Giant hope. In size and prospects. Czech goalie Michael Hrabal is a little closer to the NHL after signing with Utah, but as he says: „I'm at the start of a marathon.“
Ever since the youth categories, it is somehow assumed that he should have the brightest future among the Czech young goalkeepers. He outperformed his peers, he played against older ones, he was regularly the number one in the national team. And even at university he confirmed his high qualities.
It's no wonder Arizona (now operating as Utah) drafted him at the start of the second round three years ago at the 38th overall pick. You wouldn't find any Czech goalie higher on the lists since 2007, and in the history of NHL teams, only Marek Schwarz (17th in 2004) and Michal Neuvirth (34th in 2006) have been pointed to before.
And last week, Utah secured the lanky 201 cm goalie with a rookie contract. „I'm happy to be able to do something like this. But it's just the beginning of the journey,“ Hrabal said.
idnes.cz/gnews.cz
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