Six OHLers Named to Slovakia's Preliminary World Juniors Roster

Dalibor Dvorsky, Filip Mesar, Martin Misiak, Jakub Chromiak, Servac Petrovsky, & Roman Kukumberg have been named to Slovakia's Preliminary World Juniors Roster.

Six current OHL players may have the opportunity to represent Slovakia on the international level at the 2024 World Juniors in less than a month.

Slovakia is going to have a team full of NHL-affiliated prospects, and their preliminary roster has the potential to compete for a medal this year. 

Representing the OHL on the Preliminary Roster is Dalibor Dvorsky (SBY), Filip Mesar (KIT), Martin Misiak (ER), Jakub Chromiak (KGN), Servac Petrovsky (OS), and Roman Kukumberg (SAR). 

Specifically highlighting Mesar and Dvorsky, the two NHL first round picks have been dominating in the Ontario Hockey League this season.

Filip Mesar — Montreal Canadiens' first round pick in 2022 — has recently been named Player of the Month of November in the OHL. He has accumulated 26 points in 15 games since being sent down from the AHL in October. 

Mesar has been a vital part of this Kitchener Rangers team, who seem to be winning on every occasion. Mesar's pure skill and variety of offensive tools has allowed him to produce at this rate.

Dalibor Dvorsky — St. Louis Blues' 10th overall pick in 2023 — has not skipped a beat since joining the Sudbury Wolves this season. He began the season playing in the SHL, but then decided to join the OHL due to receiving limited ice time. 

Dvorsky's two-way ability and shot release has complimented the likes of Sudbury's top talents — David Goyette and Quentin Musty. Dvorsky has taken this team's offence to a whole new level, and he has quickly become one of the OHL's top centremen. 

Owen Sound centreman Servac Petrovsky joins team Slovakia as an experienced veteran. The 19-year-old has represented Slovakia at the World Juniors for the past two tournaments. 

Petrovsky — Minnesota Wild prospect — is a complete centreman who has the ability to take more of a supporting role and compliment high-end talent. He will look to lead this team to a medal in his last World Junior tournament.

The first overall pick by the Otters in the CHL Import Draft has had an electric start to the OHL season. Martin Misiak will be looking to make this team for the second time, but playing a bigger role. He only got into three games in last year's World Juniors, but the speedy, electric forward will be looking to make a statement this year. 

Misiak plays with loads of energy offensively, and he can beat opponent's with his speed and shiftiness. He possesses a dangerous shot and has found loads of success in a big role in Erie. 

Jakub Chromiak and Roman Kukumberg will look to make team Slovakia for the first time in their junior careers. 

Chromiak is a 2024 NHL Draft eligible defender who was recently traded to Kingston from Sudbury. If he were to make this team, he would be one of the youngest players on the roster. 

Kukumberg went undrafted in the 2023 NHL Draft, but Sarnia has given him the opportunity to showcase his talents on a wider stage. Making this World Juniors team would give him even more opportunity to showcase his talents as a potential overage pick in the 2024 draft. 

The 6-foot-1 winger is a quick skater for his size, and he plays a high tempo game with loads of energy. 

These six players have just made the preliminary roster, but it is safe to say that Slovakia will have some OHL-representation at the 2024 World Juniors.