NHL Draft tracker: Arizona Coyotes pick G Michael Hrabal in 2nd round
Jun 29, 2023, 9:00 AM | Updated: 12:34 pm
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes led off the second day of the NHL Draft by selecting goalie Michael Hrabal, who last year played for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL.
Hrabal, taken in the second round and 38th overall, is committed to play for UMass next season.
Last year with Omaha, Hrabal appeared in 31 games with a 2.86 goals against average and .908 save percentage. He had three shutouts.
The 18-year-old goalie takes advantage of his 6-foot-7, 216-pound frame, according to his scouting report on Elite Prospects.
Hrabal’s size is the clear advantage that he has on the competition. He towers over screens, and even when he’s presented with a tough challenge in front of the net, he battles well for sight lines and rarely loses visual attachment on a shot. When faced with a jam play in the crease, he seals up incredibly well. Hrabal has very long legs and takes away the lower portion of the net effectively.
Out of Praha in the Czech Republic, he is the second goalie drafted this year after Adam Gajan went three spots earlier to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Arizona made the pick after it selected defenseman Dmitri Simashev sixth and then winger Daniil But 12th overall on Wednesday.
Arizona Coyotes 2023 NHL Draft
1st round
6th overall — D Dmitri Simashev, Yaroslavl Jr.
12th overall — W Daniil But, Yaroslavl Jr.
2nd round
38th overall — G Michael Hrabal, Omaha
3rd round
70th overall — C Jonathan Castagna, St. Andrew’s College
72nd overall — W Noel Nordh, Brynas Jr.
81st overall — D Tanner Ludtke, Lincoln
88th overall — W Vadim Moroz, Minsk
4th round
102nd overall — D Terrell Goldsmith, Prince Albert
5th round
134th overall — G Melker Thelin, Bjorkloven U18
160th overall — D Justin Kipkie, Victoria
6th round
162nd overall — C Samu Bau, Ilves
166th overall — G Carsen Musser, USA U-18