It was the first time in 12 years that the Vancouver Canucks made two picks in the first round.<\/p>\n
After selecting Caleb Malhotra with the third overall pick,<\/a> the Canucks stopped the draft-day slide for a big-bodied winger.<\/p>\n With the 24th overall pick, the Canucks selected Adam Novotny. The Czech winger was ranked top-20 on most draft boards, and was the 15th-best prospect on Elite Prospects\u2019 Consolidated Rankings.<\/p>\n According to CHEK\u2019s Rick Dhaliwal, Novotny\u2019s OHL GM, Michael Oke, was surprised that the Canucks had a shot at selecting him.<\/p>\n Peterborough GM Michael Oke on Adam Novotny : The #Canucks<\/a> got a good one, Adam plays with power, he is a shooter, he can score and is versatile and plays the right way and a good 2 way player. \u2014 Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Oke drafted Novotny to the OHL back in 2024, after he became the youngest player to score a goal in Czechia\u2019s top hockey league, doing so at the age of 15.<\/p>\n Novotny is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger who scored 34 goals and 65 points in 58 games for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL last season, leading his team in both goals and points.<\/p>\n However, the 18-year-old had a quiet postseason, with one assist in six games. Novotny experienced more success at the World Juniors, where he was part of a Czech squad that won silver earlier this year.<\/p>\n The Vancouver #Canucks<\/a> have selected He was @eliteprospects<\/a> #14. This is an amazing selection \u2014 he operates with a ridiculous pace and work rate. He’s filled out, detailed, and has amazing tools. Top-six upside with certainty. pic.twitter.com\/CYdl3zKBwd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Daniel Gee (@DanielGScouting) June 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps there was a bit of a trend with the Canucks selections of Malhotra and Novotny in the first round on Friday night.<\/p>\n With Malhotra, the Canucks got a 6-foot-2 centre with size, skill, and a 200-foot game. Malhotra is also a guy who said he models his game after Aleksander Barkov.<\/p>\n Ironically, Novotny possesses some similar traits.<\/p>\n He\u2019s really thick, and he\u2019s a powerful skater,\u201d Oke told The Athletic back in January.<\/a> He\u2019s got strength, he\u2019s got a very good shot, he can move the puck well, and he\u2019s got a lot of details and really good habits when it comes to stick in lanes, blocking shots, and really contributes in all three zones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose things make him a valuable player in all situations, whether you\u2019re pressing for a goal or defending a lead.\u201d<\/p>\n The Canucks have also shown a tendency to draft high-character players over the past couple of years, and that trend has seemingly continued with Novotny.<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond his performance on the ice, he\u2019s a really good person,\u201d Petes coach Rob Wilson said.<\/a> \u201cThat\u2019s why we named him captain, because we knew he could handle the role and really look out for his teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n As of writing, the Canucks will make eight more draft picks on Saturday, starting with the first pick of the second round, 33rd overall.<\/p>\n
I am surprised he was available where the Canucks got him.<\/p>\n
Adam Novotny with the 24th-Overall pick. <\/p>\n