Regina Pats defenceman Stanislav Svozil has plenty of reasons to celebrate right now.
The 2021 third-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets has picked up 42 points (5G-37A) so far this season with the Pats. He was the captain for Czechia at the recent World Juniors earning a silver medal which ended an 18-year drought for his country at the tournament. To top it off, he is celebrating his 20th birthday on Tuesday.
Before departing for the World Juniors, Svozil had a ten-point streak with the Pats. During that span, the defenceman had registered 21 points (3G-18A) and a +10 rating. In his two games back with Regina, the Blue Jacket prospect has collected five assists.
Even with the current success with the Pats, it’s hard to compare it to the achievement of winning a silver medal in Halifax. Svozil finished third overall on his team in points with eight points. (1G-7A). The success they achieved during the tournament was a pleasant surprise.
“We didn’t expect before that tournament we’ll play final.”
According to the Pats defenceman, their victory over Canada on Boxing Day was a big confidence booster. The decision over the Canadians allowed Czechia to finish in first place following the round-robin.
Svozil said the silver medal was important to Czechia especially the recent drought at the World Juniors.
“First medal after 18 years, so that was huge.”
Over the last month, the Czechia defenceman has experienced playing with Connor Bedard and competed against the Pats captain at the World Juniors. Following the tournament in Halifax, Svozil appreciates having Bedard as a teammate.
“Better playing with him than against him.”
Even with the difficult task of going up against the likely number one pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Svozil pointed out that he and his teammates at the World Juniors were able to achieve some measure of success against Bedard but not the final result they were looking for.
“That first game he scored a goal and he (Bedard) scored a goal but they lost and then we ended his point streak in the final, but they won.”
Svozil says he is happy to be back on the same side as Bedard, especially when he recounted his success at the World Juniors.
“18 points in three games, that’s terrible (laughing), that’s disgusting, I’m sorry that’s disgusting, 18 points in three games, I’d never seen that before probably.”
From the 20-year-old’s perspective, the gold medal final and the rematch against Canada were electric.
“That final was amazing and the people were so loud.”
During the tournament, Svozil was in communication about the World Juniors with his teammate with the Pats when the pair were in Halifax. Since they returned to the Queen City, he says the focus has entirely shifted to the Pats and their push for a playoff spot in the final months of the WHL regular season.
Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock says that having Svozil and Bedard back in Regina’s lineup helps establish the roles for the entire team.
“It slots things down and sort of puts things in order.”
The defenceman hopes his game can still improve as the Pats enter a crucial part of their schedule.
“That tournament helped so I want to play my game here.”
If Svozil and Bedard continue their success following the World Juniors, it should be good news for the Regina Pats.
