Loading The Cannon: Stanislav Svozil

The young CBJ defensive prospect had a great year in junior, and made his NHL debut this past season.

Stanislav Svozil is a 6’0’’ 183lb Czech defenseman, he’s 20 years old, and he’s been good.

This past season he played for the Regina Pats of the WHL. You’ve probably heard a lot lately about the Regina Pats, why? Because that’s also where presumed #1 pick Connor Bedard also played.

Svozil had an unreal season for Regina. In total, he played in 56 games and had 78 points, scoring 11 goals, and passing his way to 67 assists. He was the highest scoring defenseman on the Pats by far. The closest teammate on defense was Tanner Brown with 51 points.

Regina only played in seven WHL playoff games, being beaten in the first round, but Svozil had 13 points in 7 games. His teammate Connor Bedard had 20 points in 7 games.

Svozils journey to the NHL started in 2019, when as a 16-year-old, he played for Brno Kometa of Czech Extraliga. He played 2 seasons for Brno, playing in 71 games and tallying 13 points. Playing two seasons, against adults, is a valuable experience. He also won Rookie of the Year.

Stanislav was selected 15^th overall in the CHL import draft in 2020. In August of 2021 he signed a standard WHL player agreement. Just prior to that, he was drafted in the 3^rd round, #69 overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A steal in the eyes of Columbus, as some rankings had him as a borderline 1^st round talent.

He made his WHL debut in 2021 for Regina. He played in 59 games and had 10-31-41. Again, a team led by Connor Bedard, who had 100 points. He has tremendous upside defensively, seems to have excellent vision. He has a decent reach to cut down on passing lanes and can dig a puck of the boards while battling with the opposing player. Scouts have said that he could easily become a top four defenseman in the NHL, with good technical skills. One knock on him is his skating. But that seems to be better now, compared to when his scouting reports first came out.

Offensively, he seems to have everything he needs to be an offensive threat, after two seasons in junior, he has 21 goals. In Extraliga, he didn’t really have that, scoring 3 goals in two seasons. He does need to get a little stronger, scouts have noted his lack of power with his wristers and slap shots. His shot is dangerous, but he does play a little safe.

Stanislav Svozil sign his ELC on August 13^th, 2021. His ELC qualified for the Entry-Level Slide the first two seasons of his ELC. After finishing his season in Regina a few months ago, he got the call. He was going to be making his NHL debut. I can’t imagine how excited he was.

He made his NHL debut on April 13^th, 2023, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Svozil had a robust 19:13 TOI, second in defenseman only to Adam Boqvist 22:23. He had 1 assist and generated 1 shot on net. He also played 2:53 on the powerplay. And with all that, he had to defend Sidney Crosby. Not a bad night for the young Czech.

The following night saw young Svozil play again, this time, in the last game of the CBJ season. He had 21:01 TOI, played 0:29 on the power play, and was a -3. Not a bad week for the young man.

Svozil is projected to spend most of this next season in Cleveland, playing for the AHL Monsters. With GM Jarmo Kekalainen making moves to solidify the defense, two things are clear, one, they want the CBJ defense to be much better, with veteran players, and two, they want the young kids playing in the minors. Both of which are ideal.

I’m very excited to watch Svozil play more games, whether it be in Cleveland or Columbus. The Cleveland Monsters could be really good this year, and it should be worth the 144-mile drive from Columbus to Cleveland. I highly suggest checking out the Monsters if you can, and Stanislav Svozil.