'It's a Huge Day' for Jan Jeník

Jan Jenik will make his NHL debut tonight when the Coyotes play the San Jose Sharks at 7:30 p.m. at SAP Center.
Jeník -- 20 years old and 6' 1", 181 pounds -- was selected in the third round of the 2018 draft, No. 65 overall.
"It's a huge day," said Jenik, whose parents will be watching at 4:30 a.m., from the Czech Republic. "One of the biggest games of my life. I'm really glad and thankful I can be here, and I'm really excited."

Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong says Jenik blends size with skill.
"I think he gives the organization a big, strong power forward who is extremely competitive," Armstrong said. "He plays with that grit on the inside, and that's something that we need. We want to see tonight how he translates his game to the NHL game."
Head coach Rick Tocchet has witnessed Jenik's development through two training camps and as well as through communication with the Tucson Roadrunners coaching staff.
Jeník made his pro debut this season in Tucson. He played 27 games, recording 11 points (4G, 7A) and 46 penalty minutes.

Roadrunners head coach Steve Potvin describes Jeník as an intriguing player with a strong willingness to learn.
"He brings an element that not every player brings," Potvin said. "He has a real desire to get to the net. He plays a physical brand and finishes most of his hits. He also can make that 'next' play. You combine that will and that compete level with a guy who can make the next play, as well as his size, he's an interesting player."
"He'll do anything to make the NHL," Tocchet said. "He's an abrasive kid. Playing him tonight and getting him reps is really important. He's obviously got to get bigger and stronger, like all kids. He has the will. He has the character. He has the attributes that, to me, you need right off the bat if you want to make the NHL. He has those. Now he's got to work on his game."

Jeník, who hails from Nymburk, a town of 15,000, suffered a season-ending injury at the 2020 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic.
"It was definitely a hard moment for me to basically try to get back on my feet," Jeník said. "But I like challenges, and that was a big challenge for me. I had a great group of people around me and they just helped me to get through it. I would say now, I'm only stronger."
Prior to his injury, Jeník totaled 56 points (22G, 34A) in 27 games in his final OHL season in 2019-20 with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was on pace to contend for the Ontario Hockey League scoring title.
He strung together a 26-game point streak that season, one game shy of tying John Tavares (TOR), Connor McDavid (EDM) and Alex DeBrincat (CHI) for the third-longest OHL point streak of the century.
Back to tonight: There will be emotions, and without a doubt, some jitters. Armstrong put himself in Jenik's skates for a moment when asked what he expected to see from the debut.
"That's a hard one, you never know," Armstrong said. "It's a pretty nerve-wracking experience. You hope that he just really settles in and concentrates on playing the same way that he did (at Tucson).
"We're excited to get to see him play in the National Hockey League."

Lead Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes // Second Photo Credit: Kate Dibildox - Tucson Roadrunners // Footer Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes