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MONTREAL — Slovakian-born skaters dominated early at the 2022 NHL draft, where left winger Juraj Slafkovsky went No. 1 overall to the Montreal Canadiens and defenseman Simon Nemec was selected at No. 2 by the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
They became the highest-selected Slovakian players in history, surpassing Marian Gaborik, who went third overall in 2000.
Slafkovsky was the surprise choice at No. 1 over Shane Wright, who slid all the way to the Seattle Kraken at No. 4. Wright, a Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) center, had long been considered this draft’s top prospect, but Slafkovsky’s stellar year elevated his stock enough to unseat Wright.
Slafkovsky said he was caught off guard when Montreal general manager Kent Hughes announced his name.
“I felt they were pretty interested,” he said. “When I heard ‘from Slovakia’ I went, ‘Wow!'”
Logan Cooley of the U.S. national team development program (NTDP) went to the Arizona Coyotes with the No. 3 pick, and left wing Cutter Gauthier went fifth to the Philadelphia Flyers to round out the top five.
At 18, Slafkovsky already has the size (6-foot-4, 218 pounds) of a power forward to complement his finesse as a highly skilled offensive player. He developed his reputation as a hard-nosed, competitive skater with TPS of the Finnish League; last season he produced five goals and 10 points in 31 games.
Unlike some of his peers, Slafkovsky has experience playing with and against men internationally. He was just 17 when named to the Slovakian Olympic team in 2022 and excelled beyond expectations. Slafkovsky led the Olympic field with seven goals in seven games to help Slovakia take home bronze, the country’s first Olympic medal in ice hockey, and earn tournament MVP honors.
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Source : espn
