Cougars sign Czech forward

The Prince George Cougars have signed Czech Republic forward Matej Toman to a standard Western Hockey League player agreement. The Cats selected him in the first round (fifth overall) in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on June 28.

“We’re excited to have Matej in the fold for this upcoming season, as we see him making an impact up front,” said Cougars general manager Mark Lamb in a Thursday media release.

“He’s skilled, skates well, has a great hockey IQ and competes.”

The 17-year-old Toman skated for his hometown team, HC Ceske Budejovice, last season. He played at the Under-18 and Under-20 levels and also for the men’s team in the Czech Third Division. With the Under-18 team, he put up 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 11 regular-season games. In the

He’s skilled, skates well, has a great hockey IQ and competes.

— Cougars GM Mark Lamb

playoffs, he added 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in seven outings and helped the club to the championship title.

As a member of the Under-20 team, Toman had eight goals and 14 points in 25 games. With the Ceske Budejovice men, he had two goals and one helper in 15 contests.

As well, Toman played for the Czech Republic at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and is currently representing his country at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton and Red Deer.