Arguably the New York Rangers’ most impressive player through training camp and the preseason so far has been Filip Chytil.
It’s been a tough road for Chytil as he’s already suffered at least four concussions through his short NHL career and missed almost the entirety of last season.
Chytil is back with no limitations though and he’s been proving that he can be a lethal player if he can stay healthy.
Through practices, the 25-year-old forward has been a monster as he is dominating offensively and is playing unafraid despite his injury riddled history.
His hard work has translated to the statsheet. Chytil has played all three preseason games, where he’s recorded two goals.
Chytil is just happy to be back on the ice.
“I can’t even say because of how good of a feeling it is,” Chytil said. “I missed a lot of time last year and it’s so nice to be there playing, enjoying every shift. That’s everything I’m happy about and coming into the morning with a smile on my face, working hard, doing extra and be a better player every day.”
Playing in the NHL is a rare honor that the vast majority of people in the world will never experience.
Through his long and difficult journey over the past few years, Chytil has come to cherish playing the sport that he truly loves.
“I just realized I can’t take it for granted that I’m playing every day and coming to the rink doing what I love,” Chytil said. “Last year was tough for me that I couldn’t do that. Even when I was coming to the rink, I wasn’t enjoying it at all because I couldn’t be out there with the team enjoying what I love. When you lose something you have passion for, it’s very hard, so I don’t take it for granted.”
When he is on the ice, everybody in the Rangers organization knows what he is capable of and what sort of presence he provides.
It’s just a matter of staying healthy and that’s Chytil’s primary goal heading into the season.
“Just be healthy, that’s my only goal and when I’m healthy, I know what I can do out there,” Chytil said.
