Just hours after naming a brand new leadership group for the season, Kingston Frontenacs fans were rewarded with more good news worth being excited about. It was announced on Saturday evening that Martin Chromiak, a first-round pick of the Kingston Frontenacs in this year’s CHL Import Draft, had committed to the team. As such, he will join on Monday before the Frontenacs visit the 67’s on Thursday.
The Frontenacs selected Chromiak second overall in 2019, this coming after a dominant season playing in Slovakia at the U20 circuit. Chromiak is heading to play in North America for the first time in his career, the 17-year-old doing so after spending the season’s first half playing in Slovakia. The left-winger from Ilava, Slovakia played 32 games for HK Dukla Trencin, a team that currently plays in Slovakia’s top-flight men’s league, the Tipsport Liga. During his time playing at Slovakia’s highest level, Chromiak impressed with five goals and one assist, this totalling up to six points recorded as one of the younger players in the Russian-based league.
Chromiak will spend the second half of the season in the OHL which is a great opportunity for the youngster to get used to playing the North American game. Chromiak, standing tall at 6’0, is currently eligible for the NHL Entry Draft and spending some time in the OHL could help his case and get noticed by scouts. Chromiak will have lots of eyes on him to see how he adjusts from the game back home to the style of game played in North America.
Aside from what playing in Kingston will do for the growth of Martin Chromiak, the Slovakian forward can also do a lot for the Kingston Frontenacs that is beneficial. The Frontenacs are a young, rebuilding team with plenty of talent up and down their lineup. Chromiak will likely spend at least two seasons in the OHL before moving up to debut professionally as it will probably take time for the Russian to adjust.
However, Chromiak has plenty of experience playing against men which could be an advantage for the Frontenecas. Kingston currently sits in second last place in the OHL as they are currently in the midst of a rebuild midway through the 2019/20 season. As he brings both experience and leadership, a player like Martin Chromiak could be a big addition to the Frontenacs young locker room. His experience in the playoffs in Slovakia at the U20 circuit could also come in handy for the Frontenacs who will be looking to make a stronger push for the playoffs next season.
Martin Chromiak will be a player to watch over the remainder of the OHL season as he adjusts to hockey in North America and looks to get himself noticed by scouts. With the excitement and anticipation there, the 2020 NHL Entry Draft takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal.