Samuel Honzek was off to a great start with the Vancouver Giants during his NHL draft season when disaster struck at the World Juniors.
The Slovak winger had his left calf sliced by a skate when American Charlie Stramel knocked him to the ice and then accidentally stepped on his leg in a game on Dec. 28.
"It was upsetting, and I was sad," Honzek said. "I missed World Juniors and the Top Prospects Game. The [CHL/NHL] Top Prospects Game happens once in your life, and World Juniors maybe a couple times. After the injury, I was thinking lots about the draft and what may change."