Dalibor Dvorsky during last August’s 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.
photo: Andre Ringuette / IIHF Images
With a couple of talents in the line-up, Dalibor Dvorsky stands out on the Slovak team at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
“I felt very good on the ice, everything went quite smoothly for me. It was beneficial that we met and played together before the World Juniors started. We tried some plays and prepared well. I think it was a good test before the tournament,” said Dalibor Dvorsky.
“We played very well up the front. We are doing well during forecheck and we have good chemistry,” continued Dvorsky. “We have to improve in defence. But in my opinion, I have improved a lot in defence compared to last year. But there is still room to develop my game. And as a team we have time to make everything perfect until the tournament starts.”
Dvorsky participated already one year ago in the tournament, which had to be cancelled due to multiple Covid-19 cases found in several teams. When he made the team again in the rescheduled World Juniors, the tournament went badly for Slovakia. Without Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec, who were freshly drafted prospects, the Slovaks showed one of the worst performances of the last few years. They finished ninth out of ten and recorded an 11-1 loss against Canada.
“That tournament didn’t work out for us at all. We made many mistakes, but I think, we learned a lot from that. Now we know what a high level of hockey is waiting for us there. I’m pretty sure we will go into the upcoming tournament better prepared and more experienced. I already can’t wait to play there. It’s the biggest tournament in our category,” concluded the 17-year-old forward, who is playing senior hockey for Swedish second-tier club AIK Stockholm. He has already played 18 games this season where he scored four goals and four assists so far.
Due to his current and past performance, many scouts predict him to be in the top-10 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. That is why this year is much different for Dvorsky.
“It’s a different year. All things around the draft are here and media attention is bigger than last year. But I didn’t pay special attention to it. I am focusing on myself and my performance on the ice,” said Dvorsky.
His attitude looks perfect, but his words sound almost cliché-like cliche. “I have never thought about being stressed about these things. I’m prepared very well psychically and can deal with all things like this smoothly. In the end, the most important thing is how I perform on the ice,” concluded Dvorsky.
The young Slovak’s mindset looks strong, which is what scouts always like to see. A couple of them have already been in touch with him. “But there wasn’t anything special yet. I think it’s too early to talk about any serious activity. But I already had some meetings and filled some questionnaires too,” he said.
Dvorsky knows player who went through this recently, such as Juraj Slafkovsky or Simon Nemec. But there are other people who are backing him up to get the most out of this special season.
“To be honest, I didn’t talk to Juraj or Simon about that. What they achieved is marvellous. I still have great people around me. It’s my coaches, teammates and my parents always helping me the same as all the time before,” acknowledged Dvorsky.
Dvorsky looks on the right path towards the NHL. At the age of 17 he is already developing his offensive ability in the second-tier league Allsvenskan where he plays senior hockey against men.
“I feel very good at this level. I think I am getting a great chance in the club and I try to make as much as I can out of it. The whole club is in a good mood right now and I get along with everyone. I think we have a good team this year. I just have to work hard on the ice to keep the chance alive,” said Dvorsky. “I’m playing power plays and I have quite good ice time too. All these things are the result of my performance. If I continue to provide good work, I will get more chances to show what I can do.”
While the Slovak prospect is dreaming of an NHL career, he’s focused on his present teams and wants to bring a positive approach to the locker room.
“I try to be helpful and support every player on and off the ice. I always want to bring good energy to the locker room and try to be positive all the time. That’s the way I like to be,” he said.
While usually playing and practising in Sweden, Dvorsky still attends school back home remotely.
“I’m at a sports grammar school in Banska Bystrica. But they allow me to have an individual plan, which runs online. I’ve been doing everything on time so far and the teachers in the school are very helpful. I try to handle all my responsibilities. When I have free time with no hockey, I am working on my school work,” explained Dvorsky.
Having skated in a couple of big junior IIHF tournaments, in the top Slovak and second Swedish senior leagues, Dvorsky is full of confidence. Due to these achievements, he was not afraid to say that he is already prepared for the highest international level and hopes to be able to join the men’s national team.
“I hope the invitation will come one day. I will do my best on the ice and the rest is up to the national team management. For me there is only one way, I need to play as good as I possibly can,” said Dvorsky.
“I felt very good on the ice, everything went quite smoothly for me. It was beneficial that we met and played together before the World Juniors started. We tried some plays and prepared well. I think it was a good test before the tournament,” said Dalibor Dvorsky.
“We played very well up the front. We are doing well during forecheck and we have good chemistry,” continued Dvorsky. “We have to improve in defence. But in my opinion, I have improved a lot in defence compared to last year. But there is still room to develop my game. And as a team we have time to make everything perfect until the tournament starts.”
Dvorsky participated already one year ago in the tournament, which had to be cancelled due to multiple Covid-19 cases found in several teams. When he made the team again in the rescheduled World Juniors, the tournament went badly for Slovakia. Without Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec, who were freshly drafted prospects, the Slovaks showed one of the worst performances of the last few years. They finished ninth out of ten and recorded an 11-1 loss against Canada.
“That tournament didn’t work out for us at all. We made many mistakes, but I think, we learned a lot from that. Now we know what a high level of hockey is waiting for us there. I’m pretty sure we will go into the upcoming tournament better prepared and more experienced. I already can’t wait to play there. It’s the biggest tournament in our category,” concluded the 17-year-old forward, who is playing senior hockey for Swedish second-tier club AIK Stockholm. He has already played 18 games this season where he scored four goals and four assists so far.
Due to his current and past performance, many scouts predict him to be in the top-10 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. That is why this year is much different for Dvorsky.
“It’s a different year. All things around the draft are here and media attention is bigger than last year. But I didn’t pay special attention to it. I am focusing on myself and my performance on the ice,” said Dvorsky.
His attitude looks perfect, but his words sound almost cliché-like cliche. “I have never thought about being stressed about these things. I’m prepared very well psychically and can deal with all things like this smoothly. In the end, the most important thing is how I perform on the ice,” concluded Dvorsky.
The young Slovak’s mindset looks strong, which is what scouts always like to see. A couple of them have already been in touch with him. “But there wasn’t anything special yet. I think it’s too early to talk about any serious activity. But I already had some meetings and filled some questionnaires too,” he said.
Dvorsky knows player who went through this recently, such as Juraj Slafkovsky or Simon Nemec. But there are other people who are backing him up to get the most out of this special season.
“To be honest, I didn’t talk to Juraj or Simon about that. What they achieved is marvellous. I still have great people around me. It’s my coaches, teammates and my parents always helping me the same as all the time before,” acknowledged Dvorsky.
Dvorsky looks on the right path towards the NHL. At the age of 17 he is already developing his offensive ability in the second-tier league Allsvenskan where he plays senior hockey against men.
“I feel very good at this level. I think I am getting a great chance in the club and I try to make as much as I can out of it. The whole club is in a good mood right now and I get along with everyone. I think we have a good team this year. I just have to work hard on the ice to keep the chance alive,” said Dvorsky. “I’m playing power plays and I have quite good ice time too. All these things are the result of my performance. If I continue to provide good work, I will get more chances to show what I can do.”
While the Slovak prospect is dreaming of an NHL career, he’s focused on his present teams and wants to bring a positive approach to the locker room.
“I try to be helpful and support every player on and off the ice. I always want to bring good energy to the locker room and try to be positive all the time. That’s the way I like to be,” he said.
While usually playing and practising in Sweden, Dvorsky still attends school back home remotely.
“I’m at a sports grammar school in Banska Bystrica. But they allow me to have an individual plan, which runs online. I’ve been doing everything on time so far and the teachers in the school are very helpful. I try to handle all my responsibilities. When I have free time with no hockey, I am working on my school work,” explained Dvorsky.
Having skated in a couple of big junior IIHF tournaments, in the top Slovak and second Swedish senior leagues, Dvorsky is full of confidence. Due to these achievements, he was not afraid to say that he is already prepared for the highest international level and hopes to be able to join the men’s national team.
“I hope the invitation will come one day. I will do my best on the ice and the rest is up to the national team management. For me there is only one way, I need to play as good as I possibly can,” said Dvorsky.