Stefan Goes From Czech Extra to Ice Dog with a Big Future

Center Patrik Stefan of the Czech Republic is only 17 years old, but he appears on the fast track for an NHL career.

He emerged as one of the top junior players in the world with Sparta Prague in the Czech Extra league early this season and has played with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League the last three months.

Although he hasn’t had much of a playoff impact for the Ice Dogs, who go into tonight’s game at the Long Beach Arena trailing Chicago, 3-0, in their best-of-seven Western Conference finals, Stefan’s stock continues to rise.

He is 6 feet 2, 200 pounds and is still growing. His strong play with the puck has inspired comparison to another Czech-born forward in Jaromir Jagr, and his skating already ranks among the best among Ice Dog players.

“He’d be very close to a top-five pick if he was in this year’s draft,” King General Manager Dave Taylor said. “He has ability, great size, skill and competes real hard.”

Had Stefan, who turns 18 Sept. 16, been born a couple of days earlier, he could have gone in the 1998 draft. So because the NHL can’t touch him for one more year, Stefan made the decision to leave home and play against the men in the IHL to prepare himself for the more physical NHL despite his age.

“To come here at his age, being so young, is really tough,” said Ice Dog teammate Patrik Augusta, who left the Czech Republic to play in the United States when he was 22, seven years ago. “I really can’t imagine myself doing this when I was 17. I was way too young. But, everyone’s different . . . and I think that it helps that he has people who take care of him very well.”

Stefan could have decided to play with the Ice Dogs last year, but after he and his family traveled to the U.S. and watched them play a playoff game in Houston, they decided that 16 was a little too young.

Stefan returned to his homeland and worked to get ready for playing with the Ice Dogs. When play in the Czech Republic stopped for the Olympic break, Stefan left and signed a 25-game tryout contract with the Ice Dogs on Feb. 3. He has been here ever since.

“When I first came here last year, I didn’t think I was ready physically,” Stefan said. “Now, I give it a try. It’s a good league. Good team. I also get to play here. In Czech, I don’t play more. I play, but not every game.”

On the ice, Stefan’s combination of strength, speed and skill have made him a very promising prospect. He scored five goals and had 15 points in 25 games and improved steadily.

“Everyone knows about how skillful a player he is, but what is so impressive is how he’s adjusted to the physical style of play here,” Long Beach Coach Jon Van Boxmeer said. “He’s not shy at all. . . . He’s shown a great willingness to compete. There’s a reason why everyone is so excited about him. He has all the tools: size, skill and great vision. He has such a great comprehension of all the little things that it’s a surprise . . . and he’s only going to get better.”

Off the ice, Stefan has had a little tougher time. Because he spoke very little English when he joined the Ice Dogs, Stefan lived with Augusta for a few weeks.

Stefan’s English didn’t really improve until he moved into the home of Robert Butkus, a team season-ticket holder. Stefan’s parents joined him late last month, and now he’s staying with his father until the end of the playoffs. “Not once has he ever seemed homesick. He’s such a mature young man that I have to keep reminding myself that he’s only 17,” Butkus said.