"My father too," clarified Pytlik, referring to his father, also named Jaromir, who is a junior coach back home in the Czech Republic. Elias served as an assistant coach with the Czech Republic the past two World Junior Championships, the latest of which Pytlik suited up for his country at home last holiday season.
In Pytlik, the Devils have got a big-bodied forward (6'3", 200 pounds) who can play both center and the wing for his junior club, the Soo Greyhounds. His dogged work rate makes him effective on both sides of the puck.
"He is going to have an opportunity to become one of the top two-way power forwards in our league," said 'Hounds GM Kyle Raftis, "He's going to be 19 (in) his third OHL season that's usually when (that type of maturation) develops."
Raftis has been more than happy with Pytlik's contribution so far. He came to the Soo half-way through the 2018-19 season a few months after turning 17, in search of more playing time after spot duty with a pro club in the Czech Republic. Though the path to go to Canada to play major junior is a well-worn one for many Czech players, the adjustment isn't always automatic.
Two years ago, the Greyhounds were coming off an appearance in the OHL Final and had many elite holdovers, including Barrett Hayton (Arizona Coyotes) and Morgan Frost (Philadelphia Flyers) who are both now full-time NHLers.
"We had him playing with (Hayton and Frost), and that helped with him getting used to the (North American) game."
Since crossing the Atlantic, he has a neat-and-tidy 33 goals and 38 assists in 82 games, scoring at a slightly higher pace last season than in his first in 2018-19.
Beyond the numbers, the book on Pytlik suggests two things, firstly that he needs to refine his skating and his puck skills to be a good pro; secondly, that he likely projects as a winger when he gets there.
Naturally, as the GM Raftis understood the assessment but didn't want to unduly tamp down his player's accomplishments.
"I think when he played center he( held back) a bit," explained Raftis, adding that when on the wing Pytlik had less to worry about and could simply let loose more often. Raftis pointed out another variable - Pytlik's size and now he could continue to leverage his frame to dominate physically.
"I think he still has some size to add," said Raftis.
As a late-birthday 2001, Pytlik has one more season of junior eligibility left. Right now, he is keeping sharp back home in the Czech Republic with the help of his father and is waiting to return to North America, where he will first likely go to the Edmonton bubble to play with the Czech Republic over Christmas in this year's World Junior.
In keeping with the crazy quilt of international competition typical for age-group European prospects, Pytlik has already played about a full season equivalent for the Czech national team at varying U17, U18, U19, and U20 levels. In that span of 70 games, he has 45 points (20G, 25A).
Draft rankings in this pandemic season were difficult to gauge, especially beyond the first round. Getting Pytlik in the fourth round with the 99th selection was below where he was expected to be drafted when the season was canceled. Two independent scouting services - Red Line Report and Hockey Prospect - had him slightly higher, while TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie ranked Pytlik 74th.
