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.