The Montreal Canadiens shocked fans at the Bell Center by selecting Juraj Slafkowski with the first pick in the NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old Slovakian took to the stage with a big smile after his name was called in front of family, friends and fans on Tuesday night.
The winger and NHL Central Scouting’s top-ranked North American skater represented his country at both the Beijing Olympics and the world championships. The pick was a surprise to many who thought the Habs would go with OHL star Shane Wright, who was picked fourth overall by the Seattle Kraken.
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Montreal was the first team to both host the draft and pick first since the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Wendell Clark No. 1 in 1985.
Habs general manager Kent Hughes said management made its decision Wednesday morning after meeting the 6’4″, 220-pound wing and being impressed by his personality and charisma.
“He has a very dynamic personality,” Hughes said. “We asked him when is the best moment in hockey and he said ‘when we win by a goal or lose by a goal.’
He said it was important to select a player who could stick in the Montreal market.
“I think we saw the reaction that you get here, so we wanted to make sure that he was prepared to handle it and that we felt comfortable that he would do what it took to be the best player that he could be.” be.”
The Canadiens selected another Slovak with the 26th pick in the first round in Filip Messar. The right wing is 5’10” and weighs 175 pounds.
HABS TRADE ROMANOV
The Canadiens took the 13th pick from the New York Islanders for defenseman Alexander Romanov and the 98th pick, then packaged the 13th pick with the first pick of the third round (66th overall) and sent them to Chicago for center Kirby Dach.
Dah, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, had nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games in 2021-22.
He showed promise in a small sample size the previous season with two goals and eight assists in 18 games.
The Blackhawks are in the process of dismantling their rebuilding roster.
Hughes said he was motivated by a desire to get “bigger and faster in the middle of the ice.”
“Obviously, combined with our relationship with Juraj, one of the things we set out to do was to get bigger and faster. I think we did. Ideally, we would have traded picks and moved up to be able to make that play.. Unfortunately, that wasn’t in the plans.”
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) and Chicago Blackhawks center Kirby Dach (77) watch the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Chicago. The Kings won 5-2. (AP Photo/Paul Beatty)
The night began with fans at the Bell Center booing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who hosted the draft for the first time in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A special tribute to Quebecers Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur followed Bettman’s introduction.
The last time the Habs had the number one pick was in 1980 when they selected Doug Wickenheiser.
PROJECT ORDER FOR ROUND ONE:
- Montreal Canadiens – Juraj Slafkowski
- New Jersey Devils – Simon Nemec
- Arizona Coyotes – Logan Cooley
- Seattle Kraken – Shane Wright
- Philadelphia Flyers – Cutter Gauthier
- Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks) – David Jirichek
- Chicago Blackhawks – Kevin Korczynski
- Detroit Red Wings – Marco Kasper
- Buffalo Sabers – Matthew Savoy
- Anaheim Ducks – Pavel Mintyukov
- Arizona Coyotes – Connor Geekey
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Denton Matejchuk
- Chicago Blackhawks – Frank Nazar
- Winnipeg Jets – Rutger McGroarty
- Vancouver Canucks – Jonathan Lekerimaki
- Buffalo Sabers (from Vegas Golden Knights) – Noah Ostlund
- Nashville Predators – Joachim Kemmel
- Dallas Stars – Leanne Beachsell
- Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles Kings) – Liam Ogren
- Washington Capitals – Ivan Miroshnichenko
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Owen Pickering
- Anaheim Ducks – Nathan Gaucher
- St. Louis Blues – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Minnesota Wild – Danila Yurov
- Chicago Blackhawks – Sam Rinzel
- Montreal Canadiens – Philippe Messard
- San Jose Sharks – Philip Bistead
- Buffalo Sabers – Jiri Kulic
- Arizona Coyotes – Maverick Lamoureux
- Winnipeg Jets – Brad Lambert
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Isaac Howard
- Edmonton Oilers – Reed Shafer
QUEBECERS TO WATCH IN ROUND ONE
- Nathan Gauchet, center, Chambly – Drafted by Ducks at 22
- Maverick Lamoureux, defense, Laval – Drafted by Coyotes at 29
- Tristan Luno, defense, Victoriaville
- Noah Warren, defense, Montreal
Second round starts on Friday at 11am
The Canadiens’ remaining picks are as follows:
- Round 2, pick #33
- Round 2, pick #62
- Round 3, Pick #75
- Round 3, Pick #92
- Round 4, pick #127
- Round 4, pick #128
- Round 5, pick #130
- Round 6, pick #162
- Round 7, pick #194
- Round 7, pick #216
With files from The Canadian Press
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