Kmec exceeding expectations since Day 1 with Cougars

Following the Cougars game on Tuesday, Kmec will then fly to Edmonton to join the other 30 players named to the Slovakian camp roster in hopes of cracking the opening day roster for the tournament.

“I’m really excited that the coach picked me for the roster. I hope that I will play and I will do everything to do my best,” said Kmec, who is still learning the English language since coming to Canada just three months ago.

Since making the jump across the pond, the Slovakian teen believes he’s fitting in well and admits he may even lie the North American style of the game better.

“The transition was pretty good. I like it here. I think I like it here more than in Europe,” he admitted, speaking on the style of hockey played here in North America. “I like the small rink, I like playing on small rinks.”

The 17-year-old has made a big impact on the team, currently tied for second in plus/minus and third in assists.

“It’s been from Day 1 in training camp,” stated Lamb. “You have a judgement on training camp, and then when the regular season comes you have a judgement on the regular season. And then about 20 games into it, right where we are now, you have another judgement. Every one of those hurdles, he’s passed with flying colours and he just keeps improving. He’s going to be a real big part of our young hockey club.”

Kmec will be quarantined for two days upon arriving in Edmonton before Slovakia’s camp gets underway on Dec. 18.

According to the Cougars, it’s also been learned that Swiss forward Liekit Reichle is on the reserve list for Team Switzerland. In the event that the team suffers an injury or experiences a positive case of COVID-19 prior to the tournament getting underway, the 23rd overall pick from the 2021 CHL Import Draft will be among the first to be brought ahead of the World Juniors.

by Ethan Ready

Kmec exceeding expectations since Day 1 with Cougars

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