Tigers select Slovakian forward Adam Sýkora in Import Draft

Sýkora has played with the U16, U18 and U20 at the Tipos Extraliga level for HK Nitra and he has also played with Team Slovakia U18. He is projected to be a late second to fourth round selection in the NHL Entry Draft that kicks off July 7.

In a media release from the Tigers, head coach and GM Willie Desjardins said the Tigers expect him to be taken in the draft and are excited to add a player of “his calibre.”

“Adam is a skilled offensive forward with a great motor and (he) plays with intensity. He takes away time and space, and is not afraid to be first to pucks and play in the dirty areas,” Desjardins said.

“He had an excellent World Championships as one of the youngest players in the tournament, and we expect him to be taken in the first few rounds of the NHL Draft next week. We are excited about the prospects of adding a player of his caliber and providing an environment where he can continue to improve and develop his game.”

Each CHL club has two roster slots for Import drafted players. The Tigers passed on their second selection in the Import Draft as their second slot will be held by Latvian defenceman Bogdans Hodass.

Hodass had a strong season in Medicine Hat this year, playing in 57 games while contributing seven goals and 24 points and providing a physical presence on the blue line.

The Tigers second import player last season, Russian blue liner Gleb Ivanov has returned to play hockey in Russia, Desjardins confirmed to the News earlier this week. Ivanov had three goals and nine points in his 48 games in the orange and black.

Sýkora is the second player selected first-overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers in their franchise history. The Club selected Czech defenceman Vladimir Sicak with the first-overall selection in 1998.

Sýkora’s father Roman played briefly with Tri-City in 1997-98 and spent two seasons with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL.

Medicine Hat’s pre-season schedule stats Sept. 9 in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes. The Tigers will kick off their 53rd season at Co-op Place against the Hurricanes on Sept. 24.