Zbynek Hrdel

Name: Zbynek Hrdel
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6.04
Weight: 195 lbs
Born: 8/19/85
Acquired: 2003 Entry Draft, 9th Round, 286 Overall

Junior Career
Zbynek Hrdel began his hockey career outside the Czech Extraliga developmental apparatus playing for Havlickuv Brod at age 16 posting 6 goals and 12 points in 13 games. The next season, in 2000-2001 he was picked up by the Sparta Praha organization where he spent two seasons in J18. In 2000-2001 he had 11 goals and 22 points in 46 games which he improved upon in 2001-2002 scoring 24 goals and 43 points in 31 games. That summer Hrdel was selected 69th overall by Rimouski in the 2002 CHL Import Draft. Hrdel jumped at the opportunity to come to North America and in 2002-2003 he scored 10 goals and 24 points in 65 games as a rookie in the QMJHL. That year he was selected to join Team Czech Republic in the 2003 U18 World Junior Championships where he had one goal in 6 games. At season's end he was ranked 105th amongst North American based skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Service and he was selected in the 9th round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer. In 2003-2004 phenom Sidney Crosby joined les Oceanic and the team improved greatly helping Hrdel to raise his plus minus by and incredible 79 points over his rookie season to +19. In 54 regular season games he had 15 goals and 46 points which he followed with a strong playoff drive scoring 4 goals and 10 points in 9 games. He was not, however, selected to participate for the Czech Republic in the 2004 U20 World Junior Championships. That honor would have to wait for the magical 2004-2005 season. Prior to the year he participated for the Lightning in the 2004 Traverse City prospect tournament where he had 1 goal and 2 points in 3 games. Back in the QMJHL, Hrdel set his junior career highs of 23 goals and 58 points in 56 games before chipping in 8 goals and 15 points in 13 playoff games as Rimouski claimed the QMJHL championship and advanced all the way to the Memorial Cup final before being ousted by London of the OHL. In the 2005 World Junior Championships, where he had 1 goal in 7 games en route to claiming a bronze medal. That year Hrdel was also named to the Rimouski Oceanic's all-time team along side former Rimouski stars Brad Richards and Vincent Lecavalier.

Professional Career
Hrdel was signed by the Lightning in the summer of 2005 and participated in the 2005 Traverse City prospect tournament where he had 3 assists in 4 games. After attending camp for the Lightning and Falcons he was assigned to Johnstown of the ECHL where he stayed for 4 games before being recalled to Springfield. Hrdel played 32 games with the Falcons scoring 4 goals and 12 points before being returned to Johnstown where he has been playing ever since.

Talent Analysis
Pros:
Hrdel has great size and reach and is a crafty player offensively. He has above average ability to pass and shoot the puck.

Cons:
Hrdel's skating is average so he must compensate by using his size and strength to create space for himself down low, something he doesn't always do.

Future
Hrdel seemed to take a big step when he started using his size early in the season to earn a promotion to Springfield. He was somewhat of a perimeter player during his time in Rimouski, and his play in that department fell off a bit prior to his demotion to Johnstown. From a skill set standpoint he probably doesn't have what it takes to be a scoring liner in the NHL so it is important for Zbynek to prove himself in the defensive checking game and mold himself into a responsible lower line player who can chip in offensively.

Statistics Courtesy hockeydb.com

Profile Created 2/25/06 by Pete Choquette