Recognizing that goaltending was arguably their biggest question mark going into training camp, the Sudbury Wolves decided to utilize their one and only CHL Import Draft pick to select Jakub Vondras from Czechia earlier today.
Though 18 year old netminder
In attempting to secure the services of the 19 year-old European puckstopped who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2022 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, the Wolves are hoping to add a greater degree of certainty to the mix.
This past season, Vondras suited up with HC Plzen in the U20 league, posting a goals against average of 2.19, save percentage of .929 and a record of 18-10 over the course of 29 regular season games.
"Jakub has NHL pedigree being drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes last year," noted Wolves VP & General Manager Rob Papineau in a team issued release. "He will be attending his second NHL camp this year and we are excited to bring Jakub to Sudbury."
"He is a very sound, quick, athletic goaltender and he is enthusiastic about joining the Wolves organization.”
While nothing is cast in stone until import picks actually step on the ice for OHL action, all points towards Vondras being in Sudbury at the end of August. "Sudbury is a great step for my hockey career,” he said in the same release.
“I believe together we will have a long season, as long as possible. This is great because I have big goals and I believe we can reach it together.”
The 6'4" goalie is said to have a high compete level and is resilient, never giving up on any pucks, showcasing impressive post-to-post movement.
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Vondras was a member of the 2021-22 Czechia U20 champion team, where he shone in post season play with sparkling stats that included a 1.91 goals against average and .935 save percentage.
