Holos has no team: Comeback to Denver?
Norwegian defenseman is searching for a new employer.Colorado Avalanche picked Norwegian player Jonas Holos of the 170th place at NHL Entry Draft in 2008. This player is only 27 years old, but has had tremendous experience at the international level. He is the best Norwegian defenseman who is used to play over 30 minutes per game. He appeared only in 39 games for the Avalanche in 2010/11.
Finally, Holos and the Avs had a mutual agreement and the team allowed him to comeback to Europe just after one year overseas – he left in spite of his contract was still valid for one more year. The following years he continued in his career in Swedish league and KHL. He just ended two-year experience in KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. According to reports, teams another teams from KHL, Swedish and Swiss leagues have interest in his service. „I could decide about a new contract during the World Championship, but I would rather to don't think about it now. It is stressful, but I will certainly find a place to play. For now, I don't know where. My priority is to stay in KHL, it is great league. If it didn't happen, I could imagine it in Sweden or Switzerland,“ said Holos.
Holos didn't play average hockey in Colorado. Unfortunately, he got a chance during an era of Joe Sacco. Maybe it was also his mistake to leave North America for Europe just after one year try. He is one of the best international defenseman who isn't playing on the NHL. Colorado has still keep rights on him so it depends on the Avalanche if they want to give him next chance. It may happen, as the team is going to little rebuild its defensive system.
Holos representes Team Norway on this year World Championship again. He appeared in three games so far. Firstly, he got one assist while his team lost to Russia 2:6; in the second game Norway lost to USA 1:2 and Holos played over 30 minutes; finally, the team lost again, now to Finland 0:5 and Holos got three minus points. He believed in himself and the national team before the start of the tournament. „I didn't play good during pre-tournament games, but I used to play better during the Championship. We are going to start against strong teams, but it is maybe good to have this kind of slap to the face at the start,“ said.
Holos hasn't missed WCH since 2006 and played at the Olympics one year ago. He helped to his national team to clinch quarterfinals in 2011 and one year later he got a record number of points – nine in just eight games. He served as an alternate captain last year.
Sources: vg.no, hockeysverige.se
David Puchovsky, Slovakia, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
05/05/2015 - 16:00
