Key Strengths of the Squad
Jeglic and Urbas were key players and fan favorites in Bremerhaven until recently. However, they are now 38 and 37 respectively, and Urbas has also sustained several head hits in recent years.
If they can still play dominant roles, it will be a noticeable upgrade in the domestic player sector. It would, of course, also help if Luka Gomboc – who was constantly injured at KAC – could play a significant role in the squad.
Bine Masic (recovered) and especially Marcel Mahkovec are top domestic players, not only for Ljubljana but also in a league comparison.
Mahkovec, especially, is fast and dangerous in front of goal, improving season after season, and like Urbas, Jeglic, or Miha Verlic, could find success in a better league.
The defense remained unchanged from the previous season – former Dornbirn player Reid McNeill, who arrived at the deadline, proved to be a good reinforcement.
T. J. Brennan (37) proved indestructible in the regular season and was therefore named league MVP. In the playoffs, he ran out of gas. But Olimpija's defense looks strong on paper – coach Ben Cooper has at least eight league-proven defenders.
Squad Question Marks
As with KAC, the high number of veterans in the squad stands out – Jeglic, Urbas, Brennan, Blaz Gregorc (36), Zach Boychuk (36), and Ziga Pance are all 35+, plus seven other players over 30. Will that hold up throughout the entire season?
In the import player positions, there are only two new names: Josh Lawrence and Chris Douglas. Lawrence should have everything it takes to become one of the league's top speedsters.
Douglas has five U-Sports seasons under his belt and, like all players from that league, is naturally somewhat of a wild card. The two should, however, score, as Boychuk also seemed a bit aged.
Pairs like Jeglic-Urbas, Boychuk-Nikolai Meyer, and Lawrence/Douglas could, if successful, distribute scoring across three lines.
Goaltender Lukas Horak was out from the middle of last season but reported fit for the World Championships. His extremely intense style – combined with a lot of complaining after conceding goals – could become a problem with age.
New backup Zan Us presented himself at the World Championships as he's known from his last ICE stint – always ready for bizarre goals against. He should probably not be expected to step in for an extended period.
Potential for Reinforcements Here
One import player spot is still open, which can be filled in any position as needed.
Perhaps this time, however, in a younger segment than last season with Andrew MacWilliam and Dustin Tokarski, both of whom seemed quite rusty...
Outlook
Ljubljana is much deeper in both defense and offense than the majority of their league rivals.
Added to this are coach Ben Cooper, who also delivered good work last season, and financier Alexandre Lefebvre, whose involvement has put financial difficulties in the past.
It would not be surprising if Olimpija comfortably settles into the top-6 and continues to climb higher...
