Flyers keeping close tabs on Matej Tomek despite little playing time at North Dakota

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TORONTO — Matej Tomek is hoping his two appearances at the recent World Junior Hockey Championships will help earn him more playing time at the University of North Dakota. 

To date, Tomek’s lone appearance in the Fighting Hawks’ net was an exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 team last January, where he came off the bench to play the final five minutes of UND’s 4-1 win. 

“I would hope coaches see me play here and perform, (it) would make a difference a little bit up there in North Dakota,” Tomek said. “When I get back, (hopefully) I will get the chance, from there I will just try to do my best.”

In two appearances with Slovakia at the world juniors, Tomek, the Flyers' third-round pick in 2015, posted a 3.50 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. 

Much of Tomek’s freshman year at UND was wiped out after he underwent surgery for a groin injury in the summer of 2015. 

Now in his sophomore season with the Fighting Hawks, the 6-foot-3, 183-pound puckstopper is growing impatient waiting for his opportunity. 

UND currently has four goaltenders on its roster. Junior Cam Johnson, who led UND to a national championship last season, is back for his third season, while Matt Hrynkiw and Ryan Anderson are also biding their time while waiting for an opportunity. 

“From a goaltending point, you just want to help the team out as much as you can,” Tomek said. “For a goalie, the only way (to help) pretty much is to be in the net and make the key saves in the key moments. 

“It's definitely not satisfying for any goalie to watch the games from the bench, but I'm still trying to be positive, a good teammate and help the team out.” 

The native of Bratislava, Slovakia, chose to attend UND following his lone season with the NAHL’s Topeka Roadrunners primarily because of current Flyers coach Dave Hakstol, who was behind the bench of the Fighting Hawks at the time.

“I feel like Coach Hakstol, back then with North Dakota, made the biggest difference,” Tomek said. “The program that they have there, it's an amazing facility to play in and I think Coach Hakstol was a big factor.” 

Off the ice, the 19-year-old declared his major in psychology in October hoping his work in the classroom could also help him on the ice. 

“It's really something that I didn't think I would be interested in, since I'm not a big reader,” Tomek said. “It was interesting to see that the only books that I could read were about sports psychology and goalie psychology as well. 

“I think it could help me on the ice, and it's a field I'm interested in off the ice as well.” 

Tomek is in constant communication with goaltending development coach Brady Robinson and Flyers goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh via text message, as the organization looks to make sure their prospect remains diligent despite not playing.

“It's just making sure my work habits are on point every day,” Tomek said of the message from the Flyers. “Come to the rink prepared to work my hardest every day and just be sharp because I don't know when I'll get the chance.” 

In his two appearances with Slovakia at the world juniors, Tomek faced 80 shots, including a 45-save performance in a 5-2 loss to the Americans in the preliminary round. 

Tomek credited UND’s coaching staff for keeping him prepared for his first game action in nearly a year. 

“I think our goalie coach, Karl Goehring, in North Dakota does a really great job keeping us focused and sharp during practices during the weeks so if anything happens out there, I can jump in and help the team out,” Tomek said. 

A fan of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, and his composure between the pipes, Tomek has aspirations of signing his first pro deal with the Flyers, but is fully aware of the process ahead of him.

“I feel like I need to start,” he said. “Where I am right now, I need to start, get my first game under my belt, become the No. 1 goalie at North Dakota and then play as best as I can.”

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