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Post by HabbaDasher on Jul 30, 2005 15:48:58 GMT -5
Here's what CBC.ca says about Mikus
Juraj Mikus, C/W, HK 36 Skalica (Slovakia)
Mikus saw time at three different levels with HK 36 Skalica, but played mainly in the Slovakia Extraliga this past season; led Slovakia in points by registering seven assists in six games at the 2005 World U-18 tournament; owns natural playmaking ability and a projectable frame; is a smart hockey player with or without the puck; can line up either at center or wing, but projects as a pivot in the pros; needs to add more strength in order to maximize his NHL potential; is versatile
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Post by Yeti on Jul 30, 2005 16:26:17 GMT -5
More from Hockey's Future
From ISS 2005 NHL Draft Guide, two of the most unheralded prospects to watch for:
Juraj Mikus
Position: Right Wing
Born: 2-22-87
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
ISS Ranking: #32
ISS Oct. Ranking: #168
Report Card
Size/Strength B
Skating A-
Shot/Scoring B+
Puckhandling B+
Hockey Sense B+
Leadership B
Poise B
Defense C+
Skill: Plays with intensity at all times. Excellent skater with mobility and lateral movement. Has a good scoring touch
Scouting Report: Every year some unforeseen prospect jumps up out of the woodwork, grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go, like Juraj Mikus. Here at ISS we believe Mikus is one of the more skilled and talented forwards available in the draft, and as a result, he has risen to 32nd in our rankings. His game-breaking speed, balance, net drive, shot selection, and versatility leave all sorts of doors open for him. He could turn into a dynamic first-line scoring forward, or a two-way second-line forward if he works on his defensive-zone coverage. He adapted extremely well to playing in the Slovak Extraleague. He started the season alternating between Skalica’s first and junior team. With the first team he mostly played on third or fourth line. In November, shortly after a coaching change, Mikus took advantage of the increased ice-time to become a regular player.
NHL Potential: Huge potential and upside – lots to work with for a NHL team. Style compares to: Milan Hejduk.
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Post by Lyle_Odelein on Jul 30, 2005 16:47:43 GMT -5
Juraj Mikus will be the best player in the NHL in 5 years. Mark my words!!!
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Post by blny on Jul 30, 2005 19:24:14 GMT -5
I like what I read here. Defence can be taught. He's got enough height to fill out some - say to 190 or so. I like that they said he plays hard. Not heard of him, but will be interested to see him progress.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 30, 2005 20:44:36 GMT -5
Hailing from the same western Slovakian town as Zigmund Pálffy, Jozef Balej, and Miroslav Zalesak, Juraj Mikus is the latest attack-minded forward from Skalica. After a successful 2003-04 season with the Skalica midget squad (35 points and +28 in 34 games), Juraj was expected to anchor the junior team in 2004-05. Juraj did just that as he piled up 35 points and a +16 in 30 junior games. Juraj’s great skill caught the attention of the pro team’s coach, Ivan Cerny, and Juraj was promoted to play alongside the seniors for most of the season. At first, Juraj’s pro games were limited to watching the game from the bench for almost the entire game. As Skalica kept losing an astonishing amount of games, star players such as Zigmund Pálffy and Miroslav Zalesak left for Czech League teams and the senior team started to play their young players more and more. For Juraj, this meant a lot more ice time on the 3rd forward unit. Juraj finished with 6 goals and 6 assists in 46 Extraleague games. In total, Mikus played 85 games for Skalica at various levels last season; a number unheard of from any European-based player. Mikus was a mainstay for Team Slovakia at various International tournaments, and didn’t let the heavy schedule affect his game. At the end of the season, Mikus played with plenty of energy at the World Under-18 Junior Championships. Juraj, plunked on a formation with fellow touted prospects Richard Lelkes and Mario Bliznak, was Slovakia’s most dangerous offensive weapon as he led the squad with 7 assists in 6 games. - more... |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 31, 2005 18:50:35 GMT -5
A snippet from Red Line:
10/19/2004:
Juraj Mikus : Slovak winger is a bit of a sleeper, but he's got a wonderful mix of size, skating ability and skills. Should develop nicely.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 2, 2005 10:11:11 GMT -5
A snippet from NWTHabsFan:
Great pick!!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 2, 2005 13:09:39 GMT -5
Another piece from the same writer as the link that Mr B provided above talks about the seven Slovakian players drafted this year, and has a short piece of Mikus. A few things of note: - declined on the CHL because he has signed a pro deal with his Slovakian EliteLeague team for the season, so I am not worried about him not wanting to come to North America or signing a pro contract with the Habs within two years - moved up to a third line role with his team and was used in lots of situations this past year (as a 17 year old!) - is willing to crash the net and is a very versatile forward - the knock is his defensive play, which the coaches in the Habs' system can work on without a problem and I am sure will be worked on in his full season in the mens' league this year (you can coach defense, but offense is a lot tougher to develop!) www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7835&mode=threaded&order=0 |
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Post by Forum Ghost on Aug 2, 2005 16:15:50 GMT -5
Juraj Mikus will be the best player in the NHL in 5 years. Mark my words!!! I hope you're right but what makes you so confident? That's a really bold statement. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 2, 2005 16:52:22 GMT -5
McKeen's had this to say about Mikus' performance at the World U18: Tournament wrap-up: bounced back from the sub-par showing at the February Vlado Dzurilla Under-18 tournament and pulled off a delightful performance .. delivered steady quality performances in all games and even if he still showed holes in his game, he turned out to be the undisputed Slovak leader at forward .. lacks only elite first step and physical strength to rank himself among the most impressive forwards of this tournament .. was smart and patient in puck-possession during the opening two games .. named Slovak 'Player of the game' against Finland after a strong showing .. was left alone as the only quality player on the attack in the quarterfinal game against Sweden .. the last game against Russia was the only one where he could show up more .. only Phil Kessel's outburst in the gold-medal game made him tied for the crown of the tournament's best passer with 7 assists .. leading Slovak scorer (7 points) .. finished eighth in tournament scoring. Scouting: a decent skater with an okay stride .. displays adequate top-end speed, but doesn't win skating races .. solid agility .. could upgrade on lower-body strength and balance .. possesses soft hands and smooth puckhandling skills .. an offensive forward who wants the puck .. very smooth and patient in puck-possession .. waits for plays to develop and then makes the right decision .. brings himself into scoring positions, but should develop a bigger variety of shots .. uses mostly his solid wrist or snap shot .. average defensive play .. needs to read the plays in his own zone better .. should mark his man faster and return to his own end with more determination .. prone to inconsistent showings .. doesn't drive the net hard and shows odd moments when he refuses to create and battle traffic .. should throw his body around more often and hit harder .. a right-shooting forward. mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=428608 |
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Post by Lyle_Odelein on Aug 6, 2005 1:57:36 GMT -5
Juraj Mikus will be the best player in the NHL in 5 years. Mark my words!!! I hope you're right but what makes you so confident? That's a really bold statement. I say that because I've seen him play. He's tremendously skilled as a 17 year old prospect. He might be a late bloomer, but there's many Europeans who can be labellled as such. He's also got tremendous moxy and heart which is not all too common in European players of his age. With good coaching he'll be able to write his own cheques in the NHL, he's that good. Think of an inspired Satan or Palffy who is not afraid to backcheck. He's that good. Mark my words, he will be dynamite. He's our best pick from this draft (and I absolutly LOVE the Latandresse steal at 45.) Mark my words, in 10 years, everybody will know who Juraj Mikus is. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 6, 2005 2:37:27 GMT -5
I hope you're right but what makes you so confident? That's a really bold statement. I say that because I've seen him play. He's tremendously skilled as a 17 year old prospect. He might be a late bloomer, but there's many Europeans who can be labellled as such. He's also got tremendous moxy and heart which is not all too common in European players of his age. With good coaching he'll be able to write his own cheques in the NHL, he's that good. Think of an inspired Satan or Palffy who is not afraid to backcheck. He's that good. Mark my words, he will be dynamite. He's our best pick from this draft (and I absolutly LOVE the Latandresse steal at 45.) Mark my words, in 10 years, everybody will know who Juraj Mikus is. Lyle, great to hear. I tend to follow the prospects and potential draft picks a fair bit, and still have not had a chance to see him play. My hope is all based on reports from the U18 which was really promising and ISS who really had him moving up the charts. He sounds really promising and I hope to see what he can do at the WJC in Vancouver against the world's best. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Aug 6, 2005 19:49:59 GMT -5
Juraj Mikus will be the best player in the NHL in 5 years. Mark my words!!! Makes me glad we didn't draft Crosby or will Crosby be the second best?  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2005 21:13:41 GMT -5
Nice find. Hopefully he can blossom.
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Post by sasha on Aug 20, 2005 17:11:27 GMT -5
Worth noting is that Mikus had 8 points in his final 10 games with the Skalica senior squad, once he started to see full time action. That was the sort of (close to) point per game pace that players like Marian Hossa, Ziggy Palffy, Miroslav Satan, etc. managed during thier draft season in the Slovak senior league. The fact that Mikus went on to figure in 7 of the 11 goals that the Slovaks scored at the U18 tournament suggests he may be the real deal. I have great hopes for this kid.
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