The Dallas Stars made their first picks in this year’s NHL draft during its second day Saturday in Rounds 2 through 7.
Here is what the Stars did with those picks to bolster their prospect pool:
With their first pick of the draft, the Stars took a Czech defenseman from the Western Hockey League.
Vanecek spent last season with the Tri-City Americans and led all rookie defensemen in the WHL with 14 goals, adding 21 assists in 59 games.
He has also represented Czechia on the international stage at the U-18 World Championship where he recorded three goals and two assists in seven games en route to a bronze medal.
The 18-year-old is 6-2 and 198 pounds. As a left-shot defenseman, he adds depth to the Stars’ blue line in their prospect pool. The Stars could use the depth after their top defensive prospect, Lian Bichsel, earned a full-time spot on the NHL roster.