Far across the Atlantic, already knew of the 91裸聊视频� propensity for producing NHL-calibre defenseman.

So when the Western Hockey League club selected the Czech-born rearguard this summer in the 2017 CHL Import Draft, Zabransky was quick to commit to his new career path in North America.

91裸聊视频淥f course, Kelowna is one of the best places in Canada,91裸聊视频� said Zabransky, 17. 91裸聊视频淢y agent, he told me this is the best place for defencemen, there are lots of good defense coming from here, so that was a quite easy decision for me.91裸聊视频�

Zabransky brings with him some strong hockey bloodlines, rooted both at the elite level in Europe and in the NHL.

His dad91裸聊视频攁lso 91裸聊视频攑layed 40 games in the NHL in the 1990s with the St. Louis Blues, while his uncle, , played with five big-league North American teams, including three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.

The elder Zabransky, who owns and coaches the HC Kometa Brno team in the Czech Republic, was able to provide some direction for his son in making a choice, but ultimately it was young Libor91裸聊视频檚 decision.

Between his childhood goal of playing in the NHL and the potential pressures of staying at home to play, Zabransky had two more concrete reasons for taking the Canadian major junior route.

91裸聊视频�(We) talked about what91裸聊视频檚 best for me. My dream is to play in the NHL,91裸聊视频� said Zabransky. 91裸聊视频淚 think I can learn here a lot, the Canadian style of hockey, because it91裸聊视频檚 very different in Czech. It91裸聊视频檚 more physical here.

91裸聊视频淚n Czech, the mentality is different,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚f I play there, they look at me and say, 91裸聊视频極h, he91裸聊视频檚 the son of the owner.91裸聊视频� The other reason (for coming to Canada) is it91裸聊视频檚 the best league for juniors in the world.91裸聊视频�

A 6-foot-1, 180-pound skilled defenceman at both ends of the ice, Rockets head coach Jason Smith expects Zabransky91裸聊视频攇iven a little time to adjust91裸聊视频攚ill make a successful transition to the the North American game.

91裸聊视频淔irst of all, he91裸聊视频檚 very competitive and he knows the game well,91裸聊视频� said Smith. 91裸聊视频淗e can transport the puck and shoot the puck, and he91裸聊视频檚 able to defend as well. There will be a learning curve with the North American ice and the heavier schedule in his first full season, but he has all the tools. He91裸聊视频檚 excited about the challenge.91裸聊视频�

Zabransky, the Rockets 51st choice in the CHL import draft, is joined in Kelowna by one of his teammates last season on the Kometa Brno junior team. Forward Marek Skvrne, 18, was the Rockets91裸聊视频� second choice, 111th overall and is competing with Tomas Soutsal for the club91裸聊视频檚 second import slot.

Zabransky, who was injured this summer playing for the Czech team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial U18 tournament, has returned to full health in time for this Friday91裸聊视频檚 WHL season opener at home to the Kamloops Blazers.

One month into his move, Zabransky couldn91裸聊视频檛 have asked for a much better introduction to Canada and the Okanagan.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 excited to play first game,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淓verything is perfect for me here, my billet, the coaches, the guys in the locker room are good. I like them and they are nice to me and the other Czech (Marek Skvrne). We are both excited.91裸聊视频�