St. Louis Blues select Adam Jecho No. 95 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

The phrase “you can’t teach size” rings true for Adam Jecho, a 6-foot-5 forward who can lay the body and has the offensive pedigree that can put him on a path to play for the St. Louis Blues in the next five years. 

But as Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis wrote in his top 10 ‘big guy’ prospect column, it’s Jecho’s skating that could hold him back. 

“I just don’t think he has the pure pace or explosiveness to thrive in a scoring role in the NHL,” Ellis wrote. “Still, I think he’ll be a good pro with good athleticism and with the right patience in his development, I think he’ll become a solid NHLer.”

In his first season with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, the Zlin, Czechia native scored 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 54 games. Scouts like his hockey IQ and his ability to make not necessarily the most skilled play, but often the smartest play. Also: do not sleep on his power play skills, either.

“He’s got a great shot, is hard to beat along the boards and is defensively responsible, too,” Ellis wrote in May.

“(He’s a) massive winger with solid puck protection tools and composure. The skills and skating hold him back, but should become a solid third-line checking forward,” Hadi Kalaeche of Dobber Prospects wrote. 

There’s a good chance he could carve out a bottom-six role for himself in the NHL, as his skillset resembles the type of depth player teams look for. However, if he’s able to evolve his offensive game and continue improving on his defensive skills, St. Louis might end up with one of the biggest steals of the draft. 

Blues fans should follow Jecho closely in 2024-25 and see how the Czech forward grows as a future professional.