Calgary Flames select Samuel Honzek with No. 16 pick in 2023 NHL Draft
The Calgary Flames have selected forward Samuel Honzek with the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Honzek is a big Slovak winger who spent his draft season with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants. Although he missed a large chunk of the season after suffering an injury at the World Juniors and looked a little out of sync upon his return to the lineup, he started to rediscover his groove down the stretch and finished second on the Giants in scoring.
The six-foot-four forward, who plays both left wing and center, collected 23 goals and 56 points in 43 games with the Giants during the 2022–23 WHL season. He added a goal and three assists in four playoff contests with the Giants.
Honzek appeared in a pair of games with team Slovakia at the 2023 world juniors before taking a skate blade to his leg. Although he avoided a potentially devastating Achilles tear, Honzek still missed nearly two full months of action while recovering from the injury.
Honzek is the latest addition to a Flames prospect pool that also includes Matthew Phillips, Connor Zary and Lucas Ciona. The Flames did not make a selection in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Calgary does not possess another pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Barring any additional moves, the [team name] will be back on the clock with the No. 48 pick in the second round.
Daily Faceoff‘s Steven Ellis ranked Honzek as the No. 18 prospect available in this year’s draft. Here’s what he had to say about Honzek in his final 2023 NHL Draft Rankings:
“I don’t think Honzek has a huge offensive ceiling, but I think he’s going to have a long career,” Ellis said. “He throws punishing hits, is a fantastic two-way presence and has a great release on his shot. Honzek’s game is built around power, and I love him as a potential middle-six option.”
The Flames finished the 2022–23 regular season with a 38-27-17 record and 93 points in 82 games, enough to finish 5th in the Pacific Division and 16th in the league. They ultimately missed the playoffs.