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Czech-mate!

Steele County Times - Staff Photo - Create Article
Blades players Matej Čech, left, and Adam Knébl, right, stand together dawning their Steele County uniforms. Both athletes are in their first year with the team after moving to the U.S. from the Czech Republic. Staff photo by Joey Bunton
Blades Čech, Knébl make splash in debut season
By
Johnnie Phillips, Sports Editor

The Steele County Blades junior hockey team regularly features players that come to Owatonna from outside of the U.S. and this season is no different as the has seven players born outside of the country on its roster.

Making their Blades debut in 2022 is a pair of players from the Czech Republic, Adam Knébl and Matej Čech, and both are already making their presence felt on the ice.

“I really like the fact that I can play hockey in the U.S.,” said Knébl. “It’s been my dream since I was a child to visit the U.S. and the fact that I can play hockey here, it’s just awesome.”

While Knébl is in his first year playing in the U.S., Čech is going on his second season in Minnesota, most recently playing as a member of the Minnesota Blizzard 18U AAA program in the Midwest Exposure Series 18U league.

At 18 years old, both athletes enter their first year on the team on the younger side in a league where athletes can play up until age 20.

However, make no mistake, what the two athletes lack in experience, they make up for in talent.

Over the course of 17 games, the two have combined for 13 points, with Knébl tallying eight and Čech recording five.

Knébl has cemented himself as a goal scorer and his five goals currently sit tied with teammate Arturas Laurynavichus for the third most on the team, while Čech has mostly earned his points via slick passing plays en route to notching four assists.

According to both athletes, the game in the U.S. is actually harder than the competition they faced in Europe, with both mentioning that the speed of the game is seemingly faster.

Yet, the increase in speed on the ice isn’t the only thing the two have had to get used to.

“I think the change of time has been the biggest adjustment for me,” said Knébl.

Helping both athletes with their transitions to life in the states are their billet families, both of whom each athlete said they are thankful for.

“My billet family is super nice to me. I really enjoy being around them and having fun,” said Čech.

As is the case for many junior hockey players, both Knébl and Čech came to the Blades with hopes of continuing their hockey careers even after they retire their orange and black jerseys.

Čech mentioned that he hopes to either play in college in the U.S. or the Czech Republic, while Knébl said that he will see what happens with his hockey career as time goes by.

Yet, for each, the true goal of being a member of the Blades is simple: Enjoy the time with the team.

“As I said, hockey is better for personal development in so many ways. That is what I like about it. But my favorite part is being with my teammates, hanging out, and having a lot of fun,” said Čech.

Those looking to watch Čech and Knébl take the ice next can watch the Blades in their next home game at the Four Seasons Centre on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

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