Samuel Honzek is a Slovak who plays for the Vancouver Giants. In the WHL this season, the center/left wing has amassed 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games and has a rating of +17. Internationally this season, he has tallied 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 9 games for Slovakia at the U18 level. He also represented Slovakia at this year’s world juniors, where he was held scoreless in 4 games with a rating of -3. He played in the 2022 world junior tournament as well, and was held scoreless in 2 games with a rating of -1.
Kasper Haltunnen, a Finnish right winger, had 24 points (18 goals, 6 assists) and was a +15 this season for HIFK U20. Also, he managed 1 assist and a -7 rating for HIFK in Liiga, and has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 3 games playing in the Mestis (Finland’s 2nd-highest professional league). Internationally, he totaled 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer. That was his second time representing Finland at this tournament.
Honzek and Hulttinen share many similarities. Each can play at the center or wing position, and have large power forward type frames (Honzek is 6’4,” 186 lbs.; Hultannen stands 6’3,” and weighs in at 207 lbs). However, Honzek is known for being deadly around the net with a very quick release. Prior to being sidelined for 20 games with an injury sustained at the WJC, he was projected to be a 100-point player in the WHL. Also, in addition to his quick release he has elite vision, enabling him to be both scorer and playmaker. Although Hultinnen is praised for a heavy shot and an excellent power game in tight areas, Honzek’s game projects a bit better at the next level.