The NHL draft is where dreams are made for young hockey players. That was certainly the case for Czech center Martin Necas at United Center in Chicago Friday night. The Carolina Hurricanes grabbed the skilled pivot with their first-round pick, the 12th-overall selection in this year’s opening stanza.
“It’s one of the best moments in my life,” Necas said. “I’m really glad to be here and be in a great organization like Carolina.”
Playing for HC Kometa Brno of the Czech men’s league last year, Necas put up seven goals and 15 points in 41 games, adding four goals in ten playoff games. Mike Johnston of Sportsnet described the fifth-ranked European player by Central Scouting as “displaying a keen hockey sense and patience beyond his years,” along with “soft hands and excellent vision,” a sentiment Necas agrees with.
“I think I’m a typical playmaker,” Necas said. “I like to play a two-way game. I think I’m a very good skater. I need work on my strength and to get stronger.”
Canes’ management agrees as well, and is very happy with the player they got.
“We think we got a big, skilled centerman,” general manager Ron Francis said. “He can skate; he can make plays. He plays with a little bit of an edge. I think for us, we’re really excited to get him. We had him higher on our list and we think as he develops he’ll be a real good piece for our organization going forward.”
Necas does have a point about getting stronger, at 6-foot tall and only 167 pounds, he’s got some filling out to do. At 18 years of age, however, he will have plenty of time to both develop and put on some muscle. He doesn’t want it to take too long, however. Hearing Francis call his name Friday night was just the first step towards reaching his NHL dream. He wants to find himself skating in the big leagues sooner than later.
“The NHL, when I was young, and right now, is my dream,” Necas said. “Now I am drafted, and I need to work hard every day. I want to be in the NHL. Next year, I will do everything. I will prepare and I hope I can be in the NHL after one year.”
Necas had an inkling of Carolina’s interest before the draft, but could not be sure with so many possibilities going into Friday night. He was happy to don the sightless eye on the stage at United Center.
“I had a very good interview with them,” Necas said. “But, it’s a little bit of a lottery for players. You don’t know which team will pick you, but I’m really glad for it to be Carolina.”
There was speculation entering the draft that the Canes might trade the pick for immediate NHL help as a flurry of deals went down around the league earlier in the day, but none of the offers out there were to Francis’ liking.
“We’ve been in trade talks with all our picks,” Francis said. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to look at the value of what you’re getting versus what you’re able to take. For where we are and what we’re building, there wasn’t anything we felt we were comfortable giving up pick number twelve for prior to making the selection.”
The draft will continue Saturday morning with rounds two through seven. The Canes still hold seven additional picks.
