MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- The Moose Jaw Warriors added another skilled forward from Czechia in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on Wednesday morning.
With the 53rd overall selection in the first round, the Warriors added centreman Dominik Pavlik, bringing size and presence that could help fill in the gap left by graduating overage forward Martin Rysavy.
“We’re getting a big centreman who plays a heavy game, has some skill and shoots well and is a good skater,” said Warrior general manager Jason Ripplinger. “He compliments our ‘07 group and is a good player for us as we build toward our future here.”
It wasn’t quite as busy a day for Ripplinger as it could have been, with the team already having the rights to NHL drafted defenceman Voytech Port and opting to make a single selection in the 2024 Draft.
“It helps with Port being here, having another Czechia player coming in,” Ripplinger said. “I’m not sure how great his English is, but overall, it’s always nice to have someone from your same country when you’re in a new country.”
The 17-year-old comes in at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds and suited up for Karpat Oulu in the Finland U18 league last season, leading the team with 21 goals and 34 points in 39 games.
Pavlik also played for Czechia at the World U17 Challenge last season and put up three points in eight games, finishing with nine goals and 20 points over 26 games in total with Czechia’s U17 team.
So just how does a WHL general manager find talent overseas with limited viewings? Whatever video is out there, and a little help from their friends.
“Just through an agency I’ve dealt with for many years, The Sports Corporation,” Ripplinger explained. “They’ve helped me out over the years and I like to stay loyal to them. If they don’t have a lot of guys I’ll talk to other agencies that we have good relationships with, and we just go who we feel is the best player who wants to come over here.”
The Warriors open their 2024-25 pre-season with back-to-back neutral site games against Regina on Friday, Sept. 6 in Estevan and Saturday, Sept. 7 in Assiniboia. They’re then in Swift Current on Friday, Sept. 13 before hosting the Broncos on Saturday, Sept. 14.
