IHM Client Rohlik Drafted By Tri-City USHL

by Chris White

International Hockey Management is proud to announce that client, Ondřej Rohlík, has been selected by the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League's Phase II Draft. The USHL is the top junior league in the United States, and the only one at the Tier-I level. In last year's NHL Draft, 9 players with USHL ties were selected in the 1st Round, and 55 in total. Rohlík played last season with HC Pardubice in the Czech Republic's top U20 league. The June 17, 2001 born center is a 6'1, 161-pound left shot.

Rohlík finished the season with a stat line of 41GP-21G-25A-51PTS, and was named Team MVP. His performance peaked during the DHL Super Cup Playoffs, when he finished 2nd in the country, scoring 15 Points in just 6 Games Played. In addition to his breakout junior season, he also made his debut for HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Tipsport Extraliga. He was a Top-10 scorer in Czech U20, and Top-5 for his birth year. Rohlík now has his eyes set on the junior league in the US, with the hope of earning an NCAA Division-I scholarship.

Tri-City is coming off of an abbreviated 24-17-5 season, where they sat 4th in the USHL's Western Division. Two seasons ago, they lost in the Conference Finals, after earning the Anderson Cup, given to the league's top regular season team. The organization's first, and only, Clark Cup came in 2015-2016. Blake Coleman and Jayden Schwartz are two of many Storm players to move onto NHL careers. The club has also placed 256 players into NCAA Division-I, since their inaugural season in 2000-2001. There are more than 700 current NCAA Division-I hockey players from the USHL, while 7 of the last 8 Hobey Baker winners also came from the USHL.

The Storm should be a great fit for Rohlík, in his first year of North American hockey. They are poised to return two important veteran forwards, Adam Klapka (Prague, Czech Republic) and Matthew Knies (Scottsdale, AZ), who could help accelerate Ondřej's adjustment period. The University of Minnesota commit, Knies, was born in Arizona, but to Slovakian parents. Tri-City Storm Head Coach and President of Hockey Operations, and Team USA World Junior Challenge Head Coach, Anthony Noreen, thinks there is a great support group in place to help Rohlík quickly transition, and be able to focus on his game.

International Hockey Management President, Chris White, commented,

"We are all very happy for Ondřej, and this is a well-deserved honor. He is coming off a fantastic year, in Czech Republic, and new challenges lie ahead. We targeted Tri-City for a number of reasons, and we couldn't be more pleased that they were able to select Ondřej. I'm very excited to see how this opportunity will turn out, for him. I think it will motivate him to become the best player he can be, and obviously, the USHL is one of the best developmental platforms in the world, right now."

Q & A with onDŘEJ

How do you feel, right now?

I am really happy right now, I am excited about that. It’s a great feeling to be drafted to USHL.

How quickly did all of this happen, for you?

I was talking about everything with IHM, and my brother, just in last couple weeks.

How did you decide you wanted to play in North America, and what made you choose IHM?

I want to challenge myself, and make a step to the better league. Also, I want to become a better player, and this is a good opportunity. I chose IHM because I met Chris White two years ago, he was my brother's coach in USA, and he gave me good references.

What are your personal goals for this off-season, and your first year in the US?

I want to become stronger and put some weight on. It will be a good challenge, and I can’t wait to play for the Tri-City Storm!