If you want to catch one last glimpse of Jakub Voracek in Halifax, you can — and the good news is, it’s free.
The Halifax Mooseheads’ star right-winger is planning to hit the ice tonight and tomorrow night for 5-on-5 intra-squad games as the team’s training camp opens at Cole Harbour Place.
The bad news is, that’s probably it. Voracek isn’t playing in any QMJHL exhibition games and leaves Monday to join the Columbus Blue Jackets. Odds are he won’t be back, as a summer of hard work should earn him an NHL job.
The 6-foot-2 native of Kladno, Czech Republic, built up 11 pounds of muscle and now checks in at 209 pounds.
“I can feel it when I do the weights — I can lift bigger weights, two times bigger than I lifted here last year,” said Voracek, who lived in Ohio and trained five days a week with other Blue Jackets prospects. “I feel great, all my body feels great, and I’m excited to go on the ice for the scrimmages.”
Voracek, 19, has to make the Blue Jackets or he will be returned to the Mooseheads. He can’t play in the minors.
Voracek said the Blue Jackets’ brass has told him he has “a pretty good chance” of making the team. But they also told him playing in the QMJHL pre-season was out of the question.
“They’re scared I’ll get injured like Derick Brassard two years ago,” Voracek said. “I have to accept it.”
Intra-squad games start each night at 7 p.m. Admission is free, although the Mooseheads are collecting donations.
• The Mooseheads acquired 18-year-old defenceman Scott McDonald of Waverley from the Saint John Sea Dogs yesterday, sending an eighth-round pick in 2010 in return.
McDonald, who played just 21 games as a rookie last season, was buried on Saint John’s depth chart. Halifax, a much younger team, gives him a chance to earn more ice time. Management likes his mobility and puck-moving ability.
“I’m hoping to get into the top six and hopefully higher than that throughout the season,” the 5-foot-11 McDonald said. “I didn’t want to go back to Saint John and be the No. 7 defenceman again, so I’m really happy for the opportunity here.”
• Mooseheads forward Tomas Knotek didn’t get drafted in June, but he’ll still get a taste of the NHL next month courtesy of the Minnesota Wild. Knotek, who had 66 points as a rookie last season, will suit up for the Wild at a prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., starting Sept. 13.
• American blue-liner Joe Dillon informed the Mooseheads yesterday he is not reporting to camp.
