OHL Saginaw Spirit

Sapovaliv Joins Czechia for Third World Juniors Stint

December 12, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Prague, Cze. - The Czech Ice Hockey Federation announced its preliminary roster for the 2024 World Junior Championship this morning. For the third season, Spirit forward Matyas Sapovaliv will join his home country on junior hockey's biggest stage.

Already with 14 games of World Junior experience and nine points (2G, 7A) under his belt, Sapovaliv looks to be a prime figure for Czechia in 2024. Last year, the 6'4" center collected seven assists in seven games as he helped the Czechs to a silver medal - their first medal since 2005. In 2022, Sapovaliv collected a pair of goals in seven games during his first World Junior appearance.

With the Spirit this season, the 19-year-old sits second in team scoring with 36 points (12G, 24A). On his ongoing eight game point streak, Sapovaliv has five goals and fourteen assists for 19 points. His current streak follows an earlier nine game streak in October that saw five goals, six assists and 11 points.

Sapovaliv was selected by the Spirit with the 15th overall selection in the 2021 CHL Import Draft. In the summer of 2022, the Vegas Golden Knights selected him with their second round pick, 48th overall.

In 156 career OHL games, the Kladno, Cze. native has 57 goals, 87 assists, and 144 points.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2023


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.

OurSports Central