With the road to Brazil 2014 underway, leagues across Europe were given a break to give their players a chance to play for their respective countries. The HNL will resume play on Friday September, 14 when Dinamo faces Osijek in Zagreb. This match was also rescheduled from its previous date on Saturday September, 15 due to their first Champions League match on Tuesday.
HNL and team officials used the break this week to address issues in their cubs such as fines, problems with supporters, and business solutions. Sammir was forced to pay his fine due to behavioral issues, and fines were issued to RNK Split coach Toni Basić and NK Istra 1961 coach Igor Pamić regarding their argument on the field during their previous meeting. Split forward Henri Belle was issued a large fine for refusing to shake hands with opposing players prior to the match, which was the reason named for the on-field argument. NK Osijek have gone public, releasing 5.9 million kuna divided into 59,315 shares of stock.
The Austrian hockey league (EBEL) has begun this week, featuring Croatia’s top hockey club KHL Medveščak Zagreb. The Bears have played two games and won the first game against Hungarian side, SAPA Fehervar AV 19, with a score of 4-2, with goals from Croatian-Americans Andy Sertich and Nathan Perkovich and Canadians Alex Leavitt and Curtis Fraser. They lost the second to Red Bull Salzberg 2-1 in a shootout with Croatian-Canadian Tom Zanoški scoring their lone goal.
Medveščak play two home games next week on September 14 and 16 at the Pula Arena against Ljubljana and Vienna. The ancient Roman arena is currently being fitted with stands and an ice rink that will be ready for action next week.
I am a Croatian Canadian that played Junior hockey and have a brother that played Major Junior Hockey and played Pro Hockey in Europe and one of his seasons was with Medvescak.
In General the coaching system in Croatia is great and from the past Medvescak had a “junior” Medvescak team however as a fellow Croatian wishing for Croatian to continue striving in sports I would play in the OHL. It is still the best junior league in the WORLD. It is the fastest way to the NHL and will give you the most clout in playing in other pro-leagues.
Most of the Canadian/American guys on Medvescak are older than prospects. They are usually guys who have played a handful of seasons in the AHL and ECHL.
The only real young Canadian to join the team was Sasha Pokulok who was a former 1st round pick but he left the team this summer to return to North America
I can’t say for sure because I have never been n the path in hockey to become professional, but I think we can all agree that there is no better place to develop than in Canada. And there’s no better way to do it than to play Juniors. I don’t even think medvecak have a “youth system” like teams do in soccer, but definitely better off in Canada now.
Im currently a prospect of the London Knights, representing there youth team, but expected to play fully next year when i become of age. How would you say the hockey development is in canada compared to croatia? would it be better for me to continue in the OHL or the Medvescak youth system?
@Andrej – Connections to Zanoski? Can you get me in contact for an interview?
@hrvat#1
I think its okay hockey actually, my roommate is really good friends with Tomi Zanoški who is their best player I believe. I know he is in his late 20s. I’m sure you’ll find the rest online.
Definitely on the right track if you’re playing juniors in Canada. Who do you play for? I used to play with a couple players down here that played for Windsor.
@Ante – This guy know’s whats up. ZIG ZAG
@Hrvat – Most of the guys are in their mid to late 20’s with a few guys in their 30’s. I wanna say the youngest player is 21 or 22? It’s a full professional league and is definitely a few steps above OHL. A bunch of the players on the team are canadian, so I’m SURE a lot of them have played in the OHL. Also, a lot of these guys are former NHLers or at least former draft picks from the NHL, so it’s not the OHL, it’s a legit professional league. Not as high paced as the NHL, but it’s the real thing over there.
I am a canadian born croatian, playing semi pro hockey in canada, and expected to make the OHL as a 16 year old next year. playing for medvescak has always been a dream of mine, do any of you know the age majority of players there? or how the hockey is compared to the canadian OHL?
ZIG ZAG