Dzierkals may be the biggest mystery box the Leafs drafted — only ISS had him ranked (91st) among the major media scouting services, and he only just now got a hockeydb profile after the Leafs picked him. He’s been described as an undersized but competitive kid with intriguing skills and upside.
“High compete, good skills. Needs, of course, to get stronger. We hope he can be one of those sleepers in the draft that we believe people have not seen as much. We believe there’s some real good upside with this young man.”
– Mark HunterDzierkals played last season in the top Russian junior league, the MHL, where he posted 28 points in 32 games.