In his development this past season, Blues prospect Juraj Pekarcik leaned on a couple of unlikely sources of growth: movies and Duolingo.
The two items aided in his learning and understanding of the English language while playing in the USHL with Dubuque last season — of course, in concert with conversations with his teammates and billet family. It was part of a season of change for the Slovakian-born winger, who was originally a third-round pick in 2023 by the Blues.
“It was really different for me from the beginning,†Pekarcik said during development camp earlier this month. “Different language, different people, different country. It was really hard for me from the beginning, but I was doing a really good job and the season was great for us, our team.â€
Pekarcik’s English is much improved from a year ago when he was initially drafted, and while playing for Dubuque last season, he began his transition to the North American style of hockey on the smaller ice surface.
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He was second in the USHL with 50 assists and helped the Fighting Saints reach the Clark Cup Final, where they lost to Fargo.
“They had a good team, and he took strides,†Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. “Coming over from Europe and the bigger ice surface to the smaller ice surface, you have to make plays a little quicker and get that style of north-south. He adapted to that pretty good. He’s got a big body that pushes guys off (the puck). He plays a heavy game.â€
The Blues signed Pekarcik to a three-year entry-level contract earlier this summer, making him ineligible to return to the USHL. Taylor said Pekarcik would be playing in the CHL this upcoming season, but “we just can’t tell you which team it’s going to be.â€
Currently, Acadie-Bathurst in the QMJHL owns Pekarcik’s rights after taking him second in the import draft last year.
Pekarcik is a rung below the top Blues prospects up front — Dalibor Dvorsky, Jimmy Snuggerud and Otto Stenberg are in the same age range as Pekarcik — but provides a different element than those players. He’s a pass-first rangy winger who “pushes and goes over guys,†Taylor said.
“He learned to do that and hang on to pucks more at Dubuque,†Taylor said.
Last season with Dubuque and this upcoming season in junior hockey will also allow Pekarcik to play more games against players the same age as him, a similar path Dvorksy took from playing professionally in Sweden to playing last season for Sudbury in the OHL.
“I think (I) most (improved) in hockey sense and D-zone, understanding the D-zone,†Pekarcik said. “That was, for me, important from the beginning of the season. I think I improved the most this season.â€
Pekarcik also played for Slovakia at the World Junior Championship, where he was on a line with Dvorsky.
“It was a really good experience for me also because I play with Dalibor on the same team,†Pekarcik said. “That was important for me and we are really good friends. All Team Slovakia, we are really good friends, so it was for me really good to meet all these guys after a half-year. I think I play really good at World Juniors.â€
Pekarcik may not be the Blues’ only European teenager playing in the CHL this upcoming season, as Czech forward Jakub Stancl could be making his way to North America as well, according to Taylor. Taylor said “we’re hoping that he can come over and play in the CHL,†and Kelowna in the WHL owns Stancl’s rights.
Last season, Stancl spent the majority of the year playing junior hockey for Vaxjo in Sweden, though he did appear in seven games in the SHL. Since the 2021-22 season, Stancl has played in Sweden.
Stancl was not on the ice during development camp due to an injury, but Taylor said he was set to begin therapy in July.
“He should be ready for the start of the season,†Taylor said. “As you see him walking around, another big guy that can skate. He was one of those guys that played really well at the World Juniors. Looking forward to seeing what he can bring this year, his added strength this year, and if his development from last year carrying over.â€