Tomasec to Play for Slovakia at World Junior a Challenge
December 7, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Andrej Tomasec will have the opportunity to represent his country over the next few weeks.
The Moose Jaw Warriors rookie forward is set to suit up for Team Slovakia at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge in Truro, NS.
"I'm really excited for that, it's the national team and you can represent the country, so I'm really excited for that and I will try my best, so we'll see how that goes," Tomasec said.
Tomasec has played for his country on multiple occasions throughout his youth, most recently at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer.
"We are not that skilled like Sweden, Finland or Canada, but we have the passion for hockey and we are hard working, so that's the most important thing," Tomasec said on playing for Slovakia.
The Zilina, Slovakia product is looking forward to having the opportunity to play for his country once again.
"It's a great feeling, it's different when you wear the Slovakian jersey, every time when you step on the ice in your nation jersey you have bigger confidence and it's great for me, so I'm excited for that," Tomasec said.
In his first season with the Warriors, Tomasec has been adjusting to playing the North American game. He's still looking for his first Western Hockey League point in 12 games this season.
He said getting a chance to play a bigger role with Slovakia will be a good development opportunity.
"I will try to improve my skills, hopefully I improve there and we'll see how it goes," Tomasec said.
With the World Junior A Challenge being held in Nova Scotia, Tomasec said he will have the advantage on the team of being used to playing on the smaller ice surface.
"For me, it was harder when I came here because in Europe you have big rinks and I love big rinks, so for me it was really bad when I came here, but in these past four months, I get used to it and now it's better for me to play in the small rink," he said.
The World Junior A Challenge opens on Sunday in Truro, NS with Tomasec and Slovakia facing off with Canada East at 5:30 p.m. CST
Slovakia will take on the United States on Monday, they square off with Canada West on Wednesday and then finish the round robin against Sweden next Friday, Dec. 15. All three of those games go at 1:30 p.m. CST.
The semifinals are set for Saturday, Dec. 16 and the medal games go on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2023
- Winterhawks Sign Kraken Prospect Tyson Jugnauth - Portland Winterhawks
- Tomasec to Play for Slovakia at World Junior a Challenge - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tigers Sign Kachkowski to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Wheat Kings Look to Close Gap on Warriors - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Josh Davies Signs NHL Contract with Florida Panthers - Portland Winterhawks
- Birnie Plays Hero as Broncos Win Wild Affair in Calgary - Swift Current Broncos
- Broncos Edge Hitmen, 6-5 - Calgary Hitmen
- Missed Opportunities Sink Warriors Against Rebels Wednesday - Moose Jaw Warriors
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