By Warren Kozireski — They were selected just 14 spots apart in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft held in Chicago, both made great impressions at the New York Rangers training camp this past fall and now both are seeing top-line minutes as part of Team Sweden and Team Czech Republic respectively at the IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championships in Buffalo.
The nephew of former Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick Mikael Andersson (1984), the seventh overall pick Lias scored twice in Sweden’s 6-1 win over Belarus in their first game of the tournament after netting three in seven games as part of last year’s squad.
After NHL training camp this past fall, he returned to Sweden and is playing with Frolunda HC against men where he has seven goals and seven assists over the first 22 games this season.
“It’s getting better and better; it started a little tough when I got back from New York,” Andersson said about the beginning of his European season. “It’s been a crazy summer. I’m happy to be back with Frolunda—it’s a great organization and we work hard.
“Since the summer it’s been like five trips overseas, so it’s great to be back and practice at my own tempo. I just want to help my team win. If that’s blocked shots or a goal I don’t care.
“I have a bigger role this year (at the World Juniors for Team Sweden). I get more ice time and more power play time and more important face-offs, so a bigger role both on and off the ice.”
Chytil played the first two games of the regular season in the NHL before being sent to Hartford in the AHL for more playing and development time. There he has five goals with seven assists in his first 15 professional contests.
At the World Juniors he scored a goal even after earlier taking a high stick and playing much of the game with his nose full of gauze to help his team upset Team Russia 5-4 in their first game of the tournament.
“After pre-tournament games against Canada and Finland, we lost both games and we wanted to play our system and our game and it’s the reason we won,” Chytil said. “I’m satisfied that I helped my team with a goal and in the defensive zone.”
The 6’2”, 190 lb. center has also had a whirlwind few months between the NHL, the AHL and now World Juniors over a three-month span.
“Everything is different. NHL is different from AHL. AHL is different than World Juniors, but I am enjoying playing for my country. It’s junior hockey, but every player here plays for the best leagues in juniors so I glad I am playing here for the experience.
“In Hartford they told me that I can go here, so I was looking forward to this tournament.”
“He’s a fast and skilled player, plays like a Czech, likes the offensive zone; he’s a skill guy so you need to ready for his speed,” Andersson said about his fellow first round future teammate.
At this point, Andersson seems to have the more well-rounded game and Chytil potentially is more explosive offensively. In any case, both should be wearing blue regularly in the very near future.
