Nico Myatovic thought he might become the property of the Anaheim Ducks and Tanner Molendyk was not surprised he became part of the Nashville Predators organization.
Myatovic of Prince George and Molendyk from nearby McBride were both selected ahead of their Central Scouting North American rankings in last month’s NHL Draft in Nashville.
The 18-year-old Molendyk, a defenceman with the Saskatoon Blades, heard his name called on the first day, June 28th in the first round, 24th overall by the Predators.
He was the first blueliner selected by Nashville in the opening round in seven years.
Nine picks later, Myatovic had a thrill of a lifetime when after a bit of an anxious sleep, was taken first on day two, June 29th, 33rd overall by the Ducks.
In Central Scouting’s final rankings prior to the 2023 Draft, Myatovic was listed 26th and Molendyk 28th among North American skaters.
Molendyk was the 14th North American skater selected and Myatovic the 19th.
The scouts were impressed with the improvement of both players.
The mid-season Central Scouting North American rankings had Molendyk 36th and Myatovic 47th.
The 18-year-old Myatovic (he turns 19 on December 1st), a forward with the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, travelled with his parents to Nashville to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“My agent was inching towards me being gone pretty early in day two,” he explained to mypgnow.com. “I didn’t know what team it was going to be, but being the very first pick [on the second day] was very exciting.”
Myatovic added he had discussions with the Ducks’ regional scout, and other members of the team at the scouting combine and had a hunch they were a team that was interested in him prior to the draft.
Myatovic back home in PG after first successful NHL camphttps://t.co/c3CZKBGBvX | #CityOfPG #PrinceGeorge pic.twitter.com/HUvbeymJtV
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 14, 2023
The 18-year-old Molendyk (he turned 18 on Feb. 3rd) had some 25 friends and family take in the Draft-day experience and he had a hunch the Predators would be his destination.
“I saw Wood (Matthew) get picked there and it was absolutely electric in that building and then I saw my general manager say this is where I was going. I was that fired up as the building erupted, I don’t remember going down the stairs. My mom was moving her leg and I had to tell her to stop because I was so nervous but it was a blast.”
Just a week after getting selected by Nashville, Molendyk had arguably a bigger thrill by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the NHL club.
McBride to Music City: Tanner Molendyk of @BladesHockey on cloud nine after signing with @PredsNHL #cityofpg #PrinceGeorge #northernbc #sports | https://t.co/lvfIexkl3O pic.twitter.com/0tCbKkH4S0
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 7, 2023
“I don’t even have words for it to be honest with you. It’s been kind of a gong-show but it’s something you dream of. It’s a dream come true. I wasn’t really expecting it but I felt I had a good camp and good talks with them (the Predators).”
Molendyk and Myatovic arrived in the WHL under far different circumstances; Molendyk was Saskatoon’s first-round pick (5th overall) in the league’s 2020 Bantam (now called Prospects) Draft while Myatovic was just a sixth-round pick of Seattle, 119th overall in the 2019 Bantam Draft.
Both enjoyed immense team success in the 2023 season with Myatovic winning a WHL title and Molendyk reaching the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Winnipeg Ice.
They are now enjoying the summer with a big smile after a big accomplishment.
Getting to the next level though will likely even be more of a challenge as the stakes get higher.
As Molendyk put it, “The work is just getting started.”
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Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard will likely get first-line minutes with his first NHL team, but will he score more than 32 goals?
The over/under is 32.5.
Connor Bedard’s goal total for his rookie season is set at 32.5 on @FanDuelCanada. 🚨
How many goals will he score this year? 🥅 pic.twitter.com/Lb0tnLhN6C
— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) July 17, 2023
I will be a bit conservative and go with the under only because of the team he is with and the lack of firepower on the Blackhawks.
If you are curious, Sidney Crosby notched 39 goals (and 63 assists) in 81 games in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005-06.
Connor McDavid had 16 goals (and 32 assists) in 45 games in his rookie season with the Edmonton Oilers in 2015-16.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
With the signings of Corey Perry, and Nick Foligno, and the deal for Taylor Hall, the Chicago Blackhawks are apparently surrounding (Connor) Bedard with the 2015 NHL all-star team.
*Steve Simmons of Sunmedia
The 2023 Oakland A’s, with a record of 27-71 after Wednesday, are working on a legendary season. Unfortunately, that season was that of the 1962 New York Mets. (The 62 Mets finished 40-120-1)
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California
Aaron Rodgers says that he and the New York Jets being on HBO’s Hard Knocks was ‘forced down our throats’. Didn’t he once say the same thing about Covid vaccines?
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
According to 3downnation.com, the Edmonton Elks continue to monitor the air quality at Commonwealth Stadium. This may be due to:
a) Smoke from Alberta’s unusually high number of wildfires;
b) How badly the home team stinks.
*Comedy writer RJ Currie of Winnipeg
Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. After growing up in Winnipeg, he has lived in Prince George for the last 44 years and completed his 10th season as the radio colour commentator on the Prince George Cougars home games. Hartley is the author of You Don’t Say (sports quotes).