Islanders 2012 Draft Central - Tomas Hertl and Slater Koekkoek

In the days leading up to the NHL Draft, newyorkislanders.com will break down the top 50 eligible prospects

Sunday, 06.10.2012 / 12:00 AM / Islanders 2012 Draft Central

By Travis Betts

Tomas Hertl
Slavia Prague, Czech Extraliga

Position:	C	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'2"	Born:	12-Nov-93
Weight:	198	Hometown:	Prague, CZE

2011-12	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
Slavia	38	12	13	25	22

Slater Koekkoek
Peterborough Petes, OHL

Position:	D	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'2"	Born:	18-Feb-94
Weight:	184	Hometown:	Mountain, ONT

2011-12	GP	G	A	P	PIM
Peterborough	26	5	13	18	17

Tomas Hertl impressed scouts during his first big test on the international stage at the 2012 World Junior Championships, scoring five points in six games for the Czech team. The Prague, Czech Republic native was the youngest player on the Slavia Prague squad last season, yet finished fourth on the team with 25 points in just 38 games. Hertl’s willingness to go to the “dirty areas” of the rink and make plays in front of the net are what make him the top-ranked Czech prospect in this year’s draft.

A shoulder injury cost Slater Koekkoek most of the 2011-12 season, but the Peterborough defenseman notched 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 26 games while playing in every situation. Many scouts see Koekkoek as a raw prospect, with a huge upside and lots of room to grow, especially in the defensive end. The 6’2”, 184-pound blueliner moves the puck well and has a good shot, but questions surrounding his injury make it hard to predict where Koekkoek will be picked in the draft.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Tomas Hertl is a big, strong winger. He has a set of hands to go with his big frame. Tomas skates well and can score big goals.

Ryan Strome, Islanders first round pick in 2012
Slater Koekkoek had a little bit of an injury, but he’s a real good player. He’s another good offensive defenseman – really good with the puck. He has good size, and takes care of his own end. He’s a good all-around defenseman.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Slater Koekkoek missed much of this season with a shoulder injury, but he is an energetic defender who plays an up-tempo style of hockey.

Click here for Islanders 2012 Draft Central's breakdown of the top-50 players available in this year's draft.

Tomas Hertl (left) of Slavia Prague and Slater Koekkoek (right) of the Peterborough Petes are the #24 and #23 ranked draft prospects.

Edmonton Oilers
2.

Columbus Blue Jackets
3.

Montreal Canadiens
4.

New York Islanders
5.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Round 1 - 4th overall
Round 2 - 34th overall
Round 3 - 65th overall
Round 4 - 103rd overall (from BUF)
Round 5 - 125th overall
Round 6 - 155th overall
Round 7 - 185th overall

Islanders last five first-round picks
2011: Ryan Strome (5th overall)
2010: Nino Niederreiter (5th overall)
2009: John Tavares (1st overall)
2008: Josh Bailey (9th overall)
2006: Kyle Okposo (7th overall)

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