In a year of promising young blueliners for the Reign, one who often goes overlooked is Jakub Dvorak.

Last year, after playing half a season in the Czech Extraliga, Jakub Dvorak made the move to the Western Hockey League, where he posted two goals and eight points in 21 games played.

Los Angeles player development staffer Sean O’Donnell stated that Dvorak “adapted very well and played well” in the WHL last season.

Despite this, it was reported by Kings insider Zach Dooley that Dvorak was not happy with his playing time in Czechia and was not too impressed with the WHL. Reading the tea leaves, it seemed like Dvorak wanted to be in Ontario, more so than others. 

Ultimately, Dvorak did enough in training camp to get the call to the AHL, and would spend the season in Ontario as a 19-year-old. 

The 6’5, 210 pound defenseman has had one of the more interesting seasons this year. With guys like Angus Booth and Jack Millar exceeding expectations, it is easy to forget about Jakub Dvorak.

Perhaps for good reason, as he’s had a relatively unremarkable season. Early in the campaign, Dvorak’s ability to skate east to west was subpar, allowing faster players in the AHL to beat him on the edges.

Much of this seemed to have been resolved by the time the World Junior Championship began, where Dvorak would have a great tournament. 

On the world stage, Dvorak showed what kind of player he can eventually be, a defenseman with substantial positioning skills and the ability to use his size effectively. 

Additionally, Dvorak exhibited an appetite for scoring, netting the game winning goal against Kazakhstan. 

When the young Czech returned to Ontario, he took a step forward in his professional career. “His first two games after he came back he for sure took a step, right, and then, two games where he was a little bit lower” said Reign assistant coach Chris Haijt.

It has been that kind of season for Dvorak. He has struggled to consistently make good plays on the backend of the ice. 

Development-wise, when asked about the things the Reign are working on with him, Haijt stated, “He’s a young kid, right? He’s playing against men. So how do you defend positioning, your stick positioning. How do you take a guy out to separate a man from the puck. All those things and how important they are, and then doing them consistently.”

With the Ontario Reign having a surplus of veterans, and their ability to win on a nightly basis, it is easy to forget that Dvorak is only 19-years-old and still working out the kinks in his game.

Furthermore, with players like Booth and Millar playing exceptionally well as stay at home defensemen, Dvorak’s mistakes are often magnified.

As mentioned earlier, his east to west skating still needs work. Dvorak is still out of position too often, leaving him vulnerable to be beaten on the outside.

In addition, he is on the slower side of the spectrum. Increased foot speed would do wonders for Dvorak's game.

Only time will tell how good of a player Dvorak will be. Again, he is only 19-years-old, so he has more than enough time to turn into the player the Kings want him to become. However, in order to make the leap to the NHL, he must progress on a near nightly basis in the AHL, starting as early as next season.