Far across the Atlantic, already knew of the 香蕉视频直播� propensity for producing NHL-calibre defenseman.
So when the Western Hockey League club selected the Czech-born rearguard this summer in the 2017 CHL Import Draft, Zabransky was quick to commit to his new career path in North America.
香蕉视频直播淥f course, Kelowna is one of the best places in Canada,香蕉视频直播� said Zabransky, 17. 香蕉视频直播淢y agent, he told me this is the best place for defencemen, there are lots of good defense coming from here, so that was a quite easy decision for me.香蕉视频直播�
Zabransky brings with him some strong hockey bloodlines, rooted both at the elite level in Europe and in the NHL.
His dad香蕉视频直播攁lso 香蕉视频直播攑layed 40 games in the NHL in the 1990s with the St. Louis Blues, while his uncle, , played with five big-league North American teams, including three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.
The elder Zabransky, who owns and coaches the HC Kometa Brno team in the Czech Republic, was able to provide some direction for his son in making a choice, but ultimately it was young Libor香蕉视频直播檚 decision.
Between his childhood goal of playing in the NHL and the potential pressures of staying at home to play, Zabransky had two more concrete reasons for taking the Canadian major junior route.
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A 6-foot-1, 180-pound skilled defenceman at both ends of the ice, Rockets head coach Jason Smith expects Zabransky香蕉视频直播攇iven a little time to adjust香蕉视频直播攚ill make a successful transition to the the North American game.
香蕉视频直播淔irst of all, he香蕉视频直播檚 very competitive and he knows the game well,香蕉视频直播� said Smith. 香蕉视频直播淗e can transport the puck and shoot the puck, and he香蕉视频直播檚 able to defend as well. There will be a learning curve with the North American ice and the heavier schedule in his first full season, but he has all the tools. He香蕉视频直播檚 excited about the challenge.香蕉视频直播�
Zabransky, the Rockets 51st choice in the CHL import draft, is joined in Kelowna by one of his teammates last season on the Kometa Brno junior team. Forward Marek Skvrne, 18, was the Rockets香蕉视频直播� second choice, 111th overall and is competing with Tomas Soutsal for the club香蕉视频直播檚 second import slot.
Zabransky, who was injured this summer playing for the Czech team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial U18 tournament, has returned to full health in time for this Friday香蕉视频直播檚 WHL season opener at home to the Kamloops Blazers.
One month into his move, Zabransky couldn香蕉视频直播檛 have asked for a much better introduction to Canada and the Okanagan.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 excited to play first game,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淓verything is perfect for me here, my billet, the coaches, the guys in the locker room are good. I like them and they are nice to me and the other Czech (Marek Skvrne). We are both excited.香蕉视频直播�
