How would forward Filip Chytil sum up last season, his first in North America with the Rangers, the team that drafted him 21st overall 12 months ago?
"It was the best season of my life," Chytil said with a laugh.
The 18-year-old did just about everything this past year, starting with last year's draft and leading to his NHL debut after making the Blueshirts out of training camp, something that took even Chytil by surprise.
Season in Review: Filip Chytil
By
Matt Calamia @MattCalamia / NYRangers.com
"It was unexpected to start the season with the Rangers," Chytil said from Austria, where he's begun training ahead of the Rangers' development camp later this month. "When I got to main camp, I didn't expect I'd even stay the whole year in North America. I was injured before camp and missed the Traverse City tournament. But I played in the preseason and scored a goal and gained confidence from that.
"Those first couple games were a dream come true," Chytil added. "It was a great experience."
Chytil, though, was assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League after two games in New York. The center reflected positively on his stint in Connecticut thanks in large part to the warm welcome he received from the Wolf Pack players and staff, who helped him adjust to his new environment.
"It was great. The guys and coaches and the whole staff, everybody helped me because it was my first season in North America," he said. "I'm glad they helped me. It was a tough year without my family and friends from the Czech Republic."
Chytil fit right in on and off the ice with the Wolf Pack, scoring 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 46 games, all while becoming the youngest player to suit up for an AHL game since 1974.
The adjustment to the smaller rink in North America could be a hurdle for some Europeans who are used to a lager, Olympic-sized ice surface. But Chytil was right at home, and even said he prefers that over the rinks he grew up playing on.
"I like it more than the bigger rink because everything is faster and I can shoot from every position on the ice in the offensive zone," he said. "The hockey is faster. I like it more than on the bigger rink."
With the smaller rink comes less time to make plays, as well as a more physical brand of hockey than most Europeans are used to. Chytil said that was something he had to adjust to in terms of his body, but feels he fared well, especially towards the end of the year.
"I think I added more muscle," he said. "I was bigger at the end of the year than at the start. The experience in North America gave me more confidence, and because of that, I think I played better at the end than the start."
Chytil joined several other prospects, including fellow first-round pick Lias Andersson, in New York for the end of the season. The center played the final seven games of the year in New York, scoring a goal and adding two assists.
From there, Chytil headed to Denmark to join his fellow countrymen at the World Championships, where he made history with a goal to become the youngest player in his country's history to score at the event.
Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton said a value cannot be put on the experience Chytil gained throughout the tournament.
"The experience they're gaining by watching NHL star players, how they conduct themselves every day, is invaluable."
With the Rangers shifting towards a younger group of players, Chytil knows a spot for him is there if he can earn it.
"I think it's a great chance for us [young players]," he said. "We got to play at the end of the season, I think we played well. It's great for us. I think everyone knows we have to work hard. I want to play the whole year in the NHL."
To do so, Chytil knows he has to put the work in this offseason to call the Big Apple his home all next season.
"I'd like to start the season there," he said. "I feel I can play against the best players in the league and play with the best players with the Rangers. I played well [last season], but I want to improve. I want to be better in everything and improve in each area of my game and be better and be ready to play in the NHL."