Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers went back to the Czech Republic with their second pick of the 2008 CHL Import Draft selecting forward ZDENÌK OKÁL.

Okal, 17, played with HC Zlin, the same organization which brought the Tigers the Psurny brothers, Roman and Mikal.

“Zdenek is a good skater, great passer, good on the power play with really good hands,” said Tigers’ general manager/head coach Willie Desjardins. “He is the type of player we expect to come in and be able to finish for us.”

“He is not the biggest guy, 5’ 10”, 165 lbs which probably hurt him a little bit in this year’s NHL draft,” stated Desjardins. “I think he’s just started to grow a little bit as he was 5’ 8” last year.”

Zdenek played on the Czech under 18 team as a 16 and 17-year-old, so it’s good he played a year ahead of schedule,” said Desjardins. “He has a bit of a chance at their world junior team this season.”

“We think we have a real good player. He comes for a great family He is really intelligent and real good in school. We are excited to have him join our organization,” concluded Desjardins.

ZDENÌK OKÁL
Hometown: Zlin, CZE			DOB: July 8, 1990
Position: Left Wing			Shoots: Left
Height: 5’ 8”			Weight: 165 lbs
Year 07-08 08	Club HC Zlin WJC U18	GP 44 4	G 16 4	A 17 1	Pts 43 5	Pim 108 2