General | 1/8/2025 7:43:55 AM

Whether it be Adam Gajan, Simon Latkoczy, Kevin Pasche, Bruno Bruveris or Michael Hrabal, a number of European goaltenders have shined at recent World Junior Championships – all of which had USHL ties.
 
Hrabal was the latest example Sunday afternoon, as he back-stopped Czechia to a bronze medal. The former Omaha Lancer made 32 saves and 12 more in a 14-round shootout, lifting Czechia to a win over Sweden and earning Player of the Game honors.
 
Hrabal was one of seven goalies with USHL ties at the 2025 WJC, joining Slovakia’s Alan Lendak and Samuel Urban, Sweden’s Melvin Strahl, Switzerland’s Christian Kirsch and U.S. goaltenders Trey Augustine and Hampton Slukynsky.
 
While the WJC showcases many of the world’s top prospects every year, it’s also a golden opportunity for kids to put themselves on the map, especially on the international stage.
 
Perhaps it's a reflection of the USHL’s development too, especially between the pipes.
 
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for anybody to play in that event and you have to earn it. But for some of those guys to perform on that stage and be ready for those moments, it speaks volumes about our league,” said Sioux City head coach Jason Kersner. “It doesn’t matter what country or who you’re playing for, the opportunity to represent your country and compete for a medal is such a privilege. 
 
“I know for us here (in Sioux City), we’re all extremely proud of the way Sam (Urban) represented himself and we couldn’t be happier for him. I think him performing the way he did is just a testament to the work he’s put in and his development process over the past two years, and it’s special to see it on that stage.”
 
Kersner has seen that development first-hand as Urban has spent parts of three seasons with the Musketeers. He debuted late in the 2022-23 season, helped Sioux City reach the Western Conference Finals last spring, and has won 10 games so far this season.
 
He appeared in four games for Slovakia at this year’s WJC, finishing the tournament with a 2-2-0 record, .871 save percentage and 3.16 GAA, and Urban shared the Slovakian crease with Fargo’s Alan Lendak.
 
It was Urban’s second straight WJC appearance, although this one featured much more playing time, and he’s still just 19.
 
Yet Urban, like several fellow Europeans netminders, has shown the path to North America and the USHL works. Especially for those aspiring to play college and potentially professionally.
 
“He played a high level of hockey back in Slovakia, and it took a little bit of time to adjust to (the North American game) when he got here, but I think playing in our league has helped Urbs out a ton and he gives us a chance to win every night,” Kersner said. “He came in as our starter last season, but he honestly didn’t have a ton of experience in North America, and it’s a huge adjustment with everything. Both on and off the ice and with the grind of everything.
 
“But he’s just made enormous strides over the past 18 months or so and Urbs has been an integral part of our success. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
 
The same could be said for Lendak, who as mentioned above, joined Urban on the Slovakian roster and appeared in two games.
 
The 18-year-old has played 18 games this season, which is his first in the U.S. He’s currently 13-3-0-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .916 save percentage for the Force. His 2.27 and .916 rank second and third respectively among USHL goalies.
 
Lendak is a big reason why the defending Clark Cup champs are currently second in the Western Conference, and he’s growing more comfortable by the day.
 
“You never know when a kid comes over how they’re going to adjust, both on and off the ice, but Alan has been really driven and came here with a purpose,” said Fargo head coach Brett Skinner. “Obviously there’s the smaller ice sheet and it can affect the angles, and there’s more physicality. And then there’s an adjustment off the ice with the language and living away from home.
 
“I think you see a lot of these kids start to get more comfortable as the season goes along though and you see more of their personality come out, and Alan is no different. I know the (WJC) games didn’t exactly go his way, and some of the goals weren’t really a fault of his own, but I know making it was a great experience and something he’s proud of, and it’s great for his development.”
 
Both goalies echo that sentiment themselves.
 
“This year has been really good for me and I love Fargo and the facilities. So I think playing in the USHL has been very good for me and my development from the beginning of the season has been good,” Lendak said. “I think (this season) is good for my future and the USHL is a hard league, but I love the challenge and it’s always been my dream to be a goalie.” 
 
“The hockey is way different here but the USHL has helped me so much,” added Urban. “The rink is smaller and everyone is so fast and physical, so it’s a really good experience and it challenges you. It really helps you prepare for the future and it’s the best junior league in the world, so it’s really good for your hockey career.”
  
With Slovakia specifically, the country has put plenty of emphasis on the position, and it’s been reflected by the number of goalie prospects they’ve churned out in recent years.
 
Slovakia has its own version of the NTDP and specifically a goalie development program. There are several goalie camps in the country every year and the program is led by former NHL goaltender Jan Lasak, and one of the goals is to see kids advance to leagues such as the USHL.
 
While it’s at times bittersweet seeing kids leave for North America, it’s also a chance to advance their careers and represent their country in the process.
 
“I believe the USHL is the best junior league in the world right now and if our goalies can earn a place in a lineup, it’s huge for their career and we’re very proud of all of them,” said Martin Dendis, Slovakia’s U18 head coach. “The World Juniors are a crucial event for their careers too and it’s their biggest chance in their young careers to show themselves in front of the whole hockey world. And they’re hungry to prove themselves and represent their country.
 
“So it’s really important for those kids that they’re ready for it and playing in (the USHL) really helps them with that.”
 
When it comes to junior hockey, there’s no better stage to represent yourself and your country than the WJC, especially while playing hockey’s most important position.
 
That was once again the case in Ottawa and the USHL was once again represented well in the process.
 
“It was such an honor and you’re always really proud to represent your country whenever you get the chance,” Urban said. “I was in a Slovakian development program for like three years and grew up playing for my hometown team, and that all helped me so much get to where I am now.
 
“I got a lot of really good experience and you always want to play for your country on the international level, but a lot of us have followed a similar path. So it’s been pretty cool to see all the (Slovakian) guys come here (to the USHL) and have success, and it’s given us all the chance to develop and become better goalies.”