“Martin Frk is excited and ready to play hockey. He was training in Montreal with our NHL clients and impressed everyone.”
-Allan Walsh , Frk’s Agent
The Halifax Mooseheads have finally landed their top pick in this year’s CHL Import Draft.
Martin Frk, drafted third overall, has been released from his club team, HC Energie Karlovy Vary, of the Czech League. Initially, the IIHF denied Halifax’s appeal to have him released from his contract, but an agreement was announced earlier today that he would be joining the Mooseheads for the upcoming season.
Frk, who turns 17 in October, will join the team for practice Wednesday morning, but will not take part in the preseason game against Saint John tomorrow evening. Moosehead fans may get their first chance to see Frk when Halifax plays its final preseason game Saturday against the PEI Rocket on Saturday (Sept. 4) at the Forum.
“Martin Frk is excited and ready to play hockey,” said Frk’s agent Allan Walsh (via @walsha). “He was training in Montreal with our NHL clients and impressed everyone.”
HC Energie Karlovy Vary was reluctant to part with the talented young forward either for strictly hockey purposes or because of inadequate monetary compensation in their minds.
“Bobby Smith’s persistence is largely responsible for obtaining Frk’s clearance to play. He did an amazing job here,” said Walsh.
Martin Frk will be a big part of young Mooseheads squad that is looking to grow and make things difficult for their opponents. Frk has already been marked out as a potential top ten pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, some even mentioning him in the discussion for the first overall spot in that draft.
He is described as physical forward with great offensive abilities. He scored 57 points in 39 games at the Czech under-20 level last season to go along with 184 PIMs. Clearly, he doesn’t shy away from the physical aspect of the game, which has led some to compare him to Boston Bruins legend Cam Neely. If that is in fact the case, Frk will likely become a fan favourite in short order. I’m already wondering what number he’ll take and considering getting a jersey.
With the regular season just over a week away this marks a very nice addition to the Mooseheads team. Halifax opens the regular season at home Friday, September 10 against provincial rival the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
