by Joel Vanderlaan | AHL On The Beat
In July, an offseason commerce with the Utah Hockey Membership introduced Jan Jenik to the Ottawa Senators.
Now, he’s embracing the following chapter of his profession with the group.
Acquired in change for fan favourite Egor Sokolov, Jenik was chosen by the Arizona Coyotes within the third spherical of the 2018 NHL Draft. The 24-year-old ahead appeared in 22 NHL video games with the franchise and spent nearly all of his skilled profession with their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.
“It was undoubtedly thrilling. Somewhat little bit of a brand new chapter,” Jenik mentioned of the commerce. “It’s been enjoyable. All people has been actually good to me. I’m simply making an attempt to get probably the most out of it.”
Jenik started taking part in hockey in his hometown of Nymburk, Czechia, a city with a inhabitants of 16,000 located on the Elbe River, 35 kilometers east of Prague. It is named the house of Basketball Nymburk, probably the most profitable membership within the Czech Nationwide Basketball League.
“It’s a small city. So there wasn’t that a lot hockey, however it was good,” Jenik mentioned. “I had a variety of pals there. I watched a variety of the nationwide workforce. Truthfully, my favourite participant rising up was all the time Pavel Datsyuk, after which all the blokes on the nationwide workforce as a result of all of them introduced one thing totally different.”
Jenik’s expertise ultimately took him to North America, the place he joined the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
“It was an enormous distinction,” he mentioned of transitioning from the Czech Extraliga to North American main junior. “Clearly, the rink is greater in Europe, however I believe I choose the model of play right here greater than again house so I adjusted fairly shortly.”
Jenik recorded 35 targets and 51 assists in 54 video games with Hamilton, together with 56 factors in 27 video games throughout his ultimate season, highlighted by a 26-game level streak. If not for a season-ending harm on the 2020 World Juniors, he would have been the front-runner for the OHL MVP.
Transferring to the Senators’ group reunited Jenik with workforce proprietor Michael Andlauer and president of hockey operations and basic supervisor Steve Staios, who he performed for with the Bulldogs for 2 seasons between 2018 and 2020. Jenik was thrilled to rejoin each executives.
“Nice folks. I like taking part in for them,” he mentioned. “They all the time took care of us (in Hamilton), and so they do the identical right here. I’m simply glad I could be a part of this workforce with them as soon as once more. It’s thrilling.”
Recognized for his aggressive nature, Jenik prides himself on doing no matter is critical to assist his workforce succeed.
“I’ve all the time been very aggressive since rising up,” he mentioned. “I hated dropping and tried to do all of it, regardless of the workforce wants in the intervening time.”
Jenik has loved taking part in for Belleville Senators head coach David Bell. The left-hand-shot heart appreciates Bell’s concentrate on two-way play and resume. Bell performed 295 video games within the AHL and ECHL on protection and has been teaching since 2004.
“He’s an ideal man, in order that makes it simpler,” Jenik mentioned. “He’s skilled, coach. He performed, so he is aware of what it takes, he is aware of the way it goes. He expects a 200-foot sport from me, and that’s what I’m making an attempt to ship.
“The largest distinction (in skilled hockey) is how a lot you play with out the puck and the way a lot consideration it’s a must to pay to particulars within the zone. A lot of the guys coming from juniors are excellent offensive gamers, however (it’s) simply listening to your coach and teammates… they’re all the time making an attempt that can assist you out.”
Following an early-season harm, Jenik has returned to the lineup skating in 13 contests, tallying seven factors, 38 penalty minutes and a plus-4 score. He was recalled this week and made his Ottawa debut on Tuesday night time.
After they gained their first playoff sequence final season, Jenik is keen to assist Belleville return to the postseason.
“Playoffs is every little thing you play for all season,” he mentioned. “We all the time wish to be in a race, we all the time wish to be there, so there isn’t a sport that we don’t wish to win. That’s simply the mindset we preserve going for the yr.”
Now calling the Pleasant Metropolis and the Bay of Quinte area house, Jenik is settling into his new environment.
“It’s a great spot,” he mentioned. “We stay proper by the water, so it’s very good.”
Residing on the waterfront and competing for a playoff spot are each good locations. It’s no marvel Janik loves life in Belleville.
