Toronto Maple Leafs' prospect Miroslav Holinka was selected by the team in the 5th round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and, surprisingly, he's already heading to North America.
Holinka was selected by the Maple Leafs in the 5th round of the 2024 NHL Draft after spending the last 3 seasons within the pipeline of HC Ocelari Trinec in Czechia's top men's league. He scored 20 goals and 41 points in 29 games for the U20 club and added another goal and 2 assists in 16 games for the professional team in the Czech Extraliga this past season.
The 6'1, 190 pound centre was just recently selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings with the 14th pick in the CHL Import Draft, according to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. The expectation is that Holinka will move from his native Czechia to Edmonton to play for the Oil Kings in 2024-25.
According to Elite Prospects, Holinka is "a versatile and efficient player with smooth hands and who offers quality defensive work due to his size." He is also classified as a puck-handler and a two-way forward, is a right-handed shot, and was even ranked as high as 87th by Hockey Prospects and 31st by NHL Central Scouting for European skaters.
Perhaps a forgotten prospect due to playing in the Czech league as opposed to the KHL, SHL, or even the SM-Liiga in Finland, Holinka could be seen as a steal after being selected late in the 5th round. Only time will tell if he can translate his game to the WHL, but he scored 40 goals and 80 points in 80 games across 2 seasons for his U20 club as well as 17 goals and 36 points in 31 games for the U17 club in 2021-22.
