With their first-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Hurricanes went international, selecting Czech forward Martin Necas 12th overall.
Necas, 18, wrapped up his first pro experience last season, logging 41 games Brno Kometa in his home country’s top league. The center put up 15 points along the way while playing beside players nearly 10 years his elder, and was called “one of the quicker skaters available this year” and “a very good playmaker” by ESPN’s Corey Pronman.
As a European-born skater playing overseas, Necas would be eligible to play begin the season with the Checkers next season should he not make the Hurricanes out of training camp.
This marks the second year in a row in which Carolina used a first-round pick on a forward, following Julien Gauthier at number 21 last summer. Other than that, three of the team’s last four first-round selections have been defensemen.
The Hurricanes currently have seven picks coming over the remaining six rounds of the draft, all of which will take place tomorrow. Check back tomorrow for coverage on those selections.
