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This morning the Detroit Red Wings confirmed the speculation surrounding the possible signing of 21 year-old forward prospect Tomas Nosek of the Czech Republic.
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today signed left wing Tomas Nosek to a two-year entry-level contract. In accordance with club policy, additional details will not be disclosed.Nosek, 21, recently completed his third season for HC Pardubice in the Czech ExtraLiga, pacing the team with 44 points (19-25-44) in 52 games. In addition to leading the team in goals and assists, Nosek had a club-best plus-17 rating and contributed six points (3-3-6) in 10 postseason appearances. In 2012-13, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward tallied 14 points (5-9-14) in 50 games with the team, adding five points (4-1-5) in five contests with HC Hradec Kralove in second-tier Czech Republic and 14 points (5-9-14) in just six games with HC Pardubice’s under-20 team.
A native of Pardubice, Czech Republic, Nosek has appeared in 129 games in the Czech Republic’s top league since 2011-12, totaling 62 points (24-38-62) and helping his club capture the league championship during his rookie season. Prior to turning professional, he racked up 125 points (53-72-125) in 109 games at the under-20 level for HC Pardubice and 63 points (27-36-63) in the under-18 circuit. Nosek also appeared for his country internationally in 2011-12, serving as team captain during the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, recording one assist in six contests.
Tomas Nosek Forward Born Sep 1 1992 Height 6.02 -- Weight 201 -- Shoots L
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ---- Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2011-12 Pardubice HC Czech 27 0 4 4 2 -- -- -- -- -- 2012-13 Pardubice HC Czech 50 5 9 14 18 3 1 1 2 2 2013-14 Pardubice HC Czech 52 19 25 44 36 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is some info on Detroit's newest prospect from Detroit's director of player development, Jiri Fischer regarding Nosek:
"I'm really excited about him. He's a very smart two-way center who can play the wing. He's very responsible defensively, makes good plays. He's more of a playmaker than a natural finisher. He just gets better every year. He'll have to get stronger, work on his skating. He is a hard worker."
As per Ansar Khan of mlive.com, Nosek's agent, Ales Volek, represents Red Wings forward Tomas Jurco as well. Volek is a fan of Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill and how he aided in developing Jurco's game to transition to the National Hockey League. That certainly did not hinder Detroit's chances when it came to landing Nosek, who had about 6-8 NHL teams bidding for his services.
Nosek has really drawn the admiration of long-time Red Wing European scout Vladimir Havluj, who felt Nosek's leap in performance this season confirmed his potential and warranted an entry-level contract being extended by the Red Wings. With the departure of Calle Jarnkrok to Nashville in March, it opens up a spot in Grand Rapids for Nosek to adjust to the North American game and improve his strength under the guidance of the Red Wings. Havluj attributed some unfortunate luck with injuries when Nosek was18 for setting him back and resulting in Nosek being passed over during the past couple NHL Entry Drafts.
Realistically though, Mattias Janmark is the more likely eventual replacement for Jarnkrok in Grand Rapids. The Wings selected Janmark in the third round (79th overall) of the 2013 NHL draft after being passed over twice in the NHL Draft initially. He played two regular season and six post-season games with the Griffins following his season in Sweden.
Janmark, 21, will continue his development next season playing with Frolunda in the SHL, with an eye to coming to North America (most likely Grand Rapids) for the 2015-16 season.
mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com
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