“I have the skills to produce. I haven’t proven it yet. I’m looking forward to showing it off.”

Montreal Canadiens prospect Jan Mysak’s message: Don’t give up on me, because I haven’t given up.

A few years ago, there was some enthusiasm among fans for this fiery and dynamic Czech striker, a second-round pick in 2020 when he was ranked 28th in the North American Central rankings. NHL recruiting.

A journalist who avidly follows the hopefuls in his free time even placed him ninth on his personal list.

If Mysak had been thrown into the wolf’s den with the Laval Rocket at age 18 in 2020-2021, expectations were higher for him last season when he landed full-time in the American League. Expectations he failed to live up to as Mysak was limited to just nine points in 40 games.

Since then, experts and amateurs have fallen in love with other hopes. As rookie camp approaches, Mysak’s name doesn’t come to mind, but not at all, unlike, say, Joshua Roy.

But don’t count Mysak out for defeat, warns Jay McKee, his former coach with the Hamilton Bulldogs (now Brantford) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

“He still has a chance [d’atteindre la LNH]says the ice hockey player on the phone. Jan is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. He’s such a positive guy, he’ll go his own way.”

McKee, a former NHL forward who played with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, is still haunted by a scene that occurred during the OHL playoffs in North Bay in 2022.

“After the game we have dinner in the arena and Jan asks me if he can run back to the hotel. We were in the association finals. I try to bring him back to his senses: “Jani, it’s pouring rain outside.” It didn’t bother him at all. “Well, you know what, if that’s what you want to do, I won’t stop you…” He’s the kind of player you shouldn’t motivate. Instead, you need to restrain him so that he doesn’t get tired.

“It establishes a culture within your team. I would like to have five guys like him every year as they show the way for the younger guys. It really is a Swiss Army knife. When he wasn’t scoring goals, he made life difficult for the other team with tireless advances and a lot of speed. He created opportunities. He was an incredibly effective player for us, whether he was on the scoresheet or not.”

No excuses

Mysak could justify his disappointing performance in the 2022-23 season in several ways. On top of that, he played a lot of hockey last season at the World Junior Championships and the Memorial Cup tournament.

There’s that lower-body injury that limited him to 40 games in his first full season in the American League.

But Mysak doesn’t bite.

“Of course it wasn’t perfect, but I was still able to play games,” he says. I don’t think we can attribute all of this to injuries. Injuries can put your season on hold, but when you’re back you can play, right? It’s part of ice hockey.

“It was my first year [à temps plein dans la LAH] and I’m hard on myself, but I wasn’t good enough. I know I can give more. I agree: We haven’t seen my offensive game in the American League yet.

In his meeting with Jean-François Houle at the end of the season, the organization’s instructions were clear.

“I had to get stronger,” he explains. Stronger in battles. The guys at the professional level are impressive. Some of them are 30 pounds heavier than me. The priority was to get stronger to prepare for professional hockey.”

Mysak got his hands dirty without neglecting his physicality and explosiveness. He spent the summer training two hours from his hometown of Livitnov, Czech Republic, following a program created by his personal trainer.

“I’m definitely a little heavier than I was,” he mentions.

Mysak, who had arrived in Montreal at the time of our telephone interview the day before, will still need some time to recover from jet lag.

“I skated with Emil Heineman and Jakub Dobes, among others. It was my first day after a long plane ride, so I felt really bad today (laughs), he openly admits. But at home I can say that I felt very comfortable.

Although he is used to being used in all kinds of situations and at different positions, the main focus for Mysak is that he will play with the Rockets next season.

“I’m really good at faceoffs,” he insists. I can be effective both offensively and defensively. But hey, I’ve been used everywhere my whole life. Ultimately, my main quality is my passion.”

The main prospect says he still feels the trust of head coach Jean-François Houle, with whom he has a good relationship.

“It’s different than what I was used to in Europe,” emphasizes Mysak. He’s not the type to yell at you. He is demanding and yes, he wants to win, but his approach is different from other coaches I know.

Condotta, your surprise

One player in particular surprised Mysak on the Rocket last season.

William Trudeau?

Xavier Simoneau?

Peter Abbandonato?

All good candidates that Mysak would no doubt be quick to praise if given the chance. But not the right answer.

The friendly Czech threw us a curveball.

“Lucas Condotta,” says Mysak. We started the season together on the fourth line in Laval and by the end of the year he was in the NHL.

In his first game, in his first appearance and with his first shot, Condotta scored his first goal in the NHL, against the Boston Bruins.

“He’s really strong,” Mysak noted of his teammate. With his tall stature, it is difficult to take the puck away from him. He’s very good in the net.”

If Condotta could give his good friend some of that physical strength…