Although the Austin Bruins forward lines have been recently decimated by injuries, one player is taking a hiatus from the B’s for a much different reason. Miha Zajc left last week to join his home county’s national under-20 junior team. He’ll represent Slovenia in the upcoming World Championships.
“It’s always honor to play for your national team and see the kids who you grew up playing hockey with,” said Zajc, who has tallied one goal and six assists in 22 games with the Bruins this season.
Slovenia will participate in the Division 1B U20 Tournament in Megreve, France from December 12th through the 18th. Other participating countries include Great Britain, Poland, Japan, and Ukraine – along with the host nation (France).
Zajc is a native of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he played his first three seasons of junior hockey. He came to the U.S. in 2014, suiting up 42 times with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL last season. Zajc finished the 2014-15 season with one goal and seven assists and has been with the Bruins ever since. He represented Slovenia in the U18 Tournament in 2013-14, in which he also served as captain of the team.
“I'm very fortune to get called to represent my country,” said Zajc. “It was always my dream.”
Zajc will be joined on the team by fellow NAHL’er Luka Maver (also from Ljubljana), who is in his 2nd season with the Topeka Roadrunners. Zajc will return to the Bruins after the Christmas break as Austin resumes play against the Coulee Region Chill on December 31st.
View Slovenia's full roster HERE
