Lukas Sedlak was training in a hometown gym during the summer of 2012 when Vinny Prospal approached and introduced himself.

For a youngster who grew up idolizing Jaromir Jagr and Prospal, it was like having a bedroom sports poster or Fathead wall decal come to life. Prospal spoke. Sedlak listened. Both were sons of Ceske Budejovice, in the Czech Republic. Each was property of the Blue Jackets.

Prospal was a veteran preparing for what would be his final NHL season. Sedlak was a wide-eyed prospect who had been drafted the year before in the sixth round.

“He struck me from the very beginning as a guy who knew what he wanted,” Prospal said. “He’s an individual who is self-driven, who has his head on straight and knows what it will take to get to the next level. It was really neat to find someone from my hometown playing for the same (organization).”

Prospal, 42, delights in tracking the progress of Sedlak, who like himself had a long minor-league apprenticeship before breaking into the NHL. The 23-year-old center, who celebrated his return to the lineup Sunday with a goal in a 4-1 win over New Jersey, is enjoying a solid rookie season while playing for Prospal’s favorite coach, John Tortorella.

The Czechs exchange the occasional phone call and text message. Sedlak values the input from someone who played 1,108 NHL games and registered 765 points.

“Whatever Vinny says, I try to do,” Sedlak said.

The center’s development has been one of several pleasant surprises for the playoff-bound Blue Jackets. Sedlak has seven goals and six assists in 56 games. He’s defensively dependable, strong along the wall and was developing into a top faceoff man before an oblique strain last month kept him out for 11 games.

“He’s not the most skilled or talented player, but he’s determined and hardworking,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “It’s not how pretty it looks, it’s if you get it done, and Lukas is a guy who gets it done.”

To watch Sedlak play now, it’s hard to imagine that a year ago he contemplated a return to the Czech Republic.

No player on the Blue Jackets’ current roster played more minor-league games (159) before making his NHL debut. Prospal similarly rode buses and stayed in cheap hotels for three seasons before getting his shot, with Philadelphia in 1996.

“Vinny had to prove himself, so that’s a little like me,” Sedlak said. “I was ready to give up and start a new chapter back home. Then, I told myself, ‘Hey, what would other guys give for this chance that I have?’ I started to focus on myself, nobody else. I started to play (more relaxed) the second half of last season and that’s when the points started to come.”

Prospal said he spoke to Sedlak several times while the rookie was rehabbing his injury. During his one-month absence, prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand delivered on his sharp-shooting potential and Sam Gagner rediscovered his game at center. The developments left Sedlak without his regular spot in the lineup when he returned.

“I told him when he gets back in there, he’s got to make his mark,” Prospal said.

Playing for an injured Alexander Wennberg on Sunday, Sedlak had a strong game and converted a penalty shot, which brought a congratulatory text from his mentor. What role Sedlak occupies down the stretch and into the playoffs remains unclear.

Prospal said he sends him short, direct text messages such as “you have to work your (butt) off” and “don’t be afraid to shoot on a 2-on-1 chance.” The former player burns every bit as hot as Sedlak’s current coach.

Tortorella was unaware of the Prospal-Sedlak bond until training camp. Prospal played five seasons under the Jackets’ coach in Tampa Bay. Coach and player have become close friends. Prospal has joined the coaching ranks, working as a Czech Republic assistant while also running youth hockey teams in Tampa that qualified for a national tournament over the weekend.

“Vinny understands me because he was with me for so many years and I think that helps a player (like Sedlak) who is just starting with me,” Tortorella explained. “Vinny was one of the hardest practice players. He practiced hard every day and it was so good to have him to teach some of the young players how to practice.”

Although he played just two seasons in Columbus, fans appreciated Prospal’s effort and passion and fondly recall the time four years ago when he pointed to the scoreboard to mock the Detroit Red Wings.

Prospal believes fans will grow to love Sedlak’s game, too.

“It tells you everything about the kid when he’s still doing everything 100 percent when the coaches aren’t watching,” Prospal said. “It means you drafted the right guy. Look, it took him some time to get through the minors, but he’s made it.”