Kelowna, BC: With the seventh overall selection in the 2007 CHL Import Draft, the Kelowna Rockets have chosen forward MILAN KYTNAR of Slovakia.
Kytnar, 6'0" 183, is a native of Topolcany, Slovakia and was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in the 5th round, 127th overall, in this past weekend's NHL Draft. A centerman, Kytnar is described by NHL Central Scouting as "... a hardworking, 2-way player with good hands that are particularly quick in the face-off circle."
This past season, Kytnar scored 91 points in 53 games in the Slovakian Junior League while posting an eye-popping +78 rating. Later in the season he also played 26 games in the Slovakian Senior League (second division) where he scored 5 goals and 13 points.
As well, he was the Captain of Team Slovakia at the recently completed World Under-18 Championships held in Finland. He was also the tournament's second leading scorer. It was in Finland where Rockets' President and General Manager, Bruce Hamilton, saw Kytnar perform.
"Certainly, in my mind, he was the best player on the Slovakian team," said Hamilton. "He reminds me a bit of Tyler Spurgeon with his style only he's probably a better skater than Tyler. He works the puck down low in the offensive end very effectively and he loves to take the puck to the net and make plays."
"When the Oilers took him in the NHL Draft, I was afraid that might tip off some other teams and we wouldn't get him," continued Hamilton. "We were watching anxiously and hoping he'd slide to us and he did."
"Today's a good day for our organization. We got the guy we targeted. And, I've seen him play so he's not an unknown commodity."
The Rockets next selection in the Import Draft (43rd overall) will take place at 1:30 PDT this afternoon.
Kytnar, 6'0" 183, is a native of Topolcany, Slovakia and was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in the 5th round, 127th overall, in this past weekend's NHL Draft. A centerman, Kytnar is described by NHL Central Scouting as "... a hardworking, 2-way player with good hands that are particularly quick in the face-off circle."
This past season, Kytnar scored 91 points in 53 games in the Slovakian Junior League while posting an eye-popping +78 rating. Later in the season he also played 26 games in the Slovakian Senior League (second division) where he scored 5 goals and 13 points.
As well, he was the Captain of Team Slovakia at the recently completed World Under-18 Championships held in Finland. He was also the tournament's second leading scorer. It was in Finland where Rockets' President and General Manager, Bruce Hamilton, saw Kytnar perform.
"Certainly, in my mind, he was the best player on the Slovakian team," said Hamilton. "He reminds me a bit of Tyler Spurgeon with his style only he's probably a better skater than Tyler. He works the puck down low in the offensive end very effectively and he loves to take the puck to the net and make plays."
"When the Oilers took him in the NHL Draft, I was afraid that might tip off some other teams and we wouldn't get him," continued Hamilton. "We were watching anxiously and hoping he'd slide to us and he did."
"Today's a good day for our organization. We got the guy we targeted. And, I've seen him play so he's not an unknown commodity."
The Rockets next selection in the Import Draft (43rd overall) will take place at 1:30 PDT this afternoon.
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