CANTLON’S CORNER: Chytil DeliverING Early On Promise
BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – It was a hunch and observation.
Last weekend, Hartford Wolf Pack head coach, Keith McCambridge, switched his young star, Filip Chytil, to a different line and his team was rewarded by the team’s 18-year-old rookie-sensation, Filip Chytil, by his coming up with a goal and two assists.
“You’re reading the game and what you can see varies game-to-game,” McCambridge said. “If you’re not getting the chemistry, (Chytil) might have been a little flat (in game one). The way I coach, I’m not going to wait around and try to see if something is going to develop and hope a period or period-and-a-half goes by until they start to click. So, you make adjustments and try to find that chemistry. It worked out ok on Saturday.”
Chytil is a work in progress, but his skill level is undeniable. An NHL veteran West Coast, high-ranking, organizational, official said, “He’s young, but you can see how much skill he has and it stands out. He has a very bright future ahead of him.”
McCambridge was even is his assessment. “In his first game, he did some nice things. He had some good minutes, and you get a feel for his game. In Springfield, I think he got more confidence and was more comfortable with possession of the puck. There was no hesitation to his game. This is where you see a young player is confident in their game and watch his progression and he finished off well in the game. You could see his confidence (grow) after he scored that goal.”
The youngster, still working on learning English as much as he on faceoffs – and he is adept at both – is very happy in Hartford.
“Once, I got the first goal it help(ed) me feel more comfortable with the (new) line. Vinni has a good shot, and we all skate really well, so it worked out (for us). We all played well together.”
Chytil was a first-round pick in last summer’s draft. The promise that comes with that selection added to how well he played in training camp, more than exceeded the Rangers’ expectations. He has grown right from the first days of training camp which started for Chytil back in early September in Traverse City.
He played some wing in New York, but playing center is his preferred position. With the Rangers history of struggling to develop their centers, this is a pleasant departure.
“I like center. It gives you more responsibility, to score goals, and play in your own zone. I play a little wing in New York, but I’m a center.”
He showed his promise assisting on Vinni Lettieri’s first pro goal. It wasn’t a home run bomb, but a well-placed short pass that hit Lettieri in stride after he broke from his check from the Springfield Thunderbirds‘, Anthony Greco. Lettieri received the pass as he cut across the blue line and used a backhander to take the lead 1-0. Chytil smiled broadly just when asked about the play.
“I was on the wing, and I saw him and got it to him. (Vinni) made a nice shot. It was my first AHL point and enjoy every shift after that,” Chytil said with a laugh.
McCambridge was very enthused with the skill Chytil showed on the play. “The awareness on that play from a young player, with that skill set, that’s a perfect example of what he brings in a game.”
The smile continued while Chytil talked about his follow-up on Cole Schneider’s rebound for his first pro goal which would also be the game-winner.
“Cole made a great play. I was right there for the rebound. It was at my (feet), so it was tough (in tight). I was glad it went in, and first AHL goal makes me happy,” Chytil said.
The previous night against Toronto, Chytil surpassed a 43-year-old AHL record when he became the youngest player in the league history to play in a game. He beat Mario Tremblay’s record by two days. Tremblay’s record was set against the Hershey Bears was skating for the late great Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
During Rangers camp, Chytil absorbed quite a bit while paired with former CT Whale, Mats Zuccarello. It was a perfect combination for Chytil and his scoring the overtime game-winner against the New Jersey Devils in his first pre-season came didn’t hurt either.
“Nice to score overtime first game,” Chytil said. “I got more confidence after every shift that night with Zukey (Mats Zuccarello) and (Rick) Nash. They helped me, and I got more confident with the puck. They’re great guys.”
Zuccarello became an immediate mentor to the young Czech.
“Zukey really helped me on ice so much since that was my first game on the (smaller) ice in North America. I play games in the Czech league and some international junior, but this is pro hockey, so different. I spent time with him understand (how) to use the boards. I thank God I had him.”
Playing on the smaller ice surface is always a transition for the European players. The Norwegian Rangers’ star, in Zuccarello, himself just a few years removed from his time in Hartford, helped Chytil in the beginning to understand the differences for this aspect of the pro game.
“He knew how Europe (rinks) are so much bigger. It’s so much quicker here. So much faster (to make a play). He helped me, and everybody on the team helped me it was an amazing experience.”
Chytil hails from a small village in the northern part of the Czech Republic called, Kromerisz. Its population is between 500—700. The town is about 30 minutes from the Republic of Slovakia border, and about three hours from Prague. Chytil’s parents both work, so they were unable to attend his NHL debut in October against Colorado, but they have the internet and have watched every game NHL or AHL he has played in.
He had a contract to play in the Czech Republic this year but decided to come to Hartford instead of returning home.
“That is tough. I really like it here. I wanted to work to get better, and I wasn’t sure, but I’m glad I stayed in New York, and I’m happy to be here in Hartford. It’s dream from my childhood. Every hockey player wants to stand out there on opening night at MSG, so (very) special for me.”
Like every young Czech player, they all hold legendary number 68, Jaromir Jagr, as the gold standard in hockey. Jagr supplanted the great Peter Stastny of the Quebec Nordiques on the mountaintop of Czech hockey.
“(Jagr’s) the best player in the Czech Republic. He is a legend. He was my favorite from seven or eight years old when he played for Pittsburgh and Washington. It would be great to play against him or if I was lucky (to play) with him. I am glad he signed with Calgary and that he is still in the NHL. He loves hockey.”
He is about to enter his first three-games-in-three-day AHL weekend. Chytil seemed unfazed.
“I want to play as many games as I can.”
The Rangers play Calgary at home in early February. They travel to the Saddledome in early March. Maybe, that will be the day that the young Czech cub gets to meet older Czech lion?
OLYMPICS
The US released the roster for the upcoming Deutschland Cup November 10-12. The tournament is held and played in Augsburg, Germany. That competition will help determine what will become the final US Olympic Team that will participate at the PyeonChang, South Korea Olympic Games.
The roster consists of 29 players. It’s not a final product but does feature many ex-Wolf Pack, Sound Tigers, and Yale players dotting the lineup.
The former Wolf Pack players on the roster include Bobby Sanguinetti, who is now playing with HC Lugano (Switzerland-LNA), Ryan Malone with Iowa (AHL), and Chad Kolarik who’s with Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL). Also on the roster are Matt Gilroy who skates for Jokerit Helsinki (Finland-KHL) and also, soon-to-be-inducted into the Boston University Hall-of-Fame, Dylan Reese, who’s also an ex-Sound Tiger skating with HV71 (Sweden-SHL).
Besides Reese, former Sound Tigers include Sean Backman (Greenwich/Avon Old Farms/Yale) now with Eisbaren Berlin (Germany-DEL), goalie Dave Leggio EHC Munich (Germany-DEL) and Matt Donovan who’s with Frolunda HC (Sweden-SHL).
Current Yale head coach Keith Allain is one of the US Olympic team assistant coaches. There is also a slew of Yale Bulldogs on the roster.
Milford-native, Mark Arcobello, who played public school hockey at Fairfield Prep and at Salisbury Prep before lacing them up with Yale, now skates for SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA), Brian O’Neill of Jokerit Helsinki (Finland-KHL) and Broc Little HC Davos (Switzerland-LNA).
The CT hockey bloodlines don’t end there. Besides Allain, one of the other assistant coaches is Ben Smith, who was an assistant at Yale under the late Tim Taylor. Scott Young is a former Hartford Whaler and the Director of Player Development for the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins, and who is set for induction into the US HHOF in December.
Head coach Tony Granato is an ex-Ranger (1988-1990).
NOTES:
The Belleville Senators lineup has undergone several changes this week. Defenseman Thomas Chabot was sent down by the parent Ottawa Senators. Chabot was a first-round pick, (18th overall) in the 2015 draft. Chabot comes from the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL).
The team endured three suspensions from last week’s opening game against the Syracuse Crunch. Captain and veteran, Mike Blunden, was hit with a match penalty and a one-game suspension, which he sat out last Saturday’s game against Hershey as his punishment.
Max McCormick and Vince Dunn were also hit with one game bans and will not be available for their game with the Wolf Pack.
Going up to the NHL is this week’s AHL Player of the Week, Providence’s Kenny Agostino (Yale University) due to the injury suffered by Ryan Spooner, who will be out 4-6 weeks with right groin abductor tear.
Heading back to the AHL is Wade Megan (Salisbury Prep) reassigned by the St. Louis Blues to the Chicago Wolves.
Brad Malone, nephew of former Whaler, Greg Malone, and the cousin of ex-Pack Ryan Malone, was recalled by Edmonton from Bakersfield.
Brandon Gormley is another AHL’er from last year who has signed in Europe with Mora IK (Sweden-SHL). He split last year with Binghamton and Albany. Tyson Strachan from Rochester signed with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL) and Zybnek Michalek Tucson signed with HC Sparta Prague (Czech Republic-CEL).
That makes 92 players from last year to sign in Europe.
Jenny Potter, the former women’s head coach with Trinity College varsity women’s squad, was named the head coach of the Slovak women’s national team.
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