The Montreal Canadiens surprised fans at the Bell Center by selecting Juraj Slafkovsky with the first pick in the NHL Entry Draft.
The 18-year-old Slovakian took the stage with a big smile after being called out by his name in front of family, friends and fans on Tuesday night.
The top-ranked American winger and figure skater by NHL Central Scouting starred for his country at both the Beijing Olympics and world championships.
* SEE FULL DRAFT BELOW.
Montreal was the first team to host the draft and pick first since the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Wendel Clark at No. 1 in 1985.
Habs general manager Kent Hughes said management decided on his selection Wednesday morning after meeting the 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger and being impressed with his personality and charisma.
“He has a very dynamic personality,” Hughes said. “We asked him when was the best time in hockey and he said, ‘when we’re winning by one goal or losing by one goal.'”
The Canadians drafted another Slovakian with the 26th pick in the first round in Filip Mesar. The right winger is 5’10” and weighs 175 pounds.
HABS TRADE ROMANOV
The Canadiens acquired the 13th overall pick from the New York Islanders for defenseman Alexander Romanov and the 98th pick, then bagged the 13th pick with the first pick of the third round (66th overall) and sent them to Chicago for Kirby Dach Center.
Dach, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, had nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games in 2021-22.
He showed promise over a small sample size last season with two goals and eight assists in 18 games.
The Blackhawks are in the process of dismantling their roster in order to rebuild it.
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) and Chicago Blackhawks center Kirby Dach (77) look at the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, April 12. of 2022 in Chicago. The Kings won 5-2. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
The night began with fans at the Bell Center booing NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was hosting the draft for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
A special tribute to Quebecers Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur followed Bettman’s presentation.
The last time the Habs picked number one was in 1980 when they drafted Doug Wickenheiser.
FIRST ROUND DRAFT ORDER:
- Montreal Canadians – Juraj Slafkovsky
- New Jersey Devils – Simon Nemec
- Arizona Coyotes – Logan Cooley
- The Seattle Kraken – Shane Wright
- Philadelphia Flyers – Gauthier Cutter
- Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks) – David Jiricek
- Chicago Blackhawks – Kevin Korchinski
- Detroit Red Wings – Marco Kasper
- Buffalo Sabers – Matthew Savoie
- Anaheim Ducks – Pavel Mintyukov
- Arizona Coyotes – Conor Geekie
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Denton Mateychuk
- Chicago Blackhawks – Frank Nazar
- Winnipeg Planes – Rutger Mcgroarty
- Vancouver Canucks-Jonathan Lekkerimaki
- Buffalo Sabers (from Vegas Golden Knights) – Noah Ostlund
- Nashville Predators – Joakim Kemell
- Dallas Stars – Lian Bichsel
- Minnesota Wild (of Los Angeles Kings) – Liam Ohgren
- Washington Capitals – Ivan Miroshnichenko
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Owen Pickering
- Anaheim Ducks – Nathan Gaucher
- St. Louis Blues – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Wild Minnesota – Danila Yurov
- Chicago Blackhawks – Sam Rinzel
- Montreal Canadians – Filip Mesar
- San Jose Sharks – Filip Bystedt
- Buffalo Sabers – Jiri Kulich
- Arizona Coyotes – Maveric Lamoureaux
- Winnipeg Jets – Brad Lambert
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Isaac Howard
- Edmonton Oilers – Reid Schaefer
QUEBECERS TO WATCH IN THE FIRST ROUND
- Nathan Gaucher, center, Chambly – Drafted by the Ducks at 22
- Maveric Lamoureux, defenseman, Laval – Drafted by Coyotes at 29
- Tristan Luneau, defenseman, Victoriaville
- Noah Warran, defender, Montreal
The second round starts on Friday at 11 am
The Canadians’ remaining selections are as follows:
- Round 2, Selection No. 33
- Round 2, Pick No. 62
- Round 3, Pick No. 75
- Round 3, Pick No. 92
- Round 4, Pick No. 127
- Round 4, Pick No. 128
- Round 5, Pick No. 130
- Round 6, Pick No. 162
- Round 7, Pick No. 194
- Round 7, Pick No. 216
With archives from The Canadian Press