To get an interview with New York Rangers prospect Adam Sýkora after Team Slovakia’s practice on Friday at the World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden was a difficult task.
Expecting to talk with Sýkora in the minutes after practice, the young forward stayed on the ice for nearly an extra 30 minutes.
He was seen playfully joking around with some of his other teammates who stayed on the ice. Sýkora was also working on his craft at full speed like he was in an actual game.
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Why did Sýkora feel the need to stay on the ice for so much longer in a practice that in the grand scheme of things won’t amount to all that much?
That’s just the kind of person Sýkora is. He has the first guy on last guy off mentality.
“I know after practice there’s some time to improve myself, like shooting or skating. I can always do better” Sýkora said. “Every time I use the time to get better. If you want to get better, you have to stay longer and just improve yourself.”
There’s the hard-working side of Sýkora and the fun side that everyone in the Rangers organization has gotten to know and love.
Through his two years playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, Sýkora has become a fan favorite while his energetic personality is well known to many.
“I think I try to bring a little fun, a little joy, just peace on the bench,” said Sýkora. “If somebody scores, I’m the first guy rooting for him. Its positivity and energy is what I can bring to the bench or the locker room. Just try to put the team together and bring some fun.”
The Rangers selected Sýkora in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s spent the past two seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The 20-year-old is coming off a season where he recorded nine goals, 21 assists, and 30 points in 29 games.
Sýkora could feel himself steadily improving and making strides in his overall development.
“I think I'm getting better every year,” Sýkora said. “Just getting more chances everywhere. I think I’m improving a lot.”
Where exactly does Sýkora stand with the Rangers and when might we see him playing in the NHL?
The Rangers don’t have a ton of space to slot in younger players, but Sýkora may be exactly what this Blueshirts team needs right now.
The Slovakian native is not a finesse kind of player or top-notch goal scorer. However, Sýkora knows how to play his role exceptionally well.
He displays a hard-nosed, in-your-face, physical game as Sýkora is always hustling out on the ice. This is the exact kind of presence he is looking to bring to the Rangers if he’s given the opportunity.
“I could be a third or fourth line guy,” Sýkora said about what role he envisions himself playing for the Rangers. “I try to be good defensively and battle hard. That’s kind of my role. I really like defending and helping my team win games. I think this will be my role with the team (Rangers) if I want to be there.”
Keep a close eye out for Sýkora at the Rangers’ training camp this upcoming season because he’s going to come in hungry and determined.