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Scout
07-27-2005, 08:12 PM
9. Lukas Vantuch, F
Birthdate: 20 July, 1987
Team: Liberec
Height: 6'4
Weight: 202
Shoots: L

The gangly centerman Lukas Vantuch boasts the least junior Extraleague experience of all the players in the Top 10. He impresses with his agility for a big man, but has to work on his footspeed and acceleration. Vantuch should also upgrade his balance as he can be pushed off the puck sometimes too easily. Solid in the faceoff circle, Vantuch possesses decent vision. He is an average puckhandler and boasts an above-average array of shots. He unleashes a hard and accurate slap shot and a quick wrist shot.

He has to put a bigger aggressiveness on display, he tends to play as a friendly giant in some games. Vantuch is a solid passer with good timing of his feeds. He has to further develop on his defensive zone coverage as he isn't much of a force in his own end. He is a project who can pan out, or fade in obscurity. Vantuch registered a bit of a rollercoaster season in 2003-04.

During 2004-05 he gained more ice time with Liberec juniors and had a good season there, though he didn’t make the team for the U-18 WJC. He has decided play in WHL next season for the Calgary Hitmen. A lot of working out and mental preparation is a head of Vantuch to get ready for the physical play. If Vantuch doesn’t work on the toughness he would be called ‘soft’ compared to 5’10 Fredrik Pettersson from Sweden who will be joining Vantuch as the other import. Due to Vantuch’s size, skill and skating, he should be drafted.

Scout