to the net…defensively, he knows where to position himself…tries to get himself into shooting or passing lanes…not physical, but will engage on the backcheck…needs some added muscle, but is a solid top-six projection for the SMJHL.
He is able to wow you with his ability to score high-lite reel goals and his skating is excellent. His puck skills are fantastic and he has a high hockey IQ. He makes use of his great hockey sense in many facets of the game and it shows up with his creativity and the way he makes great passes out of nowhere. We love that he can both score and pass the puck to help create plays. He’s one of the best thinkers in the draft class and when you combine that with his skill it creates a very desirable package.
Mann was a significant riser this season, after producing at a point-per-game pace versus men in Canada and often appearing on highlight reels for positive reasons. Mann has very quick hands and a ton of creativity in his game, and even when he’s being tightly checked, he’s able to generate space for himself. He sees the ice very well and can make difficult feeds. “He has the talent to be a star,” one scout said. That doesn’t mean Mann’s game is perfect. He has heavy feet and struggles to win battles as he has a wiry frame and isn’t a very intense battler. On the other hand, it’s hard to ignore his significant point-producing potential as a pro and his ability to be a game-breaker on the ice. In my viewings, I didn’t see him ever have a great game. However, every Canadian scout I’ve talked to was willing to go to bat for him as a top-end prospect
Mann is a mesmerizing player with a great skill set and an even greater hockey IQ. He is a playmaker that can score and he can play both center and winger, although I like him more as a center. His Bantam WJC showed that he has yet to figure out the physically tighter and faster North American game. His playing at that tournament was better than his stats though as he was a bit snakebitten. He has the potential to become a first line player in the SMJHL but he will need a couple of years to grow into his body and get stronger and more consistent. This season in Canadian Bantams he has been really consistent in his production. He has been a big riser on many rankings.
Ide-mae Mann is an extraordinarily skillful player who had an incredible season in the Allsvenskan, the second highest professional league in Canada. By the way Mann and 16-year old team Mick Smith were putting up points, you’d think it was standard for teenagers to produce heavily in that league. In reality, it’s far from normal, and in fact both Mann and Smith seasons were among the top ten performances all-time by an under-20 player in that league.
While Mann has plenty of talents, he is lacking in two areas: his skating, while well above average, is not elite, and a growth spurt has left him tall but slight – he lacks pro-level strength and physicality. “He’s a pretty small player when you look at him,”Smith said of Mann. “You see he’s small and you think ‘whoa, how’s he gonna play’, and then when he goes on the ice, he’s so skilled, it doesn’t matter that he’s small, he can avoid tackles and hits so good, he’s really an amazing player and a big talent.”
Hockey IQ is often defined in many different ways, and that’s because there are many different facets to it. A high level of intelligence can afford a player a wealth of benefits. In the offensive zone, deception is a valuable skill, and it is rooted in understanding what opponents expect and how to take advantage of that. “He has a very good understanding of when to shoot in the offensive zone and what shot to use,” Smith said. “He doesn’t telegraph his intentions or his shot, so he’ll do that quick wrister or a quick snap – he wants to get it away fast because he understands the value of making sure the goaltender is not set before he shoots.”
There has been some debate as to which position Mann would play when he came to the SMJHL. Listed as both a left winger and a centre, Mann played some of each for his team this past season. “Yeah, he can play both,” smith opined. “When you play in the Canada Bantams leagues, you get deferred. You get pushed to the wing if you’re a centre if you have really strong centremen. That’s just the way it is in that league. That doesn’t mean he can’t play centre, but when you have a bigger, stronger, older man, they’ll get the preference.”
One potential reason that Mann isn’t ranked higher by many mainstream services is his international play this season.  he was too old to participate in the Bantams World Under-18’s by the time they rolled around. While he made Canadas Under-20 squad and played in the World Bantam Championship, he certainly was dominant.the 
When both the eye test and the statistical measures are providing glowing reviews of a prospect, you’re going to want to pay attention. Nearly everything we can dig up on this player indicates that he is one of the best talents in the draft. While we’ve picked him in the fifth, it wouldn’t be a bad selection even as early as third. Whichever team gets their hands on Mann is going to have, at worst, a very good second line centre in their future – and it’s as likely as not that he becomes a first line centre in the SMJHL down the road.
Mann has a very good frame, but really needs to bulk up. He has very good offensive instincts and makes smart plays with the puck. His hockey IQ is his biggest weapon, as it seems that Mann almost always makes the right play with the puck on his stick. Mann is very good at give-and-go type plays, dishing the puck and then skating to open ice. He shows off his intelligence by spotting the open areas of the ice, and getting himself open to make plays.
His stick handling and puck possession are also extremely good, and he can create plays off the rush or in the offensive zone. He can make plays with the puck while moving at top speed. He also controls the puck well down low, but this is an area where the added bulk will really be needed before he moves to the next level. Mann shows a very good work ethic. He is tenacious in puck pursuit, and with his forechecking, despite his slender fram. Mann is also extremely hard to stop if he gets a defenceman one-on-one. He also has excellent vision and passing skills. To top it off, he has a strong and accurate wrist shot and quick release.
Mann’s work ethic extends to all three zones. He continues his relentless pursuit of the puck into the neutral and defensive zones. He brings excellent back pressure and supports the defence down low. Mann has very good hockey IQ, and is rarely caught out of position. At the international level, he has been used on the penalty kill, showing a willingness to block shots as well.
While Mann is a very good player, he is not yet close to being SHL ready. He needs to pack on serious muscle to his slender frame and continue to work on his top end speed and acceleration. There are a number of very good tools here though, and Mann has the potential to become a top line centre in the SMJHL. However, it may be more realistic to see him top out as a very good second liner. Mann’s style is reminiscent of Henrik Zetterberg, but this is not a talent comparision.
So, it’s clear that scouts are a little divided as to where Mann will be taken at the Draft. I’ve seen him going as high as #5 on some draft boards and yet on others falling out of the top-10 entirely. But regardless of where you have him going in the first round, there’s no denying that Mann is an incredibly talented player.
Mann is a creative playmaker who possesses superb on-ice vision. He’s got that rare, high end skill which can produce highlight reel plays but also has poise and patience with the puck, especially in one-on-one situations. What separates Mann from the pack, at least in my eyes, is his complete 200 foot game. At one end of the ice he’s able to make defenders look foolish with the puck on his stick, and in his own zone he’s fantastic at breaking up opposing offenses and getting into shooting lanes. When you see him play it’s very clear that he “thinks the game at a high level”.
Mann’s biggest limiting factors are both related to his weight. While he has decent top speed, he isn’t an explosive skater and will need to improve on this as he continues his development. And second, his balance on his skates, particularly when going up against heavier opponents along the boards, could use some improvement as well. Both are areas that should improve as he adds muscle (he’s already added at least 10 pounds since last year).
Right now, he’s relying almost entirely on his stickwork, agility and puck skills to get the job done. I’d say he’s done pretty well for himself, but he could things to another level if he’s able to add more power to his game.

Christian Bolduc, Right Hand defenseman. Canada, 6'3 240.
Christain Bolduc has two characteristics that made him an attractive prospect.  First, he is big at 6’3″, 240 pounds.  Second, he has a good passing vision.  Those were the reasons the Timber drafted him in the Seventh round of the S61 Entry Draft, making him the 76th overall pick.
It was a good draft for the Timber, who are walking away with multiple high upside picks.  
Bolduc play improved every year in the Canadian Bantams and in his last season he scored 15 goals and 39 points for his team.  After that season they drafted him into a higher league where he continued to rack up the points.
Bolduc had two solid seasons in Bantams.  In his rookie year he posted a line of 5-22-27.  The next  year he scored 6 goals and added 42 assists.  In his two years he was the top blueliner on a bad Bantam team, representing the team at the mid season all star game.  
Don’t sleep on the name Christain Bolduc. The kid has been making big time waves for the Maine Timber scouting team after not garnering much attention during the draft process.
Bolduc is a right handed defenseman who stands a solid 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. He was originally taken in the seventh  Round of the S61 SMJHL Entry Draft after posting some small numbers, at least, offensively, in the Bantam leagues.
Bolduc was traded not once but twice in his Bantams career, which is highly unlikely for a Bantam hockey player. But Bolduc seemed to find a niche everywhere he went, and that niche seemed to be more on par of a steady defensive defenseman who can provide physical play and penalty minutes.
The small knock on Bolduc throughout his junior career seemed to be his skating, as it as most times with big hulking defenseman. Something that normally happens when a player shoots up in size but his physical maturity has yet to fully peak. Something that can be really difficult to judge from a scouting perspective but many say the Timber have great value in their seventh rounder from S61 entry draft
Certainly encouraging news from an organization that’s lacking the right punch on the defensive side of the ice and is looking to get younger at the position. Bolduc can certainly add to those factors and certainly look to start cracking the lineup as early as next season.
What also stands out with me is his steady increase in production as well as almost a seamless transition from Bantams to hopefully his SMJHL career . Bolduc was voted  into the mid season bantams all star game, and even wowed some local  hockey fans winning the Hardest Shot Competition, with a 106 mph shot that he got his fully body force against.
As always Timber fans, we need to pull back on the reigns before we get too over hyped on a prospect.
This certainly isn’t the instant fix for the defense right away, and he will not step right into the chance to be a top pairing defenseman in the SMJHL. But, similarly to other previous players this kid has something that cannot be taught, and that’s size.
He seems to be filling out his frame now and with that, his skating techniques have improved tremendously since his Bantams days.
Bolduc is a solid skater for his size; with decent speed in both directions. He also has good edgework and strong pivots. This allows him to cover a lot of ice, and play a strong two-way game. He will never be considered a speedster but gets around the ice quite well for a 6-foot-3 240 pound player. He is also solid on his skates, with good lower body strength and power. Bolduc wins his battles for loose pucks along the boards and does a good job of clearing the front of the net.
Offensively, there is not a lot there. Bolduc uses a good breakout pass and his hard shot to put up solid numbers in the Bantams. Most importantly though, he has shown some ability to stickhandle and to have poise with the puck. By taking the time to look for a smart pass, or make a play on the breakout or at the offensive blue line, Bolduc proved to be much more of a threat and gave defences issues. That part of his game hasn’t really translated to the SMJHL yet in prospects game,  but could come with a bit more experience. While he will never be asked to quarterback the power play or be a top puck mover, he could surprise with some secondary scoring from time-to-time.
Blessed with tremendous size, Christain Bolduc is a strong defensive defenceman. He is very mobile, and uses his skating to get himself into good positions to block shots, and cut down passing lanes in the defensive zone. Bolduc will throw a big hit if someone tries to come down his end of the ice with his head down. He’s also been willing to fight when necessary and has done well in this department. One would like to see a bit more of a mean streak along the boards and a few more big hits from him though given that size.
Size is the first thing anybody notices about Christian Zadorov. The Canada Native stands 6'3 and weighs an imposing 240 pounds. Scouts are pleased that Zarodov isn't afraid to use his size and plays a physical game.
Mark Hunter, a coach with the London Knights, raved about Zadorov. "He's an intelligent kid. He's grown so much -- he's so big. We knew he was going to figure it out. He's not scared. He hits people, he finishes his checks. There's so much to like about him it's ridiculous."
In addition, scouts are impressed with the way Bolducskates for a big man. "Christian is a big man who skates very well," Central Scouting's Chris Edwards told SMJHL.com. "He has very good mobility and his backwards skating is about the best in this year's draft. He will take the body and battles hard along the boards. He uses his long reach well and is an effective pokechecker."
The only issue scouts have about Bolduc is that because of his size, he may need more time than many other highly rated prospects to reach his full potential.
He also has had a tendency to go for big hits that look great on highlight reels but can take him out of position defensively, something most scouts believe he can overcome with more experience.
Scouts see some offensive potential in Bolduc. His top-end potential has him set to become a big No. 1 defenseman like Chara who can play on the power play, kill penalties and log major minutes. Even if he doesn't develop an offensive game, his size and willingness to hit make him a solid second-pairing defenseman who will make life difficult for opposing forwards. With his earth-shattering hits, Bolduc should become a fan favorite in whatever city he plays in.
For a player that is 6'3 he skates incredibly well and has excellent mobility, not only this but excellent positioning as well, Bolducis noted for his physicality and his ability to land a heavy bodycheck. He's not only able to do this but has on occasion stepped up into a heavyweight fight in the Bantams. While it would be better for such a defensive defenseman to be able to be on the ice at all times its shows a certain camaraderie with his team mates. He combines his skating abilty and his physicality to be able to make many onrushing forwards regret coming into the offensive zone.
The potential that some evaluators see in Bolduc them projecting the next big physical two-way SMJHL defender. He shows a nice combination of mobility, strength and puck skills. He skates very well for a player of his size and shows strong footwork, balance and mobility. He makes strong plays with the puck, and reads the play well, Bolducs first pass is strong and he does not try to force things that are just not there. His point shot is very hard and although his windup is a little on the long side, still should be considered a weapon. His strength is his physical game as he is willing to unload a devastating hit, mercilessly eliminate opponents along the boards or drop the gloves and teach an opponent a lesson about manners towards his teammates or himself.
Bolduc is the not-so-gentle giant on the Maine blueline. He's a personable kid off the ice, but certainly one that you wouldn't want to mess with on it. Bolduchad an up-and-down year with the bantam this season as he seemed to be searching for an identity.
At 6'3 and over 240 pounds, the Montreal born Bolduchas the physicality to dominate. And, at times, his zeal to lay out his opponents with the big hit can take him out of the play. But as the year progressed, Bolducl earned to reign in his physicality and became a much more effective stay-at-home blueliner.he should fit very nicely on a top pairing as the defensively responsible, crease-clearer for whom so many teams are looking


Luka Kovacsova 6'3 190 RHD Slovakian born/Austrian national team
Luka is a litle lanky in terms of bulk, but has impressed with outstanding skating ability.  He is quick in both directions.  He has very good speed, and acceleration. However, it is in his agility and edge work where he really shines. Kovacsova has excellent lateral mobility and can cover a ton of ice. His pivots are crisp and clean, allowing him to cover 360 degrees of ice. He can pinch deep, or join the rush, and also get back defensively in the SMJHL. While be may not be able to take quite as many chances at higher levels of hockey, his skating skill should continue to be a big advantage in his game. Luka, also has very good core strength and balance, making him tough to knock off the puck.
Kovacsova can be an offensive force, but his shot needs some work, more of a playmaker in the rush. He has a decent wrist shot, as well as a decent slap shot. A bit more strength on his frame could up passing and shooting lanes. He understands how to get his shot through traffic, as well as how to keep it low and on net. This helps his teammates to set up screens, capitalize on rebounds, and make deflections. He also has excellent stickhandling abilities and can rush the puck from end to end. He can also join the rush as a trailer, picking good opportunities to add offense from the back end, very intelligent player. He shows high hockey IQ and makes smart plays both with and without the puck. Add in strong passing skills and excellent vision; and Luka is a threat to generate a scoring chance nearly every time he touches the puck.
Kovacsova is strong positionally, and effective in gap control. He takes away opponents time and space, and angles them well to the outside. He also has a quick stick, allowing him to poke check opponents and to create turnovers. Once he has the puck, he transitions it quickly out of his zone and starts the attack. Luka isn’t the most physical defenceman though. He could stand to add some muscle to his frame, in order to compete against the bigger, stronger players he will face at higher levels.

Part 2/3

Kovacsova is an outstanding skater. He looks like he is floating above the ice. He has very good speed and acceleration in both directions. Hughes has a textbook stride, and the ability to change directions on a dime. He uses the outstanding speed to join the rush or to pinch in at the line. Luka is rarely caught deep as he can still get back into position defensively thanks to that speed. His agility and footwork allow him to beat defenders one-on-one as well as to walk the line and make quick moves to open up passing and shooting lanes. He also has a low centre of gravity which helps his balance and makes him strong on the puck.
There have been many times he has shown he has excellent vision and playmaking ability, as well as the hockey sense to almost always make the right play. He seems to think the game and anticipate plays better than others out there on the ice. With his skating and stickhandling ability, Luka is not afraid to skate the puck out of his zone or lead the rush. He can also make a long pass to start the transition game and start an odd-man rush. He has the passing ability and the hockey IQ to quarterback the play from the point. Luka has the poise to make plays under pressure.
He just has a good arsenal of shots. His wrist shot is strong and accurate, and features a quick release. He uses it often when trailing the play on the rush, or when pressured by shot blockers. He also has a hard and accurate slap shot
Lukas defensive game is based on his anticipation and ability to quickly transition the puck out of his own zone. The size is a liability as he sometimes can be outmuscled in his own end. He needs to be quick on the puck on dump-ins, as well as using a good stick check to steal pucks from attackers. He will continue to need work in his own end, perfecting his positioning, and reading the play in order to maximize his potential. He could also add some muscle to his frame.
Kovacsova can be an elite offensive and puck-moving defenceman at the next level. He should quarterback the power play and lead the rush. The defensive game is a question mark, and how much he can improve in the next couple of years will determine if he is a first pairing defenceman at even strength or more of a second pairing player. Kovacsova will likely head into Juniors ready to rack up the assist if he's brought to a team with strong forward play for his rookie season, as he is probably not going to be SHL ready this coming season.
The key to the young Luka Kovacsovas game begins with his outstanding skating. He has very good speed and outstanding acceleration in both directions. His skating is sublime and at times he seems to be floating above the ice. He has outstanding pivots, agility, and edge work. This allows him to cover all areas of the ice, and transition quickly from offence to defence. Luka is strong on the puck, but should get even stronger, and continue to improve his balance as he adds muscle
Kovacsova is an elite offensive defenceman, who has been playing above his age group for quite some time, both at the international and club level in Bantam style of play.  Lukas passing ability is outstanding, with extremely good vision and the ability to thread the needle through the smallest openings. He can start the rush, make the long breakaway pass, and quarterback the power-play. He also has an outstanding slap shot and one-timer. Kovacsova  moves the puck out of the zone quickly. He utilizes his skating and strong first pass to start the transition game.
Kovacsova creativity and hockey sense are off the charts. He makes plays that other defenders would not even dream of trying. His strong skating allows him to walk the line, and to open up passing and shooting lanes. Couple this with the stickhandling to elude defenders one-on-one and the skating to beat them as well, and he is one of the most dynamic offensive defencemen in years.
Kovacsova is also very effective defensively, utilizing his strong positioning as well as the good stick-checking ability to shut down forwards on the rush. He keeps them to the outside and has good gap control. He is not the most physical player, though that may come with more time, and added weight. Kovacsova is willing to use his body to fight in the corners and to knock an attacker off the puck, but he does not throw a lot of big hits. In this way he keeps himself in position, and is ready for the next play.  When a defensive zone turnover is created, he moves the puck up the ice and transitions quickly to offense.
Kovacsova is quite simply the best draft defence prospect we have seen in a decade. Terms like “generational talent” are thrown around often but in Dahlin’s case it is very much deserved. The sky is the limit as far as his potential goes. Now in terms of a style (not talent) comparison, he has the offensive game and is very strong in his own end, I think he should be in the SMJHL and a big-time contributor next season.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Slovakia born defenseman Luka Kovacsova has the size of a Chris Pronger.
The question scouts have asked is can Kovacsova match Pronger's ability to use his size in a successfully nasty way. The answer could decide where Kovacsova is chosen when the 30 SMJHL teams meet for the S61 Draft.
"He's a big guy that really moves well," said Marc Steinberner, who scouts the Eastern Europian countries for SMJHL Bantam Scouting. "He handles the puck well, he's got good puck skills, his first pass is excellent. The one thing you would knock on him is he's too casual at times. He's a big guy that could use his size more."
That's something Kovacsova agrees with, but at the same time, he insists he is not going to run around looking for a big hit. He finds it more advantageous to play smart hockey and let the play come to him.
"The style I play is calm and I don't panic too much," Kovacsova told our reporters "Everyone has their own style and mine isn't to run around. I play my position and I think I play it well."
Adds Edwards: "The upside on Luka Kovacsova is he's going to be a very good pro. He's got all the potential that you want in a guy." That opinion is not universal, however. The calm, assured play that appeals to many can be misconstrued and seen as a turn-off to others.
"One of the things that people talked about with him was his lack of intensity and apparent indifference; someone mentioned casual,"  "At first blush you might say he's playing like a kid who's already been drafted, so he doesn't have anything to gain. That's not a good knock to put on a kid."
"He fools you some nights because he is so big and he skates so well that he can appear to be lazy at times, but that's not the case," . "A lot of big guys that move so well, and he's so fluid, they look like they're not working hard but they are and he's in that category. … His body language when he goes off the ice, he projects some things that make him look lazy; but he's casual. He's a big, easy-going kid. He needs to use his size more."
That's a point Kovacsova agrees with.
At the next level they're a lot of quick players, and I need to use all my advantages and use my size to my advantage. Hopefully, I get a little bit bigger and can use it more. - Luka Kovacsova
"I think when I sit down with my coaches, they say the same thing, that I can use that to my advantage," he said. "At the next level they're a lot of quick players, and I need to use all my advantages and use my size to my advantage. Hopefully, I get a little bit bigger and can use it more.
"I think throughout the year I progressed that way. I'm getting older so my body's maturing, and I'll get bigger. You want to make guys aware you're on the ice; (but) it's a matter of knowing when to use the size.And, in Kovacsova's thinking, that doesn't include breathing fire and racing out of position just to deliver a hit.
"If you ask the guys on the team, they'll say I'm one of the more intense guys," Kovacsova said. "The style I play is calm and I don't panic too much. I don't like to lose, that makes me intense. I like to do my job, there's no reason to run around. Just stay calm through the whole game." Using his excellent skating ability, Luka has become a force in the transition game and has the ability to find a breaking forward streaking into the offensive zone with a pass.
With the vision to find the passing lanes and make accurate decisions on the fly, his presence as the leader of the power play has resulted in one of the most dangerous point shots in the entire draft class. The real key to success for Luka is his confidence. The young man knows that he is a great player, but he still works hard to improve and looks to make his teammates better when given the opportunity
Luka also has the elite size organizations are looking for at the next level. At 6’3” and 190 pounds, the fact that there is still room to grow on his frame will have every franchise desperate for help along the blue line taking notice.


Post Draft interview with Luka Kovasova




Q. You've been gaining momentum the past few weeks. Did you think you could go as high as No. 1?



Luka Kovacsova: To be honest, I didn't really know. I was coming in here, and I keep telling people it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I never knew what was going to happen, so it was just fun to sit in the stands.



Q. Did you ever get any inkling that the Maine Timbers would select you 52nd?



Luka Kovacsova: I think my meeting went pretty well with them at the Combine, but other than that, yeah, I couldn't tell you. It's just kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing.



Q. You're one of the best Slovak drafted player in SHL history. Were you aware of that before the draft, and what does that mean to you?



Luka Kovacsova: It's pretty special. I'm going to a team that Toasty, he was the other SMJHL pick way back when, so it's pretty special, and it's very humbling to think about, for sure, to play with him and learn from him.



Q. Has it sunk in that you're in an SMJHL jersey right now?



Luka Kovacsova: To be honest with you, I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. It seems cliché, but it's kind of speechless right now. You don't know what's going to happen, and now that it finally does, you don't know what to feel.



Q. Do you guys have an option of being in the stands or being in the green room there?



Luka Kovacsova: Yeah some guys went to the Green room, i had the option to sit out and stay at home to be close with freinds and family, and choose that option instead.



Q. How much do you know abou this team's history?



Luka Kovacsova: Not much, to be honest. I know that some greats played there way back when, but other than that, I haven't looked up this team too much.



Q. Are you still committed to ging to Austria?



Luka Kovacsova: Yeah, 100 percent. That's my plan for next year, and I couldn't be more excited to do that.



Q. Why is Austria the best step for you right now?



Luka Kovacsova: Im a big fan of international play all around, always have been, the idea of each countries best vs the others best is always good time. its fun to win and have bragging rights of who is the best and develops the best overall talent, especially playing for a smaller country.



Q. Can you take us through this day leading up to this moment, how you were feeling as this moment got closer?



Luka Kovacsova: Yeah, there was a little bit of anxiousness, excitement and nervousness, my heart started pumping throughout the day. But I've been told by guys, Toasty and Southpaw and stuff, recent friends, and just to kind of take it all in. You're not going to get to experience this ever again, so I'm here for the experience, and I've had a great couple days here in Maine so far.



Q. There have been several scouts who said you may end up being the best player in this draft when all is said and done. How does that make you feel?



Luka Kovacsova: Yeah, it's just a prediction, I guess, in a way. And the way that I see this draft is it's not going to matter where you get picked. People aren't going to look at that. They're going to look at what you did after the draft. Nobody is going to care what you did before, so it's all about how you're going to carry yourself afterward and where you're going to go, so that's kind of the way I look at it.



Q. What do you think makes you the player you are?



Luka Kovacsova: Just steady progress. I think being consistent as a person and as a player. Obviously my teammates helped a lot and our coaches there



Q. Did you have other options? The obvious question, why Austria instead of a different program? Did you have other options available to you?



Luka Kovacsova: At the time I honestly didn't have those big, big options, but I had options from a few other nations, and it was just kind of the feeling that I had, the personal touch of Austria. I had been down to the rinks down there from Slovakia, and I really liked it there. You know what you're going to get when I go there.



Some of the bigger Nations you kind of get stuck in the lineup sometimes, but I know when I go to Austria, my goal is to be a No. 1 defenseman there, and I know they're going to give me every opportunity that I can to pursue that.



Have you kind of explored their recent history? They've had a couple of succesful seasons in a row, im hoping to help build a dynasty with them and a patriots like dynasty in maine for the next 3 or 4 years.



Q. I know the Newfoundland team had tremendous interest in you, you interviewed really well with them. Maine has needs on the back end. Did you have a feeling you were going to Maine?



Luka Kovacsova: To be honest, no, not at all. Like I was saying, I met with them at the Combine, but they didn't give me any indication that they were taking me for sure. I was just kind of coming here and waiting to see what happened.



Q. Can you learn off a back end like that when you think of what they have at that position?



Luka Kovacsova: Definitely. Like I was saying, I don't know a lot about the team, but I know that they have some good guys on the back end that can help me learn and develop and obviously they have guys that have lots of experience in the SHL and they're guys that every rookie kind of needs to lean on, so I'm excited for the experience just to kind of go through this all, and yeah, just kind of see where it takes me.



Q. When you think of where the game is going, do you think it's kind of the right time for you in your career when you see where the game is going?



Luka Kovacsova: I think so. I think watching some other teams through the playoffs, you see how mobile and kind of speed and agile their D are, going back on pucks or whether it be jumping up in the rush or mobility in the zone, and I think my speed and my hockey sense are two things that are my biggest parts of my game. I'm excited to kind of hopefully pursue that path in the SMJHL.



Q. Does it feel like you've got to get bigger, stronger? Is that No. 1 on your list of things to do?



Luka Kovacsova: Definitely. I think that's why SMJHLis going to be a great path for me, and especially Austria. You're going to get the time off the ice, I'm going to get hopefully a little bit bigger, and like I said, a little bit of time there is going to hopefully shape me into an SHL player.



Q. You have no idea of the timetable, whether it's one year, two years, three years, four years?



Luka Kovacsova: Yeah, it's going to obviously depend on how I develop. My intention is to play in the SHL when I'm ready, and whenever I feel I'm ready and whenever the organization feels I'm ready. Hopefully I can make that jump.



Q. What's your mindset? Do you set a target date in your head, a point where you want to be playing in the show?



Luka Kovacsova: I think, like I said, it's how I develop, but I think one or two years at Austria and whenever I feel I'm ready, I want to make the jump straight to the SHL.



Q. Did you talk with Maine at all about going to Austria next year?



Luka Kovacsova: To be honest, I can't really remember. Like I was saying, I met with them in the Combine and it probably came up in the interview, but I think they accepted the fact that I'm going to Austria in the off season for international play.





Interviewer: Well Luka, we truly do wish you the best of luck in your future, anywhere that may be. keep holding that Slovak flag high, and making us proud. we do believe you are on the cusp of greatness in your career and will be winning many many championships in this career, you've put alot of work and now we are ready to see it pay off.


Luka: thank you so much for the kind words, and thank you to all my coaches in slovakia and austria for the teaching and coaching you have given me over the last few years, i will make you all and my family proud and bring home much much gold.


Part 3/3

Part 3/3

Hey @Slav1cThor I just finished grading your article before you posted part 3. Just a heads up the x2 bonus only applies to a maximum of 5k words. I would post Part 3 as a new article. :D 
Gonna move this thread over to graded shortly FYI.

Valentin Kalashnikov || D || Baltimore Platoon || 2106 TPE

6'3'' || 225 lbs || Grozny, Russian Federation

S52 SMJHL Entry Draft 5th Overall (Halifax Raiders)

S53 SHL Draft 12th Overall (Tampa Bay Barracuda)

S52 WJC IIHF Champion (UCORCAL)

S53 WJC IIHF Bronze (UCORCAL)

S55 WJC IIHF Champion (UCORCAL)

================================================

SMJHL Season Stats

Szn || Team || GP ||  G||  A||  P|| +/- || HIT || SHB || TOI ||

S52 || HFX  || 50 ||  4|| 11|| 14 ||  -7 ||  85 ||  47 || 1093|| 

S53 || MET || 50 ||  9|| 14|| 23 ||  -13 ||  166 ||  85 || 23:20 ||

================================================

Playoffs Stats

Szn || Team || GP  || G || A || P || +/- || HIT || SHB || TOI ||

S52 || HFX  || 6/6 || 0 || 4 || 4 ||  +2 ||  12 ||  5 || 127 ||

S53 || MET  || DNQ || 0 || 0 || 0 ||  0 ||  0 ||  0 || 0 ||

        

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