Canadiens select Juraj Slafkovsky No. 1 overall in NHL draft

Juraj Slafkovsky after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Canadiens select Slovakian Juraj Slafkovsky No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Entry Draft

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/7/22

The Montreal Canadiens selected left-wing Juraj Slafkovsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on Thursday night.

L'Élu! Les Canadiens ont choisi l'ailier gauche Juraj Slafkovsky du TPS de la Liiga comme premier choix au total du #RepêchageLNH 2022.

He's the 1️⃣! The Canadiens have selected left winger Juraj Slafkovsky from TPS in the Liiga first overall at the 2022 #NHLDraft.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/O9Soeptmgo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 7, 2022

The 18-year-old Slafkovsky becomes the first Slovakian to be drafted No. 1 overall. He's only the second Slovakian drafted within the top five picks, joining Marian Gaborik, who was who the Minnesota Wild selected No. 3 overall in 2000.

Predicted to go No. 2 overall behind Shane Wright, the selection of Slafkovsky came as a surprise to many.

A bit of a shocker at No. 1. Montreal doesn’t take Shane Wright, opting for Juraj Slafkovsky. Quite the mixed reaction in here. pic.twitter.com/Neg8peBVFd
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) July 7, 2022

Slafkovsky played the 2021-22 season for TPS Turku of SM-Liiga. He posted 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 31 regular-season games. In the postseason, he scored two goals and added five assists in 18 games.

In February, Slafkovsky represented Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. He posted seven goals in seven games, helping Slovakia win the bronze medal.

"I would say I'm strong on the puck in the offensive zone," Slafkovsky told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale. "I use my size a lot. I can create some niche chances for my teammates. Those are the things people can see when I play."

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