Nemec Plays Big Role in 2023 World Championship Debut | BLOG

Simon Nemec made his 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship debut on Monday.

Nemec, the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his way to Finland, where the tournament is being held, from North America on Saturday to join his national team.

The 19-year-old jumped right into Slovakia's lineup, playing top minutes in a 2-1 shootout loss to Canada.

Nemec was a big part of the hard-fought game, where Slovakia pick up a single point in the standings and despite having just arrived at the tournament, Nemec played a team-high 23:21, including starting the 3-on-3 overtime session. His minutes were behind only Canada's Mackenzie Weegar (27:10) for the top time on ice of the game.

Simon Nemec became the first U-20 player in Slovakia's history to participate in three IIHF World Championships and he also tied the Slovak record for World Championship games played as a U-20 player, wearing his national jersey for the 14th time when suiting up against Canada.

Although Slovakia did not win the game, they certainly gave the Canadian team a battle in the penalty-filled affair, losing out in the ninth round of the shootout. This was the first time the two countries had a game go to either overtime or a shootout in tournament history.

Before the game, Nemectold Sports.SK's Tomas Prokop that it's "high time they beat Canada", and while they didn't quite get there, it was close.

After his first season in the American Hockey League, Nemec was given a larger role for Slovakia, with head coach Craig Ramsay putting him on the first wave of the power play for the first time with the national team, he was even a shooter in the shootout when it stretched into its seventh round.

TSN broadcasters Gord Miller and Mike Johnston were singing Nemec's praises during the game, with Johnston saying "He's been rock-solid, You forget he's a teenager, he must be an early pro."

Nemec was on the Slovak top defensive pairing with 26-year-old Patrik Koch.

Slovakia next plays on Sunday at 1:20 p.m. ET. Nemec and the Slovaks will be up against Switzerland, who added both Devils captain Nico Hischier and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler to their roster. It is unclear whether Hischer and Siegenthaler will arrive in time to play, but it could make for a very interesting matchup for New Jersey Devils fans if they do. It will be Nemec's 15th time competing as a U-20 player with the Slovak men's national team, setting a new national record.