FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Radko Gudas already has four kids at home.
What’s one more?
Taking his mentorship role to the next level, the Florida Panthers veteran defenseman spent roughly two weeks prior to training camp serving as host to rookie blueliner Marek Alscher.
“It was a treat,” Gudas said. “He’s a great man, and even better hockey player.”
Alscher said the arrangement came together over the summer.
While spending some time together in their native Czechia, Alscher, who made his NHL debut and skated in four games with the Panthers last season, told Gudas he was planning to head to Florida a bit early in order to prepare for the upcoming season.
Right away, Gudas insisted he stay with him.
“I was really grateful for that,” said Alscher, who turned 22 in April. “To stay with someone you know from Czechia, it feels like home a little bit. It’s always better than a hotel room.”
A welcome guest, Alscher proved to be the ultimate playmate for Gudas’ children.
“He loves the kids,” Gudas said. “Every day it was, ‘Are we going in the pool? Are we doing this? Are we doing that?’ He was all for it. I was very happy he was like that. I think it’s important for the older guys to show some of the younger guys life outside of the arena.”
To show his gratitude, Alscher showed off his skills in the kitchen.
“He was a really good cook,” Gudas smiled. “He did really good steaks. Good pork tenderloin, too. He was on fire. I’ve got to step up my game. We’ve got a good challenge.”
Preparing for his 15th season in the NHL – and fourth non-sequential season with the Panthers – Gudas knows the impact a veteran can have on a young and hopeful player.
Reflecting on his early days with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gudas, who turned 36 in June, still remembers all the things he learned from defensemen like Matt Carle and Eric Brewer.
“It’s important to have – I don’t want to say role model – but an older guy that’s been around a bit and has been through a few things, ups and downs,” said Gudas, who inked a six-year contract to return to the Panthers as a free agent on July 3. “I still look up to them (my former teammates). Sometimes, I’ll still think about how they handled themselves.”
One day, maybe Alscher will look back on Gudas the same way.
Still in the early goings of a promising career, the 2022 third-round pick (93rd overall) is looking to build off a solid sophomore season in the professional ranks.
In 52 games in the AHL last season, the Kladno, Czechia native set new career-highs in goals (3), points (11) and plus/minus rating (+17). During his four-game stint with Florida, he logged three assists while averaging 20:22 of ice time per contest.
Following the NHL season, he competed for Czechia at the IIHF World Championship.
“I kind of realized after what happened,” Alscher said of his end-of-season whirlwind. “Everything was so quick, so you just had to roll with it. It just gave me so much confidence to kind of prove to yourself that you can play there (in the NHL). It’s different to play four games than to become a full NHL-er and make the team and play the whole season, but it gives you confidence and motivation for the next season.”
With another season of development on the horizon, that confidence will be key.
Through the first three days of training camp at Baptist Health IcePlex, Alscher has been paired with steady veteran Tobias Bjornfot on the blue line, hinting that he could be in line for big minutes with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL in 2026-27.
“I thought he had a fantastic run with us here at the end of the year last year, and then continued it on.” head coach Paul Maurice said. “We’re excited for him as well.”
