VANCOUVER, BC (June 22, 2019) - The Vegas Golden Knights made seven selections on the second and final day of the of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Below is a list of Golden Knights' draft selections in rounds 2-7 with quotes from select players.
VGK Select Seven Players In Rounds 2-7 Of The 2019 NHL Entry Draft
2nd Round, Pick 41Kaedan Korczak, Defenseman
Birthplace: Yorkton, SK, Canada
Height: 6-2
Weight: 192 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Shoots: Right
Notes:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS DEFENSEMAN KAEDAN KORCZAK
Thoughts on if you were surprised the Golden Knights traded to get you…
I actually wasn't expecting too much. At the combine they seemed pretty interested. It was a pretty cool thing when they showed up and picked me. It was a pretty cool experience.
Thoughts on if you saw movement between the Golden Knights and the Sharks…
I actually didn't see too much, but my agent said that there were some phone calls so I got pretty excited that it was Vegas.
Thoughts on your game and what you can bring to the organization…
I'm kind of a guy that plays lots of minutes. I like to shut down team's top lines and top players and if offense is needed, I can jump in and do that as well.
Thoughts on where your physical style of play comes from…
I think playing lots of minutes and playing against top players, it's key to take the body on them and not let them have any of the ice.
Thoughts on the interview process with the Golden Knights at the Combine…
I think they were just trying to figure out who I was as a person, family background I think that was the biggest thing. Just to see who they were getting as a player and as a person.
Thoughts on hockey in your hometown of Saskatchewan…
Yeah for sure. It's the biggest sport probably in Saskatchewan. I'm looking forward to the opportunity with Vegas.
Thoughts on who you model your game after…
I've always said all along it was Marc Edouard Vlasic, a guy that can play in any situation, lots of minutes and he's a key guy that guys notice.
Thoughts on what you've heard about Vegas…
It's been amazing. The first year with the Stanley Cup Final was pretty cool. The atmosphere, my parents have been there and said it's pretty amazing so I'm looking forward to that for sure.
Thoughts on the feeling when your name was called…
It was nice to get my name called; it was kind of a relief for my family to finally get my name called. It was a pretty cool feeling and I can't even explain it.
Thoughts on playing with Peyton Krebs on Team Canada and the chemistry you guys already have…
I have known him for quite a while, we played on the Hlinka team together over in Sweden. At the combine we were actually roommates. It will be cool to share this experience with him.
Thoughts on your favorite on-ice hockey memory…
I would say winning gold in Edmonton and it was probably the best hockey experience I have ever had.
Thoughts on who has had the most impact on your growth in hockey, especially coming from a hockey family…
I'd say my dad. He played in college at the NCAA. He was there for any help and support I needed. He was my coach growing up, so he was the biggest impact for sure.
Thoughts on what your parents have told you about Vegas…
They couldn't really explain it honestly. I have seen it on TV that it looks pretty crazy. They said it's like a concert every night there and I'm really excited and looking forward to seeing it.
3rd Round, Pick 79
Pavel Dorofeyev, Forward
Birthplace: Nizhny Tagil, Russia
Height: 6-0
Weight: 163 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
Shoots: Left
Notes:
3rd Round, Pick 86Layton Ahac, Defenseman
Birthplace: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Height: 6-2
Weight: 187 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
Shoots: Left
Notes:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS DEFENSEMAN LAYTON AHAC
Thoughts on being drafted by the Golden Knights…
Just pure joy and excitement. I've worked so hard to be here. I'm excited for the future.
Thoughts on your biggest strength…
I think my skating. I think I move pretty well for someone my size.
Thoughts on your favorite on-ice hockey memory…
Winning the Doyle Cup against the Bruins at home. The place was just - half of Prince George came out and we got to win.
Thoughts on who has made the biggest impact on your growth as a hockey player…
I think my grandfather. He shared so much experience and wisdom with me. He's just a great role model for everyone.
Thoughts on Vegas…
I have not been, no. I've heard it's an unbelievable city, so much excitement, so much going on. It's really cool.
4th Round, Pick 110Ryder Donovan, Forward
Birthplace: Duluth, MN
Height: 6-3
Weight: 183 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Duluth East (USHS-MN)
Shoots: Right
Notes:
5th Round, Pick 135Isaiah Saville, Goaltender
Birthplace: Anchorage, AK, USA
Height: 6-1
Weight: 194 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Tri-City Strom (USHL)
Catches: Right
Notes:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS GOALTENDER ISAIAH SAVILLE
Thoughts on being drafted in the NHL...
I'm ecstatic right now. The Vegas Golden Knights organization is amazing. Beautiful place to play. My parents went to the inaugural season home opener and they said the atmosphere was incredible. I'm really excited to be a part of this organization.
Thoughts on your biggest strengths that can help you at the next level...
I think my biggest strengths are my skating and my composure. I think I play a really calm game with the ability to go out of my comfort zone to make that extra save that might be unorthodox. I take a lot of pride in my skating and ability to be swift in my skating and precise. I focus a lot on that, and I think I've developed my skating into something that is pretty good now.
Thoughts on what you are looking to improve in your hockey game...
One thing I'm going to improve on for sure is taking my ability and improving all aspects of my game including my skating. Obviously, the NHL is a lot faster than the USHL and college hockey so I'm going to work on being able to manage how fast the game goes and manage my skating with how the play is coming at me reading the plays and improving my hockey IQ.
Thoughts on your favorite on-ice hockey memory...
Winning the gold medal at the U19 World Junior Challenge. That was just such an unbelievable experience. Always an honor to put on the USA jersey and have that crest right in front of you. The guys that I played with there like Ryan Johnson, who went first round, and all the other guys it was truly an honor to play with all of them and every single guy that was on that team. To be able to build a brotherhood just in a couple weeks with the young men that were on that team and be able to come out with a gold medal. Truly developed a bond that is indescribable.
Thoughts on who has had the most impact in your growth as a hockey player...
My family for sure. They have supported me through everything I've gone through not just in hockey, but in life and being able to leave Alaska as a 15 year-old. That was definitely hard for both me and my family especially on my mom. She took it and accepted it and really helped give me the best experience that I could have. I have to give a lot of credit to my goalie coach Steve Thompson who has helped me develop my game so much over the last couple of years. Focusing a lot on positioning and skating. A lot of my credit on the ice goes to him, but off the ice it goes completely towards my family.
5th Round, Pick 139Marcus Kallionkieli, Forward
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Height: 6-1
Weight: 192 lbs.
Age: 18
Drafted From: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Shoots: Left
Notes:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FORWARD MARCUS KALLIONKIELI
Thoughts on being drafted in the NHL...
I'm really happy. I'm really happy to be drafted by the Golden Knights.
Thoughts on your biggest strengths that can help you at the next level...
I think my skating and my shot. I'm a goal scorer.
Thoughts on what you feel needs improvement in your hockey game...
My physical game and my defensive game also.
Thoughts on your favorite on-ice hockey memory...
In Finnish championship with HIFK two years ago.
Thoughts on who has had the most impact in your growth as a hockey player…
My parents. Being positive and positive energy.
Thoughts on if you have been to Vegas...
Yes, once when I was little. A big city, really beautiful.
Thoughts on what you are excited about coming to Vegas...
Just to meet the people there and really happy.
5th Round, Pick 141Mason Primeau, Forward
Birthplace: Owen Sound, ON, Canada
Height: 6-5
Weight: 203 lbs.
Age: 17
Drafted From: North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Shoots: Left
Notes:
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FORWARD MASON PRIMEAU
Thoughts on getting drafted today and specifically by the Vegas Golden Knights…
Honestly, I was ecstatic. I was just watching at home in my living room with my family. I kind of heard in the background my name called and then my name popped up onto the screen. Lots of screams, tears and hugs. It was a really good feeling.
Thoughts on your favorite on-ice hockey memory…
There is an outdoor rink by my house, growing up we use to always go out there and play hockey with friends. That would be some of my best memories.
Thoughts on what you think your biggest strength is that can help you at the next level…
My hockey IQ, the way I see the ice. I think I can make plays with the puck. I'm a big guy, so protecting the puck down low and then transition to make some plays.
Thoughts on who has the most impact for you through your hockey growth…
I'd have to say my parents. My dad coached me growing up and all the way through minor hockey. So, he has a lot of knowledge about the game of hockey and it definitely helped me. My mom is very supportive as well, so I'd definitely have to say those two.
Thoughts on what you have heard about the city of Vegas and the Vegas Golden Knights and their games …
When Vegas came to the league, I was ecstatic. I really like watching them play and their style of play. They were probably my favorite team to watch last year and definitely parts of this year. As far as the city goes, I have heard it's a nice city, a lot of cool things to do there. The heat is a little different compared to up here in Toronto. I'm looking forward to all those things.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER KELLY MCCRIMMON
Thoughts on Kaedan Korczak…
A player that we felt was a first-round talent so that was a really good start to the day for us. We had multiple picks in the 3rd after we made the move and the three picks in the 5th so really finished off a great weekend for our organization.
Thoughts on Pavel Dorofeyev...
Yeah, our guys had good coverage on him. Sometimes it's not easy to get good coverage on European players that aren't in their natural draft years and he's a late 2000 so he doesn't appear in all the events that we all are able to go to so our guys saw him at some under 20 events and had some KHL viewings of him as well and really felt strongly about the potential and the upside that he has.
Thoughts on Mason Primeau's physical side...
Well when you get to those later rounds you are sometimes looking for players that have a defining trait and for Mason, you touched on it, he has great size. He had a good year in North Bay and I think in a quiet way we expected he's going to continue to improve and become a really good player at that level and then we will see what his projection is after more time in the OHL.
Thoughts on if you felt similar with Marcus Kallionkieli...
Well he's a really talented player. His numbers in the USHL were exceptional and you know very smooth player. Got a really good shot. And again, our guys had lots of viewings on him. You know, from a skillset standpoint, certainly ahead of where we were able to pick him. I think he has a lot of upside, again as you move through the draft that's really what you're trying to bet on is which players have that ceiling that they could be NHL players. That would speak to the selection there.
Thoughts on why you decided to trade today…
He wasn't here yesterday in our scrum. I think that speaks for itself. There was no first-round selections in trades, there were lots of second round selections that were involved in the deal. Probably those would be deals that likely were consummated between the end of round one and the beginning of round two. Everyone was pretty aware of the fact that there's a lot of discussion between teams, and when exactly deals close you can never predict because of course it takes two teams. It seemed to be today that those deals were all completed.
Thoughts on trading at this time of year…
We've talked to teams all along, as I've said, I think all 31 teams have done that. We'll continue to do that. That's just part of our business. You go through the critical dates at this time of year. You've got the draft, which is of course is a really important event for all teams. Now we've got the week leading into free agency, those are the times of year where discussions will continue and see where they go.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL BOB LOWES
Thoughts on Pavel Dorofeyev...
Well we really like his offensive potential. He's a late birthday so he didn't play on the World Junior team so sometimes it's hard on coverage, but we had very good coverage. A couple of our scouts spent some time in Russia and watched him play in the KHL as well as the lower leagues. We saw him in some of the tournaments at U-20. His combine was really interesting, he had some really interesting metrics and whatever and athleticism for upside for athleticism so we were excited because he's still very raw and we feel he could still grow, he could still add on weight and be a better skater. And you pair that in with all the physical tools and the offensive skills, we're excited.
Thoughts on if Dorofeyev is faster or stronger than you expected...
Yes, yeah both and in our sports science, people really felt that he has a lot of growth still left as an athlete.
Thoughts on Kaedan Korczak and why you moved up to get him...
Well it's funny on your list, you put different layers on your list, and he was at a layer that we thought if we could move up it would be worth moving up. When you have three, third round picks you can do that so you can go for quality instead of quantity. I think with Kaedan we target him as one of those guys that is a quality guy. So really good job by Kelly to get us the pick and we're really excited about it.
Thoughts on Layton Ahac…
It's an interesting thing. He's a Vancouver kid that went to Prince George, I don't know if you know where Prince George is, but it's northern BC and a lot of times kids from Vancouver don't really want to go up there. If it's not appealing, they'll stay and play on teams around here in the BC Junior, so for him to make that commitment is huge as a sixteen-year-old. And then we just saw him. Bruno Campese does a great job in that league and saw him as an underage - you know you target him for the next year and then you just continue to watch his development. For us, where he really hit his stride was from Christmas on. He made the junior age challenge team for Canada. His tournament, I think he felt, and we felt he could have been a bit better, but I think what it did is give him the confidence to play with those better players in the world, it's a world tournament. And his prospect game was really, really good, CHL prospect game. And then from there his season just took off. And playing for PG, they lost in the final, but they beat that team and they're pretty much the best team in Canada. He played a huge role in that and his playoffs, you know we went into Victoria because of the Newhooks and the Bergers and the Campbells and they're out there playing each other, and he was just one of the best players on the ice and we were just really excited about that.
Thoughts on how influential Campese was in drafting Kaedan…
Yes, right there, Bruno does a great job for us. If you look, we took three kids from the West in the top four. He does a great job. Erin Ginnell lives there, too, as well. I spend a little bit of time there, but those guys are the guys that do the work and really dig in on the players. They do a great job.
Thoughts on Marcus Kallionkieli…
He's a bit of an obscure Finnish kid because he had never been on any of the national teams, so you haven't really tracked him, but he came in and played Sioux City. Not an easy league. The USHL isn't an easy league to play, and he had a very good year. He can really shoot the puck, 6-2, 190 pounds, skates very, very well. It's not an easy transition to come over here and we thought there were some ups and downs there but at that pick we just thought he was the best - you know, we'd like to invest in him as a hockey player and as a person
