EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a look at the latest international hockey headlines.

Colorado Avalanche rookie forward Jaroslav Hlinka hasn’t registered a point in his last eight games after bursting out of the gate earlier this season. Hlinka signed with the Avalanche this past summer after leading the Czech Extraliga last season in scoring with 19 goals and 38 assists in 46 games played with HC Sparta Praha, his hometown club.
Milan Hedjuk had a lot to do with the Avs signing of the 30-year-old center as he basically told team management that this guy could Get ‘R Done. He started the season with two goals and 1 assist in the first three games, but has since cooled right off (11 games played, 1 goal, 2 assists). He started the season playing with super sophomore Paul Stastny and Andrew Brunette, but has since been bumped down to the third line.
Hlinka is rather small by North-American standards but has a low center of gravity and is solid for his size. He is an extremely gifted playmaker with loads of international hockey experience. He has played profesionally in the Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland. Hlinka has represented his country at the World Hockey Championships on six different occasions (winning gold medal in 2001 World Championship with Team Czech Republic).

– New York Rangers 2006 4th round Draft Pick David Kveton (104th overall) is looking good in the Czech Extra Liga this season for HC Ocelari Trinec. The 19-year-old center has 7 goals and 2 assists in 16 games playing in a league stacked with veterans like Petr Nedved, Pavel Patera and Jaroslav Balastik.

According to the Central Scouting Report: Kveton is a good Skater with acceleration, quickness and balance … soft hands – controls the puck very well … a smart player with very good vision … a very creative offensive minded player … has a good reach … very good overall skill level … a finesse type of player.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.