[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (U-18 Edition, Vol.14):

Slovakian LD Fabian Licko looks like a two-way D in lower levels of hockey but like countryman Adam Belusko, the offensive dimension he shows might only exist in junior. Licko was 26th in scoring by defenseman in Slovakia's U20 league, and 18th in ppg, with 2 goals and 14 points in 22 games for HC Slovan Bratislava. The 6'2",196lb rearguard played a combined 24 games in Slovakia's 2nd-tier men's league, split between the U18 National Team (1 assist in 10 games), and HC Modre Kridla Slovan (2 assists in 14 games), and had no points in 2 games in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He managed to tie his D partner Samuel Kupec for second in points on Team Slovakia in the U-18's with 2, but all of their points in the tournament came in a win against Norway, who aren't exactly a powerhouse opponent.

The first thing one notices about Licko is that his skating is average at best when travelling at top speed, with a start-up and acceleration that are deficient. He seems to have good balance and fairly good edges, as he can turn quickly. Despite the challenges he faces with his mobility he flashes some puck-rushing ability, demonstrating the ability to carry the puck up the ice and through transition on occasion, with his solid puck-control. He uses his reach to protect the puck efficiently, but I wouldn't say his handling is anything special. Though he doesn't score a lot of goals (only 9 in the last 2 seasons, including international play), he has a good shot with accuracy- his wrister is a laser with a quick release that he can fire off with very little room, and his one-timer is a bomb. He will shoot with the purpose of making plays and causing havok in the crease, and uses opposing skaters as screens with proficiency. If he gets close to the net, he has some 1-on-1 moves to challenge goalies, and he can roof it in tight. I wouldn't call him a playmaker exactly, but he's a precision-passer who makes mostly simple, risk-free passes, but teases the ability to connect on the more difficult ones, and shows some quality vision at times.

Licko was paired with stay-at-home defenseman Samuel Kupec at the U-18's and the duo proved to be a good shutdown pairing. Licko contributes soundly to the defensive side of the puck, and reads the play quite well in his own zone, with keen anticipation and smart positioning. He plays a physical game, throwing hits to separate man from puck, and will lay the lumber to opponents who get too close to his goaltender. He defends his net well, keeping his goalies' line of sight clear by moving players away from the crease, and competes hard down low- although he mistakenly put a puck in his own net in the game against Czechia. Against the rush, Licko uses his long reach and an active stick to kill plays in the neutral zone before the play ever gets to his blueline, and forces oncoming forecheckers to the outside with tight gap control. He is adept at intercepting passes and shutting down lanes, and will block shots. On breakouts, he can be pressured into making sloppy plays and committing mistakes, but he will often use the boards or the glass to clear the puck if he gets into trouble. He usually makes a good first-pass at short-range, but he can sometimes miss his mark in long-distance breakouts. The level of competition in Slovakia is inferior to that of other junior leagues, so his offensive game might be a mirage, but he can still develop into a quality stay-at-home defensive rearguard. If he gets drafted, he will have to wait until later rounds.