OTTAWA – Eduard Sale’s collection of World Junior Championship medals is quite impressive, but he is still missing one that would add a little more luster to his record.
After silver in his first participation, and bronze, acquired after a crazy match against Finland last year, the Czech striker is back for a final lap with just one goal in mind: bring gold back to the country for the first time since 2001.
“It’s obvious how much he wants her,” said assistant coach Ladislav Smid, a former NHLer.
At the end of a rather successful preliminary round, Czechia (3-0-0-1) meets Canada in the quarter-finals on Thursday, a repeat of last year’s scenario. Sale and his team had the upper hand 3-2, thanks to a goal scored with 11.7 seconds remaining in the match.
With the difficulties encountered by the host country in this tournament – we will remember the loss in the shootout against Latvia – it is far from being excluded that the Czechs will play spoilsport again.
“Everything is possible,” said Sale, who wears the C on his sweater. It’s like this every year at this tournament. Anything can happen in one match. That’s what’s the most enjoyable, and that’s why we play the matches. »
The Seattle Kraken prospect is hungry, and he’s setting the standard for his team.
He is tied for first in goals (4) and is third in scoring (6) on his team – one point behind Vojtech Hradec and Jakub Stancl. After he scored on a penalty shot in an eventual 4-2 loss to Sweden, he was seen trying to tease his teammates on the bench.
Sale knows that this responsibility lies with him. He learned from his good friend Jiri Kulich, a beast in recent years, and he intends to take up the torch and carry it high.
“I had bigger and bigger roles with this team,” said the 19-year-old skater. The first year was difficult because I was still very young. Last year, I would have liked to give more offensively, but an injury slowed me down. It was hard to live up to it.
“This year, I know it’s up to me to lead the club. I have AHL experience, and I know what I can bring to the ice when I’m at the top of my game. »
After a season spent with the Barrie Colts and the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, Sale made the jump to the Kraken organization this year. As he was already acclimated to the reality of North American hockey, his transition to the professionals was a little smoother.
From experience
So far, the 2023 first-round pick has four goals and 13 points in 23 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He started the season well, but he was limited to one assist in his last 10 outings. As much as he can help his country in this tournament, he can also use it to rebuild his confidence.
“It was more difficult in the last few matches, but I still feel comfortable at this level,” he assured. It’s difficult to come back to the junior level at this time of the year because the style of play is different. I can still use my experience. It’s the same game at the end of the day. »
The important thing is that his leadership and the way he behaves rubs off on the rest of the group.
“He is the leader in the locker room,” concluded Smid. It’s easy to see that he’s playing in the pros. He has pro habits, he has a very good shot, he can bring the puck to the net and score in tight spaces. It’s good to have a player like him who can make a difference in the team. »
It remains to be seen if he will do it against Canada, while the spotlight will be on him.
