Pienenä off-topicina ja huomiona tästä sen verran, että tuo HF:n juttu on muuten kopioitu lähes identtisenä HF:n sivuille Hockey Newssin Guy Flamingin jutusta numerosta 58/04 (ilm.26.10.04);
"Slovenia in not regarded as an elite hockey nation, but one of the best forwards eligible for the 2005 NHL draft hails from the small Balkan country. With a population of two million, Slovenia has yet to produce a notable pro player. According to International Scouting Services director of scouting Dennis MacInnis, that is set to change with Anze Kopitar.
The 6-foot-2 center hails from the city of Jesenice near Slovenia's northwest border to Austria. Kopitar developed his skills in both the national junior and senior leagues. In 30 junior games, Kopitar racked up 60 points and more impressively, he played 21 games as a 16-year-old with senior club Casino Kranjska Gora.
ISS's European scouts first acknowledged Kopitar as a rising star after his perfonmance at the 2003 European Youth Olympic Festival in Bled, Slovenia. Then at the 2004 world under-18 championship, Kopitar impressed with his ability to lead, finishing third in scoring with six goals and eight points and leading Slovenia to second place. The year was such a breakout for Kopitar that at one point he was seriously considered for the men's national team.
"The coach wanted to call me for one tournament in Slovenia because the national team in the first division had tought competition", said Kopitar, who speaks excellent English. "He wanted to call me, but my father said it was a little bit too early for me." Anze's father, Matjaz, should know what's best for his son; he's an assistant coach for that same senior team.
After the success of 2003-04, Kopitar searched for new challenges and his quest led him to Sweden where he now skates for the Sodertalje junior team. Coach Per Nygaards is a big promoter of his import star player. "He's the best junior player I've had and I used to coach the 19-year-old national team. I think Anze has fantastic potential. He has size (6-2), fantastic hockey sense, a really good shot, he's good on faceoffs and positioning...he's a complete package."
Nevertheles, there are areas of Kopitar's game that have plenty of room for improvement. "He competes hard, but he needs to get better frequency with his legs. With more strength he'll be able to get more power through every stride in a shorter amount of time and he'll be even more difficult for opponents."
Because of his nationality, Kopitar has flown under the radar of many scouts who don't venture to Slovenia in search of talent. Now that he is in Sweden and playing in the same organization as top draft prospect Nicklas Bergfors, scouts will have no choice but to see him play. Bergfors is rated No. 10 for the 2005 draft by ISS, while Kopitar is rated 18th. Kopitar is off to a quick start this season, averaging better than a point per game. At that pace, Kopitar could become Slovenia's NHL pioneer."
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Edit:
ISS:n tuoreessa listassa Kopitar on hienosti parhaana Eurooppalaisena pelaajana kuudentena kaikista varattavista pelaajista;
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7573&mode=threaded&order=0
