Sam Cosentino on the player: One of the most interesting players this draft class has to offer. At 6-foot-4, 186 pounds his size pops immediately, and he looks like a pro. The intrigue surrounding Honzek has to do with his career path to this point.
He played his U17 season in the Slovak Extraliga, and put up 10 goals and 14 points in 49 games. From there he honed in on an NHL career, and figure his best path to get there would be to make his way to North America, play on NHL-sized ice and experience a schedule that included more games and travel. After being selected 10th overall in the CHL Import Draft, it became a perfect fit for him to go to the Vancouver Giants.
He put up 13 points in his first 13 WHL games and then went on an eight-game tear where he put up 17 points. He was expected to be a big part of Slovakia’s team at the world juniors, but suffered a skate cut in his second game, which sidelined him for six weeks. But he returned in time to finish the last 12 games of the regular season and four more playoff games.
Honzek looks like a pro player with his ability to protect the puck, play well along the wall and produce offence.
Jason Bukala's scouting report: A big, strong forward who gives opponents all they can handle in the offensive zone below the goal line, coming off the boards, going to the net, and setting up around the crease looking for tips and screens. Real good puck touch.
Equal parts goal scorer and playmaker. Sound hockey IQ. Understands how to play responsibly in all three zones. His skating will need to improve another 10 per cent for the NHL game.
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