MILAN – Juraj Slafkovský is proving to be a key player for Slovakia at the Winter Olympics.
The Košice native is turning heads with his impressive performances, silencing critics with a knack for both scoring and setting up goals. Slafkovský also stands out with his dominant play, effectively utilizing his size and remarkable puck skills.
At just 21 years old, Slafkovský is emerging as a leader for his team, elevating the play of those around him. This impact is typically reserved for the game’s elite, and the young Slovak is quickly establishing himself among them.
His performances are drawing attention from across the pond, including from Montreal Canadiens head coach Marty St. Louis, who recently offered high praise, as reported by Sportsnet.
“I don’t feel like Juraj came into the NHL as an 18-year-old with this kind of mindset… he’s developed and now he’s ready to lead his team on the ice. He takes a lot of responsibility in games and the other guys will follow. But it’s not just one thing, it’s a lot of things that really caught my eye. Players like that indicate quality on big stages no matter the circumstances,” St. Louis stated.
“I think it’s his mentality. He’s a young leader that you love having, and you see the others follow him. He’s continuing where he left off and not looking back. He’s just going forward and the others are following,” the Canadiens coach added, referencing other young players on the Slovakian team like Pavol Regenda, Oliver Okuliar, Dalibor Dvorský, and Miloš Kelemen.
According to St. Louis, these players already view Slafkovský as a team leader they can rely on to create pivotal moments and inspire better performances. Montreal teammate Lane Hutson echoed this sentiment.
“I think what he’s doing at the Olympics is pretty special, but we see him do it all the time. Maybe people don’t realize it, but he does a lot of little things right, he’s able to control the puck, hold onto it, and make a difference in the game. Seeing it on the Olympic stage is something special, but it definitely doesn’t surprise me,” the 22-year-old American added.
Slafkovský’s performance in Milan hasn’t surprised another teammate, 33-year-old veteran Brendan Gallagher, who highlighted Juraj’s consistency.
“I think you’re seeing his consistency, that’s the biggest thing. He’s been able to carry over his form from last season into this one. He has a big impact on the game game after game. He finds a way to be really consistent. He’s playing with different players and impacting the game in different ways. He feels confident with the puck, he’s dominant.
The way he protects the puck and creates space, that’s an area where he’s made the biggest strides. He’s cleaned up the little details of his game, learned new things. I think what you’re seeing at the Olympics is exactly what we’ve been seeing all year. But he’s still a young player, so he’s going to continue to get better,” Gallagher said, as relayed by Sportsnet.
Some Canadiens fans are already envisioning Slafkovský as a future captain. While earning the “C” on his jersey will require continued dedication, Juraj is already demonstrating the qualities of a potential leader. And at just 21, Slafkovský’s journey is only just beginning.
- Autor: © Zoznam/
- Zdroj: Športky
