Devils select Pavel Zacha with 6th overall pick
Tap here to view theScore's NHL draft tracker, which includes the 2015 draft results, the latest transactions, and rumors.
The New Jersey Devils selected Pavel Zacha with the sixth pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
2014-15 Stats
| Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarnia Sting | 37 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 56 |
Overview
Pavel Zacha has the tools to become the first Czech-born top-10 pick since Jakub Voracek in 2007. He was coached by former NHLer Petr Nedved before joining the OHL's Sarnia Sting for his draft year, where he has grown more comfortable with the North American style of play.
Zacha: "I like to play like Ryan Getzlaf because he's a two-way player. He's strong, big and has a really good shot."
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) June 27, 2015
Zacha's booming, accurate shot is the best part of his game, but he's also a fast skater who moves his 6-foot-3 frame into scoring areas in a hurry. He uses his size to play a physical game as well, landing the kind of big hits that bring NHL fans to their feet.
The biggest drawback with Zacha is his immaturity. He was suspended twice during the OHL season because of his temper and sometimes seemed disengaged on the ice, but his combination of size and skill suggests he will excel as a professional if he learns to control his emotions.
What the scouts are saying
"Pavel Zacha is an offensively dynamic center with the size, speed, and skill to make a significant impact on the game. He can play physical, but is at his best when using his high-end offensive abilities, such as his shot, stickhandling, and footspeed, to generate numbers in the opposition's end of the ice." - Curtis Joe, EliteProspects
Highlight