The next wave of Blues hockey is here. Young players like Jake Neighbours, Dylan Holloway, and Philip Broberg have all endeared themselves to Blues fans and established themselves as core pieces moving forward.
The next age bracket behind them seems to be led by two recent call-ups, Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud. So, who is this surprise player waiting in the wings? Perhaps the surprise of the World Juniors, Jakub Stancl? Or recent first-round pick Adam Jiricek?
I have my eyes set on a different skater, one who hails from Slovakia, and one that Blues fans should learn the name of to get ahead of the curve: Juraj Pekarcik (pronounced: "You're-eye Peck-ar-cheek).
Doug Armstrong's secret weapon
While most sources clamor for the praise of guys like Dvorsky and Snuggerud, former first-round picks with exceedingly high expectations set on them accordingly, Doug Armstrong and the scouting department of the St. Louis Blues know a secret weapon is waiting in the wings.
Juraj Pekarcik, a third-round pick in 2023, is shooting up prospect rankings and discussion boards behind the scenes of the NHL. Anyone who watches his tape will find highlights and raw talent on par with some of the NHL's best prospects:
Pekarcik is putting the finishing touches on a terrific age-19 season, where he outpaced all of his previous career marks and put together the best consistent run of hockey in his lifetime. The only question remains: how high can this young forward reach?
The future of the St. Louis Blues?
Juraj Pekarcik played this past season in the historic QMJHL for the Moncton Wildcats. In 53 regular season games, Pekarcik registered 67 points (24 goals 43 assists), and put up an even more impressive in the postseason. Pekarcik tallied nine goals and 12 assists (21 points) in 19 high-leverage playoff games, serving as a key contributor to the Wildcats' eventual championship. At the conclusion of the Q playoffs, Pekarcik had the 5th most points and the 3rd highest goals.
To put the cherry on top of his year of hockey, Pekarcik showed out in the World Juniors tournament as well. He earned seven points in 5 games (three goals, four assists) and pulled a roster for Team Slovakia to greater heights than they were expected to reach.
Pekarkic has both ridiculous skating ability and incredible puck-handling skills. It was only a question of if he could ever put it all together and combine these skills into one, dangerous hockey-playing package.
It seems that the season finally came with enough mental development. The physical ability is all there for Pekarcik, and he has no lack of toughness; at 6'2" and 205 lbs, size and speed have always been a part of his game, which led to him being drafted in an earlier round.
The start of a blossoming hockey career has just begun in the QMJHL, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Pekarcik get the call-up to the AHL sometime next season to really test his mettle. However, after the season he just had, I would expect nothing but more greatness for the young and promising forward.
Blues fans, remember the name Juraj Pekarcik, because by this time next year, I expect he will be the next in line to be considered the prince who is promised, and a critical piece of the new core of St. Louis.