Why Jan Mysak was a steal at 48th overall

MONTREAL -- For many young hockey players, making the jump to the Canadian Hockey League represents the single biggest change in their lives to that point.

Not only is it the next big step before hopefully graduating to the NHL, but it also involves a new team, a new coach, new tactics, and often, a new city.
Now, picture the added challenges when the player in question doesn't necessarily come from another city or province, but rather, another continent.
For many imports, such as Jan Mysak, the 48th overall selection in the 2020 Draft, you must consider the added level of difficulty involved in the move.

Mysak has already dealt with the aforementioned changes in his hockey life, including a move across the pond to play Junior hockey with the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he's had to process a new country, a new language, a new culture, new foods, and an endless flow of new faces that constantly bombarded him with crucial information and advice.
For some, that situation could be overwhelming, but Mysak has faced the challenge head-on, going above and beyond in his quest to improve his hockey skills at every possible opportunity.
"He's unique," said Bulldogs president and general manager, Steve Staios. "He's an intelligent young man who has a great, positive attitude towards life.
"The first thing that stands out with Jan is how professional he was when we first got him. He came over with an amazing focus and was really diligent in not only his on-ice preparation but off-ice as well, which is really impressive. He was really trying to find out exactly what the coaches wanted from him, especially away from the puck."
Staios explains that in most cases, young players are concerned with goals and points, which makes sense. That's the best way to get noticed, especially in a draft year.
But despite Mysak's innate offensive instinct, his priorities were a little different than most, even if he joined the Bulldogs at the tender age of just 17 years old.
He wanted to learn and he wanted to do it quickly, but not for personal gain.
His immediate and focused line of questioning to the coaching staff was further evidence of his team-first approach.
"What's our system?"
"Where do I have to be away from the puck?"
"How can I help us win?"
"He seamlessly fit in, because of his infectious personality in and around the room," explains Staios."He's one of those players who's genuinely happy for his teammates when they do well. He's genuinely happy for the team when we win. He's a selfless young man."
And though his strength of character is surely a significant part of why Mysak was chosen by the Canadiens, it's far from the only reason.

With 15 goals and 10 assists in just 22 games for the Bulldogs, Mysak established himself as not just an offensive threat, but an incredibly talented player that impacts the game in every zone.
"His game sense," said Staios. "His hockey IQ, how well-rounded of a player he is at this age is very exciting. And that goes along with an elite skill set. He's got great, deceptive speed. Has a terrific release. And if you ask Jan why were you so interested in coming to Hamilton, he said he wanted to learn how to play in the smaller areas."

Though he's far from the first player to arrive from Europe with the goal of quickly acclimatizing himself to the North American game, it certainly adds another element to Mysak's already impressive character: an innate desire to improve.
The Bulldogs make special arrangements for import players to help make their transition as comfortable as possible, but Mysak quickly pointed to a problem with his billet situation.
The family, as most billet families are in the Canadian Hockey League, was excellent. But the ride-sharing situation proved problematic, as he'd arrive at the rink just one hour before practice was set to start.
That's more than enough time for most players, but Mysak is not most players.
"A week into it, Jan called me and asked if there was any way he could get a ride to the rink earlier," said Staios.
The extra time allowed Mysak to go through his pre-practice process, yet another sign that he's not just taking his time in North America seriously, but rather, he wants to be the best possible version of himself, both on and off the ice.

Mysak excelled in Hamilton, and he's expected to return to the team once the upcoming season is announced, though his move to the Steel City wasn't the first time he had visited North America.
In fact, Mysak had previously visited his eventual NHL home with a former Canadiens defenseman, one who knows all too well about the challenges involved in joining a new league at a very young age.
Petr Svoboda is the youngest Canadiens defenseman to ever make the jump to the NHL, having done so as an 18-year old in 1984. And though that was 18 years before Mysak was born, Svoboda, who played for the same Czech youth team as Mysak, happened to play tennis with Mysak's father.

Svodoba brought Mysak to Montreal, not for a hockey tournament, but rather, to give him a tour of the city that launched an NHL career that spanned over 1,000 regular-season games.
"He showed me the city," said Mysak, with his trademark smile that spans from ear to ear. "And of course he told me about the rink, about everything in Montreal."
Little did they know the story would eventually come full circle when Mysak was chosen by the Canadiens.
But despite the assist from Svoboda, Mysak's dream of eventually playing in the NHL wouldn't have been possible without his commitment to uprooting his life, leaving the only city he'd ever resided in for the great unknown.
"When I played against Canada in the World Juniors, they beat us 7-2," said Mysak, "I saw the players playing in the OHL, WHL and QMJHL, and I thought it would be a good step for me. Because my dream is to play in the NHL. It was a good step and a good decision."
And though his time in North America was cut short, Staios believes Mysak's short tenure in Hamilton played directly into the Canadiens' hands.
"I don't think a lot of people got to see enough of him in Hamilton," said Staios. "And if I'm being honest, I think that worked to the benefit of the Montreal Canadiens, getting them where they did.
"He had just hit his stride. He was ready to explode onto the scene at that point."

An elite skillset, a humble approach, and an unquenchable thirst for self-improvement is certainly one way to describe the Canadiens' second-round pick, but there's another: affable.
Just as his talent immediately stands out on the ice, his energetic personality immediately stands out when he discusses his love for the game and his excitement when he heard his name called by the Montreal Canadiens.
There's a lot to like about Jan Mysak, and it goes well beyond his dominant play on the ice.
Photo credit: Brandon Taylor/ProAm Images