It’s been a whirlwind few months for Adam Novotný.
The Vancouver Canucks selected Novotný 24th overall in June, adding another major milestone to what has already been an impressive start to his North American career.
Now, he’s back in Peterborough briefly before heading west once again, this time for Vancouver’s rookie showcase and training camp.
“It feels unbelievable,” Novotný said of returning to the Memorial Centre. “It felt like I never left for the summer.”
That familiarity could be important for a player looking to take another step forward after a strong first season in Peterborough.
Novotný finished last season second on the Petes in both goals and points, scoring 34 goals and adding 31 assists for 65 points in 58 games. Only Kieran Walton, who had 40 goals and 88 points, finished ahead of him in both categories.
But despite the offensive numbers, Novotný isn’t satisfied.
After spending time at Vancouver’s development camp this summer, one of Novotný’s priorities is becoming more composed when he gets his chances.
“Obviously finishing a little bit more, be a little bit more calm in finishing maybe.”
That’s part of a bigger goal for Novotný, who wants to continue developing every aspect of his game.
“I just wanted to work on everything basically to just get better as an overall player.”
His summer experience in Vancouver also gave him a taste of what it takes to reach the next level. Being around NHL coaches, Novotný said, reinforced the importance of professionalism and provided lessons he can bring back to Peterborough.
Now, there’s another opportunity waiting for him in Vancouver.
For the rookie showcase, Novotný said he’s looking forward to getting back on the ice and competing for an opportunity.
“I’m just trying to get prepared for that now,” he said. “It’s super exciting to get there and do my best and fight for a spot.
A first-round selection was one highlight of Novotný’s summer. Now he gets another chance to show Vancouver what he can do.
