Juraj Slafkovsky

Juraj Slafkovsky, born in the small town of Košice, Slovakia, has had hockey in his blood from a young age. Growing up in a family that embraced the sport, he made a bold move at 14 to Finland, seeking tougher competition to further his development. His passion for the game, paired with his easygoing personality, made him a standout both on and off the ice, with teammates describing him as “hard to miss and easy to like.”

Slafkovsky’s career skyrocketed when, at just 17, he led Slovakia to an historic Olympic bronze medal, earning tournament MVP honors. His performances turned heads ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft, where he made history as the highest Slovakian-born player ever selected, going first overall to the Montreal Canadiens. Known for his dynamic skill set and imposing 6’4″, 238-pound frame, Slafkovsky is now set to lead a new era for the Canadiens, eager to show fans why he earned that top spot and write even more chapters of history.