"When someone inquires about a player you always have to listen." Started GM Bachul. " Jakub Vrana is an excellent player and we valued him highly."
Vrana has improved every single season since entering the UHL in 2016.He continues to grow showing how he has made the jump from role player with the occasional flash of offensive talent to consistent scorer.
"When Mark (Meteor's GM Pagica) called me up and he only brought up the one name, I was surprised. I know they scouted some games of ours, but Mark as a new GM, I didn't think he was involved, but I guess he liked what the scouts had to say."
In return the Rink Rats picked up star in waiting Kirby Dach. "OK, I must admit, I know Kirby well." continued Bachul. "He is from my hometown in Edmonton and my son played against him a bit in 2015 at Alberta Cup tryouts. I remember the people at the rink lined up three deep at the glass to watch him play. It was pretty surreal. Many of us knew then he was going to be a big thing."
Today Dach is in Edmonton preparing for the 2021 World Juniors where he hopes to bring back gold. Although he is a natural centre Dach will be on right-wing on what appears to be the top line for Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. “The reality of our lineup is we maybe have 10 centres, so someone has to play the wing,” said the head coach Tourigny. “Kirby played the wing for us us at the Hlinka Gretzky (Cup) here and he was really good (2018). I had a good talk with him and he was OK with wherever he plays … he didn’t say it was a big deal where he played. He knows he can play both. His compete is phenomenal, he’s got great leadership.
"We are thrilled. Although Vrana will be missed, adding what could end up being a first line centre, and having the first pick in the draft, we are expecting a bright future for our club.