Out of the four first round pick players the Canucks received from Minnesota in return for Quinn Hughes, the player with the highest potential may have not even played an NHL game yet

In June of this year, the Canucks used the 24 overall draft pick they got from Minnesota, to draft Czech forward Adam Novotny. And given his undeniable highlight-reel and funny interviews, you can tell he has the potential to quickly turn into a fan favourite.

Novotny first made headlines amongst Canuck fans at this year’s Prospect games where he showed in practices and online clips that he has legit moves. After spending the beginning of his season at Canucks training camp, Adam went back to Peterborough to play his second season in the OHL. Through his first dozen games, Novotny has racked up eight goals and nine assists, driving his line’s play, while making jaw dropping moves . Whether he is slipping the puck through a defender’s legs or rifling a shot at the top of the circle, it’s clear Novotny has a skillset far ahead from his peers.

 The internal excitement surrounding Novotny’s promising play has given Canuck management and fans issues day dreaming, imagining a world where he becomes the next David Pastranak. 

During a recent media availability addressing the organization’s prospect pool, Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson highlighted Novotny’s maturity and relentless work ethic:

“Adam plays the game with a professional edge already. His spatial awareness and competitiveness in tough areas are exactly what we look for in our young guys.”

Novotny will hopefully have no issues adapting to the NHL’s more aggressive style of play. He’s already shown flashes in the OHL and in training camp that he’s not scared to use his 6’1” 205lbs frame to his advantage. 

When discussing the areas in his game he thinks he can grow, Novotny mentions some of the things he learned about himself at Canucks training camp:

“Just the pace, how fast I have to think. I have no time with the puck and have to make my decisions a lot faster.”

For Canuck fans during this rebuild, constantly watching losing hockey can get old and uninspiring real fast. That’s why watching prospects like Novotny develop and shine with their teams is something that can add positivity to a Canucks season that will see plenty of negativity on the ice this year. And you never know, the player that arrived last in the Quinn Hughes trade could end up being the one that shines the brightest.