It didn’t take Pavel Novak long to get used to the North American style of hockey.
With three goals and five assists for eight points in Kelowna’s first seven games, the Rockets’ youngest foreign import leads the WHL in the rookie standings.
Novak comes from Tabor in the Czech Republic and is also linked to veteran Dillon Hamaliuk in the team standings.
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WHL recap: Wednesday, October 9, 2019
This week Novak was listed as a player by NHL Central Scouting.
He was classified as a “C” player, which is reflected in the 2020 NHL draft in Montreal in a possible selection for the fourth, fifth or sixth round.
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“I like to play in the offensive zone, I’m a playmaker, maybe a sniper, I don’t know?” The 5-foot-9 and 170-pound winger said when asked about his style.
It may be a little early for the sniper designation, but Novak seems to be closing a valuation hole.
Last season rookie defender Lassi Thomson had 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 63 games. But that summer Thomson left Kelowna and opted for Finland. In June, Ottawa voted Thomson 19th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
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Unsurprisingly, Novak idolized and stylized another Czech.
“My favorite player is David Pastrnak,” Novak said of the Boston Bruins striker.
In the meantime, Novak has been drawing awards for its puck smarts.
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“He knows where the boys are, he knows when the boys are open,” said linemate Nolan Foot. Rockets head coach Adam Foote added, “He reads the ice well.”
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Lassi Thomson
Lassi Thomson – February 12, 2019
One small blow to Novak seems to be his skating.
“I think his skating needs to be improved, but it’s not bad at all,” said coach Foote.
Overall, Kelowna has a pretty good track record when it comes to icing up overseas imports.
Vaclav Varada, Alex Edler, and Mickael Backlund come to mind, and with luck, Novak will continue this tradition.
The Rockets are back in action in the Emerald City on Friday night when they visit the Seattle Thunderbirds. On Saturday they will host the Kamloops Blazers. Play time at Prospera Place is 7:05 pm
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Nolan Foote returns to the Kelowna Rockets on September 27, 2019
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