| Jakub Demek | HC Kosice | U18 Slovakia | L | F | 6’4″ | 196 | Edmonton Oil Kings | Kosice | 2003 | 2020-2021: C+ |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, July 2021: Jakub is a big lefty who competes on both sides of the puck. There are times when he loses his man in defensive zone coverage, but it’s usually because he’s working too hard and trying to do someone else’s job too. Offensively he keeps it simple and seems to understand that he’s best suited for a power forward game rather than trying to be a dangler, but he does have a nice first touch and can pull poor passes out of his feet pretty easily. To me he has a chance to not only be a draft pick, but to earn an NHL contract if he leaves Slovakia for the Western League to play for the Oil Kings. His body is suited for big boy hockey and it looks like his skating posture can carry another fifteen to twenty pounds so he’d be an ideal late round pick in my eyes, but he needs to get to the WHL.
Neutral Zone’s Ed Besinger, June 2021: Jakub is a long, strong center that stands at 6’4’’ and 196 pounds. He played this past season for the Slovakian U20 Team as well as HC Kosice in Slovakia. In addition he played six games at the U18s where he scored eight points (two goals). He is raw and a big body with long legs. He is still finding his footwork and agility. Has another gear and has a good top speed, however, it takes him a bit to get there. Will need to improve his lateral mobility and first-step quickness. He is rangy and stays on the right side of the puck. He moves the puck quickly and knows where he is going with the puck before it gets to him. He plays physical and competes hard in his own zone. Uses his body well and should be able to add strength and weight to his frame. He is tough to contain down low in the offensive zone and does a good job fighting through pressure and contact. Has average puck and stick skills. Makes some plays in tight with his hands but at this time relies on quick passes to teammates to create chances.
Drafted 2021, 1 #47 overall by Edmonton Oil Kings in the CHL Import Draft