Adam Jiricek

 Jiricek proved himself in the top Czech pro league with HC Plzen and player regularly there for two seasons. He is a lanky right shot defenseman who is going to fill out. Unfortunately he suffered a knee injury after the first game of the World Junior U-20s that required surgery. So the following if pre-injury look ate his strengths/ weaknesses. He is a better skater than his brother, but doesn't shoot the puck like he does.  He gets back in position in transition when there is a puck-turn over-break-a-way, due to his excellent footwork, which sold me on his long term potential. Already strong along the boards where he ties the opposing player up and coming out with pucks. Is able to play hard minutes against strong opponents. He is strong in his end in transition, quickly getting pucks out of his end and on their way on the attack. He accelerates out of his end when carrying and protects the puck well. His comfortable of the power play and fluidly walks the blue line and pass it off both sides of his blade or accurately put it on net. The injury does knock him back a bit, and I would see his selection is one where he is the last best player available in a tier and a team will have to decide on his or a lesser player.

                                                                       --Bill Płaczek--