Minnesota Wild Prospect Pavel Jenys Cut From Czech World Juniors Championship Roster

Eighteen-year-old Pavel Jenys has been cut from the Czech Republic National Junior Team for this year’s International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship.

The 2014 seventh-round draft pick (199 overall) of the Minnesota Wild will return to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, after missing the last two games while attending the Czech training camp.

In 28 games for the Wolves this season, Jenys has posted eight goals and 16 assists. It is his first year playing in North America after coming over from HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga, where he tallied two goals in 29 games last season.

Jenys being cut from the Czech junior team isn’t exactly a reflection of his play. He has been productive this season for Sudbury, who has the worst record in the OHL. On Tuesday, Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News tweeted:

“Jakub Zboril, Filip Chlapik & Pavel Jenys cut by Czech WJC team. Coach said CHLers were at disadvantage, but was their choice to play here.”

The Czechs like to see their young talent stay home instead of leaving to playing junior in North America. But Jenys left Brno to play in the Canadian Hockey League. Playing with similarly-aged players gives Jenys an expanded role on his team, and lets him experience the North American-style of hockey.

Born on April 2nd, 1996, Jenys can make his national junior team next year. The team certainly doesn’t use a blanket rule that excludes eligible players in the CHL from representing the country. Look for Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting, who is projected to be an early first-round pick in this year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft, to crack the roster.

I was able to see Jenys play one game this year. Sudbury was in Belleville to play the Bulls back on September 27th. The Bulls beat the Wolves 2-1, but Jenys had a good game. He is a strong skater, with size (six-foot-two, 192 pounds). He was held off the scoresheet, but shot the puck well. The left-hander has a quick release on a heavy snapshot. He also passes well. His vision on the ice led to him setting up teammates on multiple occasions, though they were unable to capitalize.

Based off his skill set and his size, there is potential for him to make the NHL down the road.