The North Bay Battalion Fan Club is hoping to give Stan Butler and the Battalion hockey management a shot in the arm.
Nicholas Forsyth, the North Bay Battalion Fan Club President, has created an online petition for fans to sign in hopes of convincing Battalion CHL Import pick Filip Chytil to play in North America with the Battalion this fall.
Here's what the petition says:
"The North Bay Battalion selected New York Rangers first round pick Filip Chytil with the seventh pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. Chytil is from the Czech republic and has the opportunity to play professionally in his home country before coming to North America. As Battalion fans, we want to help Stan Butler convince the star who has been compared to Auston Matthews by Czech media, that he should come and play in North America this year with the North Bay Battalion. Please comment with your name below to support this petition to help convince this young man."
After missing out on the playoffs last season the Battalion had the seventh overall choice in the annual CHL Import Draft which took place three days after the NHL Entry Draft.
Chytil was one of 21 players younger than 18 years old who played in the Czech Extraliga in 2016-17, and he ranked second among players younger than 18 years old in the league in games played, goals, and points during the season.
Chytil, who won’t be 18 until September, has been described by Czech hockey writers as a player who plays the game like Auston Matthews.
At the NHL Draft the young Czech star compared his game to that of Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk.
Stan Butler, the Battalion Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations has candidly stated there are no guarantees that Chytil will play for the Battalion as he already has an opportunity to play pro in the Czech Extraliga next season.
To sign the petition to help convince Chytil to come to North Bay click HERE
