Meet the New Jersey Devils 2022 draft class

The New Jersey Devils entered the 2022 RHL draft with 7 picks but finally drafted 9 times after doing a few trades. First they climbed a few spots when they traded with Seattle for #79 vs #96 + 6th rd pick next year + Bobby Nardella + Benjamin Baumgartner + Roope Laavainen and Eetu Pakkila. After that, they traded again with Seattle #128 vs #131 and #186. Finally, they traded to Dallas #131for #145 and #177. Enough of that, let’s meet the new guys.

Pick #23 

Name: Jiri Kulich
Position: C
Height: 6’0’’
Weight: 179 lbs
Place of birth: Kadan, CZE
Team: HC Energie Karlovy Vary

Why we drafted him: An explosive U18 tournament where he scored 9 goals and 2 assists in 6 games which was good for Most Valuable Player title of the tournament. Jiri has a sick shot, one of the best of this draft class. 

Pick #32

Name: Lane Hutson
Position: D
Height: 5’8’’
Weight: 159 lbs
Place of birth: Chicago, IL, USA
Team: USNTDP 

Why we drafted him: He’s a highlight reel machine. In the offensive zone he’s dancing around opponents in a way only elite players do. The saying was « if he was a little bit taller…he would have been a top 10 pick » We do not care about his shape, he’s special and we believe he will be an RHL all star.

Pick #45

Name: Danny Zhilkin
Position: C
Height: 6’1’’
Weight: 196 lbs
Place of birth: Moscow, Russia
Team: Guelph Storm

Why we drafted him: The guy seems to have all the tools. He’s strong, has silky mitts and his skating is above average. That said his the kind of guy leaving you wanting more. We would expect more than 55 pts in 66 games for a guy with such a toolkit. Medium risk/High reward guy. 

Pick #79

Name: Vinzenz Rohrer
Position: C
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 168 lbs
Place of birth: Feldkirch, Austria
Team: Ottawa 67’s

Why we drafted him: He’s working hard and play physical even though he’s not the biggest guy. The skills are there but we felt for his great attitude. Fun fact, he grew up on the same street as Marco Rossi and they used to play hockey together when they were kids. Cool story, good enough. 

Pick #81

Name: Devin Kaplan
Position: RW
Height: 6’3’’
Weight: 205 lbs
Place of birth: Bridgewater, NJ, USA
Team: USNTDP

Why we drafted him: Born in NJ! Isn’t that enough? Joke aside, he’s a big man with a great vision, playmaking abilities and a very good shot. He will have to improve his skating but he will have a few years to do that in the NCAA with BU. 

Pick #117

Name: Cole Spicer
Position: C
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 176 lbs
Place of birth: Grand Fork, ND, USA
Team: USNTDP

Why we drafted him: Cole had a decent production with a limited role on a really good USNTDP squad. He played his role well, developing a nice defensive awareness IQ that can translate well in the pro league. Also, we still have in mind his 169 pts in 63 games in his 15U AAA season with Honeybaked. No doubt, it takes some skills to rack that amount of points.

Pick #145

Name: Tyler Muszelik
Position: G
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 194 lbs
Place of birth: Long Valley, NJ, USA
Team: USNTDP

Why we drafted him: Another NJ born! Yes of course but there’s also more than that. He had a decent season with the program and we liked the fact he should be the starter next season with New Hampshire in the NCAA. Not bad for a guy that just turned 18 on July first.  

Pick #177

Name: Emmett Croteau
Position: G
Height: 6’4’’
Weight: 194 lbs
Place of birth: Bonnyville, AB, Canada
Team: Waterloo Black Hawks

Why we drafted him: Emmett is a big guy who will need a few years to develop. He wasn’t on the radar at the beginning of the season and climbed to #10 on the central final ranking. We like to take a flyer on a riser. 

Pick #186

Name: Ivan Zhigalov
Position: G
Height: 6’3’’
Weight: 168 lbs
Place of birth: Minsk, Belarus
Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix

Why we drafted him: Passed over in 2021, he went to America hoping that it will helps boost his stock. He’s the kind of guy really committed to becoming a pro and we liked the fact that he was hungry for it. When asked what’s his goal, he answers that he wants to be the best NHL goalie nonetheless! Before becoming that, the next step is the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL where we hope he will continue to get stronger and better.