While the first-ever pick of the 2022 NHL draft learned the hard way, his friend and compatriot Filip Mesar, also first-round selected by the Canadian, learned the same thing. This happened far from the limelight, however, with Ontario Junior League’s Kitchener Rangers.

Mesar made a good impression, collecting 51 points in 52 games that season, playing for a midfield team. Most importantly, he had the opportunity to fully acclimatize to his new surroundings, he told reporters on Tuesday at the sidelines of the NHL Rookie Showcase, which was held in Arlington, a Washington suburb.

“Kitchener was a good place to play,” he said. We had good players, I made good friends, my host family took care of me… Not everything worked out for our team, but it was a great experience. Now I know what to expect. »

While many Europeans say they are taking time to get used to the ice rinks here, which are smaller than those on the old continent, Mesar claims he has had no problems. After the rookie tournament and the Habs training camp last fall, he found his way around, he said. The forward had also spent a few weeks skating in Montreal in the summer of 2022.

At Kitchener, he found the juniors’ schedule particularly taxing. A season of almost 70 games, twenty more than in the European leagues. The Rangers also played two playoff rounds. “But you get used to it,” he said.

Laval, Gothenburg…

While most young players regularly talk about wanting to play in the NHL, Mesar is more cautious about that. Though the coaches told him at the team’s recent development camp that they wanted him to play “in a big league” from now on, he doesn’t deny that the rest of the game for him will likely come via the American League with the Laval Rockets.

He frankly admits he would love to compete in a third and final World Junior Championship after seeing his team do well in the most recent presentation. On January 2, Slovakia almost caused an historic upset when a clash against Canada ended in extra time. However, a Connor Bedard goal dashed Slovakia’s hopes.

At the next World Cup, to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, Filip Mesar hopes to be “a good leader” for his club who are “aiming for the gold medal”. The national team could potentially count on Simon Nemec and Dalibor Dvorsky, two first-round picks from recent drafts.

“But I don’t think we’ll have slaf,” he added with a half-smile.

That really shouldn’t be happening. He found his eternal accomplice two weeks ago in Montreal. The two live and train together and will likely be able to see each other often during the season if the two stay in the metro area as planned.

However, Slafkovsky’s junior career is finally over. That of Mesar is almost as well. But we can sense in his voice that he wants to end this with a medal.