Jan Myšák: ‘If I Would Be GM I Would Take Slafkovsky Too’

Montreal Canadiens prospect and Czechia captain Jan Myšák is already shining in the second phase of the 2022 World Junior Championships in Red Deer and Edmonton, Alberta.

Myšák had a goal and an assist in a 5-4 win for the Czechs over Slovakia on Tuesday in the first game of the continuation of the 2022 World Junior Championships that were postponed back in December due to a COVID outbreak amongst all the teams participating. While Myšák definitely stood out on the ice Tuesday, his comments regarding the Montreal Canadiens drafting Juraj Slafkovsky – instead of Shane Wright – first overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal last month, stood out as well.

Slafkovsky wasn’t opposing Myšák on Tuesday because isn’t playing at the continuation of the 2022 World Juniors, but Myšák had high praise for the player the Montreal Canadiens chose over Shane Wright.

“For me, I see Juraj Slafkovsky as a really strong player,” Myšák said when asked what he thought of the Montreal Canadiens drafting him instead of Wright.

Myšák saw a lot of Wright in the OHL with Wright starring for the Kingston Frontenacs.

“I played whole year against Shane Wright so for me personally, if I would be GM I would take Slafkovsky too,” the Czech prospect said.

"If I'd be the GM, I'd take Slafkovský too."#GoHabsGo prospect Jan Mysak gives his opinion on Montreal's first overall selection at the 2022 NHL Draft 👀#NHL #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8h2LX9yXy4

— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 10, 2022

The 2020 second round pick, that the Montreal Canadiens took 48th overall, assisted on a Michal Gut goal that tied the game at two mid-way through the second period.

After a nice move from Jan Mysak, Michal Gut is able to bang it home!

We're all tied up 2-2 in the 2nd period. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/YzeZ42PGYq

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 9, 2022

Jan Myšák then made it 4-2 Czechia early in the third period.

The @narodnitym Captain has entered the build. Czechia up 4-2 over @HockeySlovakia #WorldJuniors #CZESVK pic.twitter.com/jt10PvfWK0

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 9, 2022

Slovakia would come back to tie the game at four before Czechia centre Gabriel Szturc scored the game-winner late in the final frame. Myšák finished the game with a goal, an assist, and a whopping 12 shots. Following the game, the 20-year-old centre, who had 34 goals and 30 assists in 61 regular season games and four goals and seven assists in 17 playoff games for the OHL Champions, Hamilton Bulldogs, this past season was happy with the result.

“We’re happy we have a win. That’s all we want. That’s all we’re focused on. And we have it, so it’s a perfect start,” said the former second-round pick, told Andrew Podnieks of IIHF.com. “The key thing for us is just to skate. When we have good movement, we have opportunities, right? So we just try to skate and shoot every single puck and have guys around the net to score goals.”