Nemec, 6-foot, 199 pounds, felt good about his chances of being selected by New Jersey after meeting with the team's scouting and management staff at the NHL Combine in Buffalo. However, it was still a bit surprising he admitted upon hearing his name.
"I was a little bit nervous because New Jersey has more centers and they need a defenseman," Nemec said with a smile. "It's a big surprise because everybody said I'd be four, five, or six (picked). But second-overall is amazing.
"I'm really, really excited. I still can't believe it. Amazing."
Nemec, 18, is an offensively gifted blueliner. His hockey IQ, skating, vision and passing make him an offensive threat, and a natural power-play quarterback.
"Simon is the modern-day puck moving defenseman," Dennehy said. "His vision in all three zones, plus the ability to pass off either forehand or backhand, allows his team to transition from defense to offense."
Nemec had quite an eventful past year. He played all season with Nitra's pro team of the Slovakian league. He also helped Slovakia win bronze at the Winter Olympic Games, claimed silver in the annual Hlinka Tournament and represented his country in the World Championship.
"He has a boatload of experience playing against men," said Sportsnet's draft expert Sam Cosentino, "going back to when he was 15 years old getting into games in the men's league in Slovakia, playing in two Worlds, playing in the Olympics. That's not a lot of experience you get to see from a player in his draft year come to the table with."
