If the 67’s can take one major positive out of this second
rebuilding year, it’s that the Nation’s Capital is finally a viable destination
for Europeans again in Major Junior hockey.
A year ago, it would’ve seemed unimaginable that an import
would find success with the Barberpoles.
Outside of Petr Mrazek, their past luck with the second draft of
the summer wasn’t anything to write home about, and with the ban on drafting
European goalies, it looked as though their best import drafting days were
behind them.
But now, forget the likes of Robert Farmer, whose role as a
pest quickly fell out of favour, Ladislav Zikmund, who was cut out of training
camp, or Richard Mraz, who simply left the team because he didn’t like North
American-style hockey.
Enter the 2013 import draft class.
While there were rumblings that Ottawa was looking at
forwards Andre Burakovsky and Ivan Nikolishin, now star players in their own
regard for Erie and Everett (WHL) respectively, this team desperately needed
defence.
While top Russian defensive prospect Dmitry Osipov went to
Vancouver first overall, Ottawa took Alex Lintuniemi with the next pick.
They stayed on the blueline in the second round, taking
Adrian Sloboda 62nd overall.
Right out of training camp, Chris Byrne made it a point to
play the two together. Despite a few struggles
in the team’s first pre-season game against Gatineau, Ottawa was set to
sink-or-swim with their two imports as their top d-pairing.
The two probably would have stayed together throughout the
year if they weren’t both hit by the injury bug.
“I had so many injuries this year, so it was a little bit
tough for me,” said Sloboda, who was unable to finish the season. “I had an ankle sprain, now a problem with my
knee, I might have to have surgery.”
“But it was still a pretty good season, I like Ottawa.”
Even with Sloboda out, the two saw each other on a regular
basis while sharing a billet.
“We talk a lot after the games,” said Lintuniemi on his
first year with Sloboda. “When we have
tough times, we talk to each other, we just cheer each other up and have fun.”
“It's been great.
It's a bit tough of course, we both know, being away from home, but at
the same time it's a lot of fun.”
However, with the season now in the books, there’s a lot of
focus on the off-season.
As much as the 67’s got a lot of production out of the two,
they also hold the seventh overall pick in this year’s import draft, and could
potentially have to deal one of the two away if they see an opportunity to add
another top European.
While Sloboda is getting operated on, Lintuniemi will be
getting ready to try and hit the pro ranks.
“I'm pretty excited, hoping to do well in the draft, and
just trying to do my best,” said Lintuniemi, who is expected to be a mid-round
pick at the NHL draft in June.
“Lintuniemi is very good on D,” added Sloboda. “He should play in the NHL. He's big, so he's good for this league.”
Regardless of what happens in the off-season, both young men
are hoping for the possibility to be re-united in the Barberpoles next year.
“This team was still too young,” said Sloboda. “We could be better next year, and the year
after next year I think.”
Lintuniemi and Sloboda were a big part of the reason the 67’s
stayed in the playoff race at all this season.
All they want now is the opportunity to actually get into
the post-season next year.
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