Thrashers prospects strides away from making squad

“When I was first here, I was a younger guy and looked up to the older guys that were here,” Holzapfel said. “Some of them have gone on to the Atlanta Thrashers. Now that I’m one of the older guys — I don’t think I’m that old yet, I’m still 20 — I have probably the most experience at the summer camp and now I’m one of the older guys that the younger guys look up to.”

Machacek had a dose of the NHL life last season . . . for three days.

The forward was called up from the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago, appearing in two games in March. For the rest of the season, his first as a pro after three junior seasons in the Western Hockey League, he had 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists) in 77 games.

“I wasn’t up there very long,” said Machacek, a third-round draft pick in 2007. “The level was higher. The guys are stronger and faster. The NHL was that much better. It was nice to see the speed.”

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell expects Machacek to return.

“I fully expect him to play games for us this year,” Waddell said. “He’s an outstanding kid. I can’t say enough good things about this kid.”

That doesn’t mean Machacek has made it. He knows that.

“Every year you want to think positive,” he said. “You can’t think about [earning a roster spot] because you’ll get off your game. You just have to go into camp and do what you do well. Do what you do best and don’t try to change your game.”

Holzapfel has only heard stories of life in the NHL. Machacek, his Chicago teammate and roommate, has filled him in. He’s also heard from those older players he played with when he was a camp youngster — players like Nathan Oystrick, Brett Sterling and Boris Valabik.

Last season was also Holzapfel’s first pro season, after four years in the WHL. The forward had 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 73 games for the Wolves.

“Once September [training camp] comes, I just have to work hard and every chance I get, I have to prove myself and open some eyes on the coaching staff and hopefully stick here,” said Holzapfel, a second-round selection in 2006.

Waddell also described Holzapfel as close.

“He started off a little slow down [in Chicago] as a rookie but really picked up,” he said. “He’s a leader, potential captain material. We have very, very high hopes for him. He’ll compete for a job here, probably start the year in Chicago.”

That doesn’t mean Holzapfel hasn’t made it. He knows that too.

“If I come in and have a really good camp and play to the best of my abilities, they will make room for me on the team,” he said. “If not, I’ll have to go back to Chicago and work twice as hard to get back here.”