Lauko's Speed Was Quite the Draw

DALLAS- Jakub Lauko and his family enjoyed the show, as he described it, on Friday night at the American Airlines Center.
As pick by pick went off the board during the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, Lauko tried to take in the experience while waiting patiently for his name to be called.

While some considered the Czech forward a first-round talent, that announcement never came. Instead, Lauko slipped to the third round, where the Bruins snagged him with the 77th overall pick. In the end, he was just fine with the wait.
"I really don't know what I'm doing now. Wearing the Boston Bruins jersey and don't know where I am almost. It's amazing," Lauko said as he sat at the podium in the bowels of the AAC trying to collect himself.
"I expected to be higher, but now I can prove that I am one of the biggest steals in the draft. That's not an issue for me and maybe a good thing for me."

It certainly was a good thing for the Bruins, who, according to assistant general manager Scott Bradley, were "ecstatic" to land the 18-year-old where they did.
"We had him on our list, he was a first-round pick," said Bradley. "He's fast. Energy, plays with a lot of character, willing to sacrifice, and this player can really shoot the puck. His best asset might be his speed. So, we're excited to have this player.
"We're looking forward to development camp. He's going to come in and hopefully turn some heads."
Listed as the 20th-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting, Lauko spent the last two seasons with Pirati Chomutov in the Czech Extraliga, notching three goals and six assists in 42 games last season.
"I think I'm the two-way forward, and I can say I'm one of the fastest players in this draft," said Lauko, who likened himself to Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin. "I get good shots, and I think I play good defense. Maybe, my biggest weakness is the scoring, because I've wasted a lot of chances.
"My speed is my biggest strength…I want to help Boston with my speed."
Bradley believes Lauko is versatile enough to play both center and wing, as he did during six games with the Czech Republic at World Juniors. Lauko also showed at that tournament that he isn't afraid to mix it up physically, as evidenced by the monster hit he delivered on former Bruins defense prospect and team USA stalwart Ryan Lindgren.
"Well, he plays with energy," said Bradley. "He's the first on the forecheck. He covers ice well. We've got to work on a few things with him, like distributing the puck depending on if he is center or wing. Physically, he's got some maturing to do, but like I said, he tested well in the off-ice testing; his vertical jump and his long jump is good."

Lauko is likely to return to the Czech league next season, according to Bradley, but could end up somewhere in the CHL. Before that, however, the 6-foot, 179-pound left shot will get acclimated to Boston when he travels to town for Development Camp this week.
There is already somewhat of a comfort factor in place with Lauko sharing an agent with Bruins winger and fellow Czech native David Pastrnak, who - along with David Krejci - is someone the third-rounder has always looked up to. Lauko also grew up playing with Bruins defense prospect Daniel Bukac, who was drafted in the seventh round last season.
"It's really nice that there are the Czech guys," said Lauko. "I'm big fan of them. Watching during the season, I saw them in the [World Championship], and they are amazing players. I hope that I will be with them the same team in the next years.
"Even the younger guys. I know Daniel Bukac a lot. We played when we were young, when we were eight years old, so it's nice to meet him in Boston."
Lauko's coach with Pirati Chomutov is former Bruins forward Vladimir Ruzicka, who played for the Bruins from 1990-93, popping with a career-best 39 goals and 75 points in 1991-92.
"I know him a lot, and I think we have a good relationship," said Lauko. "He is a really tough coach, really tough on the guys, really tough on the trainings, but he made me a better player…I am much better on defense."
That development will continue as Lauko tries to forge his way to Boston. He hopes the wait isn't too long.
"I'm really excited…it's hard to describe the feelings," said Lauko. "It's one of the best days of my life to be drafted by this good organization, this great organization, and I really appreciate it. I'm so thankful to the organization that they draft me."