MONTREAL– Slovakian-born skaters controlled early at the 2022 NHL draft, where left winger Juraj Slafkovsky went No. 1 general to the Montreal Canadiens as well as defenseman Simon Nemec was chosen at No. 2 by the New Jacket Devils on Thursday evening.
They came to be the highest-selected Slovakian gamers in background, surpassing Marian Gaborik, that went 3rd general in 2000.
Slafkovsky was the shock selection at No. 1 over Shane Wright, that glided completely to the Seattle Sea Serpent at No. 4. Wright, a Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) facility, had actually long been considered this draft’s leading possibility, however Slafkovsky’s excellent year boosted his supply sufficient to unseat Wright.
Slafkovsky claimed he was captured off-guard when Montreal basic supervisor Kent Hughes revealed his name.
” I felt they were quite interested,” he claimed. “When I listened to ‘from Slovakia’ I went, ‘Wow!'”
Logan Cooley of the united state nationwide group growth program (NTDP) mosted likely to the Arizona Coyotes with the No. 3 choice, as well as left wing Cutter Gauthier went 5th to the Philly Flyers to complete the leading 5.
At 18, Slafkovsky currently has the dimension (6-foot-4, 218 extra pounds) of a power onward to match his skill as an extremely competent offending gamer. He created his track record as an obstinate, affordable skater with TPS of the Finnish Organization; last period he created 5 objectives as well as 10 factors in 31 video games.
Unlike a few of his peers, Slafkovsky has experience having fun with as well as versus males globally. He was simply 17 when called to the Slovakian Olympic group in 2022 as well as stood out past assumptions. Slafkovsky led the Olympic area with 7 objectives in 7 video games to assist Slovakia take house bronze, the nation’s very first Olympic medal in ice hockey, as well as make event MVP honors.
New Jacket held the No. 2 choice as well as was not likely to choose a facility provided its deepness at the placement. The Devils went rather with Nemec, Slafkovsky’s Olympic colleague. Nemec is a sought after right-shot blueliner with offending benefit as well as forecasted NHL preparedness. He might promptly include deepness to a New Jacket backend seeking it.
” I shed words,” Nemec claimed of being the 2nd choice. “We were youngsters when we fantasize concerning NHL draft.”
The Arizona Coyotes had the possibility to grab Wright at No. 3, however chose a various facility in Cooley. Although he is smaller sized than Wright at 5-foot-10, Cooley plays a large two-way video game as well as has fantastic offending capacity, as he showcased in his 75-point efficiency via 51 video games with the NTDP last period.
When Seattle basic supervisor Ron Francis tipped to the platform at No. 4, he really did not be reluctant to call Wright as the group’s option. Wright began last period gradually with 22 factors in 19 video games prior to rallying to completed with 94 factors in 66 video games. He’s not a generational ability, however Wright can become a No. 1 facility, as well as for the development Sea serpent he supplies a franchise business keystone to develop about for many years ahead.
Wright claimed would certainly have fun with a chip on his shoulder as well as with “a bit a lot more fire” after 3 groups handed down him in the draft.
Gauthier, one more NTDP item, is a large body (6-foot-4) with a growing shot as well as strong protective benefit. His ability is much less vibrant than a few other leading leads, which fits one of the most discoloration, physical design the Flyers have fun with. It’s an all-natural fit.
Details from the Associated Press was made use of in this record.