The Windsor Star’s Jim Parker profiles Red Wings prospect and Windsor Spitfires forward Michal Svrcek this morning.
Svrcek hoped to play for Brynas IF’s SHL team this past season, but instead, he battled through injuries as he skated for Brynas’ J20 team, and, ultimately, Vasteras IK of the Hockeyallsvenskan. He did play for Brynas late in the SHL season and during the playoffs, but only in a limited role…
And as such, he chose to head over to North America to try his luck with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires:
“When I was in (Detroit’s) [rookie] camp, Windsor drafted me and I looked it up and I was close to Windsor,” Svrcek said. “The past is past and I’m just looking forward now. (Windsor) was one of the options. It was the main one to come here and play in such a good junior league is good for me and (my) development. When they wanted me to come here and play here, I started watching the results and I felt like that should be my team last year.”
[Spitfires head coach Greg] Walters is confident Svrcek will be a scorer in the OHL and anticipates him playing in all situations for the club.
“I would say I’m an aggressive player with a lot of energy and a lot of compete level,” Svrcek said. “Good offensive player, overall. That’s why I think they drafted me here. I think I’m the type of player this league likes, this team likes, and I’ll do everything I can to be helpful to the team. I have a couple of friends playing in this league. They said it’s a really offensive league and that suits me good.”
But aside from the skill level, Svrcek has a chance to bring some much-needed experience to a young Windsor roster. Aside from Cole Dubowsky and Shawn Costello, Svrcek is the only 2007-born forward on the roster.
“I’m always trying to be a leader (and) help the team in a good way,” Svrcek said. “I’m not speaking that much in locker room, but I want to show it on the ice that I’m a leader and do the right things, so I help the team. If the leader is doing the small things good, the whole team (follows). Blocking shots, being disciplined, not just on the ice, but off. What are you doing for your body and for your health?”
It’s only been a few days, but Walters sees a player that sees the prize (of an NHL deal) within reach and is ready to do what it takes to achieve that goal.
“He’s a dog on a bone man and there’s some skill there,” Walters said. “Zero attitude, just goes about his business, works, wants to get a contract and knows he has to produce here.”
