Rysavy Headed to Czechia's World Junior Camp
Published on December 14, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Martin Rysavy is getting an opportunity to throw on his country's sweater once again.
The Moose Jaw Warriors' 19-year-old forward was named to Czechia's world junior selection camp roster this week.
"Really excited about that, I worked pretty much my whole career to play for my national team and wear this jersey in these big tournaments," Rysavy said on Monday.
This will be Rysavy's second chance to represent Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Championship after suiting up for his country at the tournament this past summer.
The Columbus Blue Jackets' draft pick scored two goals, including the first goal of the tournament and another in a showdown against Canada.
Rysavy said he learned a lot from that experience.
"It's a really short tournament, so you have to be consistent," he said. "There's a lot of games, lots of practicing, so you have to be focused for each day."
Rysavy is no stranger to international competition, playing for Czechia at each level so far. Now heading into his second opportunity at the World Juniors, he said he wants to play a big role for the team.
"I should have a big role as a 19-year-old there," Rysavy said. "I will talk to the players because we have just a few guys that have played there for as much time as me."
After a slow start to the season with the Warriors, that included him missing a month due a shoulder injury, Rysavy has started to find his stride recently.
He put together the best game of his WHL career in his final home game before leaving for the World Juniors, scoring two goals and five points in last Friday's 9-2 win over Calgary.
Rysavy has two goals and 11 points in 21 games this season.
"It was a start that I didn't want to have and after I got hurt, I try to work as much as I can off the ice and just be consistent and do the work," he said. "After I came back, I felt way better, I was growing each game and the last few games, I think I played really good."
This is Rysavy's second season with the Warriors. He said he feels more comfortable in Moose Jaw now.
"I know the city, I know pretty much everyone in the locker room really well and our coaching staff, I'm used to the travel, I'm feeling way more comfortable now, the second year is always easier than the first one," Rysavy said.
Going into the Czechia selection camp, Rysavy feels good about the team's roster.
"It's a lot of guys from the summer, pretty much the main group, there's some young guys that will grow with us in the tournament," he said. "We have really good depth, really good players, a lot of skill."
Czechia plays its first pre-tournament game against Latvia next Tuesday, Dec. 20, and then will take on Switzerland on Thursday, Dec. 22 in Halifax.
Czechia opens the 2023 World Juniors with a showdown against Canada on Dec. 26.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2022
- Raiders Suffer Narrow 3-2 Loss to Tigers - Prince Albert Raiders
- Pats Battle Back to Beat Chiefs 4-3 in a Shootout - Regina Pats
- Kelowna Topple Broncos 5-2 - Kelowna Rockets
- Rysavy Headed to Czechia's World Junior Camp - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Preview: Rockets At Broncos - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Time Changed December 30 - Winnipeg Ice
- Chiefs Continue Road Trip in Swetlikoff's Hometown of Regina Wednesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Hit the Road on 6-Game Winning Streak - Tri-City Americans
- Samuel Honzek Invited to Slovakia's World Junior Selection Camp - Vancouver Giants
- Winterhawks Call up Defenseman Nicholas Andrusiak - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview December 14 at Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Back Home Versus Spokane - Regina Pats
- T-Birds Declaw the Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
