The Carolina Hurricanes used the 12th overall pick of the 2017 NHL entry draft on Friday to take forward Martin Necas of the Czech Republic.
Necas, listed at 6-1 and 178 pounds, competed for the Czech Republic in the 2017 World Junior Championship. He served as captain for the Czech Republic team in the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, leading his team to a gold medal.
Necas, who NHL scouts consider a smart, two-way center with good speed, played for Kometa Brno in the Czech League during the 2016-17 season. He was rated fifth among European skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings.
"It's one of the best moments of my life," Necas said after being drafted. "When I was younger, the NHL is my dream. Right now I am drafted and I need to work hard every day. I hope I can be in the NHL after one year."
Necas, 18, had seven goals and eight assists in 41 games last season playing against the men in the Czech League.
"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 to work on my strength. I need to be stronger."
