Habs fans are tossing online roses to Czech hopeful Jiri Sekac, the once-overlooked Czech forward who notched two goals in two preseason games while playing under 10 minutes per encounter.
Sekac scored from the circle against Boston and then duplicated the feat Friday, showing quick hands with his impressive reach on a wraparound.
One hockey discussion forum on Sekac started three weeks ago with observers expressing skepticism about the rookie, who was said to be have been hotly-sought by around a dozen teams due to his impressive performances in the KHL before being reeled in by Habs GM Marc Bergevin.
The same skeptics who were unsure if Sekac would even make the squad are now speculating that he could conceivably become a Calder Trophy candidate for best rookie.
One quipster, in traditional frothy online hyperbole ranked Sekac above God and Chuck Norris.
The youngster, has been nicknamed Forrest Gump by teammate Plekanec due to his tenacious efforts during the fitness beep test, has also impressed Twitter with his speed, size and vision. Here are some of the tweets about him over the last few days.
@renlavoietva played with the kid the past 2 years, absolutely for real! Best free agent out there @walsha
— Nathan Oystrick (@Oystie74) September 27, 2014
Jiri Sekac, I don't have anything really to say other then, WOW, best player on the ice tonight, definitely NHL ready. #Habs
— Christopher (@HabsTalk11) September 27, 2014
For those who stillwonder if Jiri Sekac is good, he scored another goal. Big acquisition by Marc Bergevin. #canadiens
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 27, 2014
'Unfortunately there are no more seats available on the Sekac hype train. We are sorry'
— Marc D (@Dr_Habs) September 27, 2014
Plekanec says Sekac's new nickname is Forrest Gump. "He doesn't stop running", he says, referring to his 14,5 score at the beep-test.
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) September 24, 2014
#Habson690 Jiri Sekac is fitting in well in Montreal he bought himself an expos cap
— Jessica Rusnak (@JessRusnak) September 27, 2014