One to Watch – Petr Stepanek | 12th February 2022

One to Watch – Petr Stepanek

Name: Petr Stepanek

Date of Birth: 28/03/1990

Nationality: Czech

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 15st 4lbs

Position: Forward

Catches: Left

Tonight’s one to watch is Czech power forward Petr Stepanek, this will be his 3^rd stint with the Phantoms and his 4^th season with the team. In previous years with the Phantoms Stepanek has been a key player and I’m sure he will prove to be that once more in Peterborough for the remainder of this season.

As a junior Stepanek spent his entire time playing in his native Czech Republic playing for his hometown club, HC Zdar nad Sazavou. Stepanek made his senior debut for HC Zdar nad Sazavou as an 18 year-old when they were playing in the 3^rd tier of Czech hockey.

For the following seasons Stepanek’s time was split between playing in the 2^nd and 3^rd divisions of Czech hockey, a good standard that is far in excess of the NIHL that he now finds himself in. In the Czech 2^nd division he managed a respectable 37 points in 138 games which considering he was likely deployed in a checking role is a good return. When dropping down a league to the Czech 3^rd division Stepanek showed his scoring touch and returning an impressive 157 points in 126 games, 1.25 point per game.

During his season in the EPL playing for Peterborough, Stepanek was a solid forward and was more than able to hold his own in the scoring charts, during the year he scored 63 points in 53 games. When he returned to the Phantoms in the NIHL, Stepanek once more proved his worth as he returned 55 points in 38 games while playing in NIHL 1. When the NIHL National formed he was back in Peterborough again and had a superb year scoring 70 points in 26 games including 27 goals.

Midway through this season Stepanek left SKLH Zdar nad Sazavou who play in the Czech 3^rd division and joined up with the Phantoms who hope that his previous form will provide a much need boost to their offence. If his 3 games so far are anything to go by then this is most definitely going to be the case, he’s scored 7 points in just 3 games.