Three players to watch on Team Slovakia at 2024 WJC
Adam Gajan, G: The goalie who came out of nowhere and was sensational in this event last year. He was named the tournament’s top goalie after a 2.40 GAA and .936 save percentage performance. What makes the story more amazing is that he was on an NAHL roster to start last season, typically not a place where top-end talent resides. Gajan was taken by the Chicago Blackhawks in Round 3 of the 2023 NHL draft. He’s 6-foot-, 190 pounds and is back with USHL Green Bay where his numbers have been decent with 14 wins and a .911 save percentage, good enough for second in the league.
Filip Mesar, RW: Another Slovak playing in North America, Mesar started the year in AHL Laval before being sent back to Kitchener for his second OHL season. Upon his return he put up points in eight of his first nine games, totalling five goals and 13 assists. The 26th overall pick by Montreal in the 2022 NHL draft, Mesar is a slick playmaker who gets around the ice well. This will be his second WJC appearance and he’s expected to be amongst the top players for Slovakia.
Dalibor Dvorsky, C: When things didn’t quite work out with his new SHL club, Dvorsky committed to OHL Sudbury. That’s proven to be the right decision, as he’s assimilated quickly to the North American game. Dvorsky showed up in Sudbury on October 20 and in the 20 games he’s played he has been pointless only twice. All told he has 18 goals and 34 points. He’s a rarity in that this will be his third world junior tournament. Dvorsky is highly intelligent, very responsible, and immensely talented. He was taken 10th overall by St. Louis in the 2023 NHL draft.
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