Prospect update: Ondrej Roman
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
The 2009-10 season was basically a lost one for Dallas Stars prospect Ondrej Roman, who got bogged down with contractual issues in his native Czech Republic.
"The whole year I was trying to get out of the Czech League, but I had a contract that was keeping me there," Roman said. "It got worked out in January and I came over here, but I am unable to play because of AHL rules."
The slick, playmaking forward, who plays both center and wing, bounced around three different levels of hockey in Czech Republic before signing an entry-level contract with Dallas.
The Stars were hoping to put the 21-year-old in the AHL, but complications with the contract situation coming out of the Czech League kept him from joining the Texas Stars by the AHL's Clear Day Roster deadline, which determines a team's roster for the end of the regular season and playoffs.
"He's a talented young player, but he ran into contractual issues in the Czech Republic and it didn't work out great for his development," said Les Jackson, Stars Director of Scouting and Player Development. "We were able to get him signed and over here, but really in a sense it was a lost year."
The Stars and Roman have, however, made the best of the situation. Roman has been working out with the Texas Stars in preparation for next season.
"I got to know the guys, the coaches and the system here," Roman said after coming off the ice at a recent practice at Cedar Park Center. "I think it will help me for next season. I'll be prepared. I think it will help me."
He also spent some time in Dallas, where he worked with Stars strength and conditioning coach J.J. McQueen.
"He's been working on his conditioning. I think that was the silver lining of all this," said Jackson. "He's a light kid and he needed that, so we were able to salvage that part of it."
Roman said he's already feeling the benefits of the conditioning work.
"The strength and conditioning coach gave me a plan to work on for the last month," Roman said. "I feel good and strong. Too bad I can't put it in a game."
Roman, a 5th round pick (136th overall) in 2007, has plenty of North American experience under his belt already. He played two-and-a-half seasons in the Western Hockey League, where he helped the Spokane Chiefs win the WHL championship and the Memorial Cup in 2008. He'll get his first taste of North American pro hockey next season.
"He'll play in Austin next year and we'll be able to assess where he is," said Jackson. "He's a pretty gifted player so I sense that he may find his way."
| Ondrej Roman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vital Info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: April 8, 1989 in
Ostrava, Czech Republic Height/Weight: 6-0/170 pounds Position: Center/Left wing Shoots: Left Selected by the Dallas Stars in the 5th round (136th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft |
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| 2009-10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Played a three different levels of Czech hockey. Had one goal and two assists in 26 games with Vítkovice in the top league in the Czech Republic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Background | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In 2008-09 Roman spilt time between Czech Republic and North America. He had three goals and six assists in 26 games playing in Czech Republic the first half of the season and ten goals and 22 assists in 32 games with Spokane of the WHL in the second half of the season. He had one goal and four assists in 12 WHL playoff games. He played for the Czechs at the World Junior Championship, registering four goals and four assists in six games. ... In 2007-08 Roman had 15 goals and 46 assists in 72 games for Spokane (WHL). Tied for the team lead in playoff scoring, notching 20 points (nine goals, eleven assists) as Spokane won the WHL championship. Had two assists in four games as Spokane won the Memorial Cup. ... In 2006-07 he had four goals and 44 assists in 70 games with Spokane (WHL). Scored one goal and had four assists in six playoff games. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scouting Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excellent playmaker and passer. Handles the puck well, especially in traffic. Has a good shot, but will often pass on using it. Very smart player with good offensive instincts. Anticipates plays well. Very effective on the power play. Good attitude and work ethic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quotable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We think he is one of the best passers in the Western Hockey League. He is a very good playmaker who is very creative and has great vision. He definitely makes players around him better and we have liked him for a while now." Dennis Holland, Dallas Stars scout |
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