VOORHEES, N.J. — Jakub Voracek and Radko Gudas grew up in Czech Republic in separate towns about 30 minutes from each other.
Yet the 24-year-old defenseman and 25-year-old winger have known each other since they were kids, playing peewee hockey in Europe.
“He’s a gritty player and very tough to play against,” Voracek said. “Fans are gonna love him here. He’s a kind of player who is hard to play against.”
Early Monday morning, Gudas, who is currently inactive recovering from right-knee surgery, was traded to the Flyers as part of Tampa Bay's deal for Braydon Coburn (see story).
Gudas (6-4/204) is also a right-hand shot, something the Flyers always covet in defensemen. Luke Schenn is the only other right-handed shot on the blue line.
“He hits hard, he steps in, he fights,” said Voracek, who played in several international events with Gudas, including the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. “He’s strong as a bull. Other teams are afraid to play against him because when he hits, you’re gonna get hurt.
“I played with him in AAA back home and he was already tough. Played in junior. He wasn’t sure he’d make the NHL and when he did, I was very happy for him. He made it with his passion and style of play.”
NHL
The earliest Gudas could play would be May, if the Flyers get into the playoffs. But they are looking at next season here, for now.
Flyers coach Craig Berube knows about Gudas.
“Physical player who plays hard game out there,” Berube said. “I love how he takes the body. He looks like he has real good composure. It’s hard to really tell until you get a guy, but from what I’ve seen so far, I like a lot.”
When Gudas was a teenager, Voracek said, “he was already a tough player to play against.”
“When he started playing for Kladno, he was 10 or 11 years old,” Voracek said. “At that time, it was a long shot for all of us [to make it to the NHL].
“But he was a talented player. He’s a great kid who works his way to the NHL.”