Blues make nine picks at 2024 NHL Draft

The St. Louis Blues began the 2024 NHL Draft with the 16th overall selection, taking defenseman Adam Jiricek out of Czechia.

On Day 2, they made eight more picks including three defensemen and five forwards. Below is a pick-by-pick breakdown of Doug Armstrong's haul at this year's draft.

Round 1 - Pick 16: Adam Jiricek, D, Czechia

With the 16th overall pick, the Blues select defenseman Adam Jiricek out of Czechia's HC Plzeň. Jiricek is a competitive two-way defenseman who prioritizes physicality and hockey IQ. The right-hander stands at 6-foot-3 and was limited to 22 games this year after sustaining an injury at the 2024 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship - though he is expected to be fully ready for the start of next season.

Though scouts recognize his raw skill set, they see a sky-high ceiling with the intensity and awareness Jiricek demonstrates.

His older brother, David, was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets No. 6 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. According to David, "(Adam's) a better skater and he was good at breaking up passes."

Jiricek, who is celebrating his 18th birthday on Draft Day, was ranked No. 4 among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 2 - Pick 48: Colin Ralph, D, USHL

The Blues take another defenseman, selecting Colin Ralph 48th overall out of the USHL and Shattuck St. Mary's Prep. Standing 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds at just 17 years old, he brings an NHL-ready frame right away. Ralph, lauded as one of the most physically-imposing defensemen in the draft class, posted an impressive 66 points in 57 games at the USHS-Prep level.

Ralph, a native of Maple Grove, MN, spent the 2021-22 season in St. Louis, playing for Kirkwood High and Carshield AAA 16U. He is committed to St. Cloud State University for next season.

Ralph entered the draft ranked No. 32 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 2 - Pick 56 (via TOR): Lukas Fischer, D, OHL

With the 56th pick, the Blues take Lukas Fischer out of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. One of the youngest prospects in the entire draft class, Fischer doesn't turn 18 until September 9 and was just one week away from being eligible for the 2025 draft. Scouts see his quickness and skill at such a young age and project a great deal of upside.

Standing 6-foot-3, Fischer is now the third straight defenseman at that height (or greater) the Blues have opened their draft with.

Fischer's father, Jiri, played six years in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and was a member of the 2002 Stanley Cup Championship team.

He posted 34 points in 68 games for Sarnia this season, and entered the draft ranked No. 45 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 3 - Pick 81: Ondrej Kos, LW, Finland

The Blues make their third-round selection by taking forward Ondrej Kos out of Finland's Ilves. A native of Czechia, Kos is praised for his hockey IQ and skating. The 6-foot-3 forward demonstrates upside due to his height and skating ability.

Kos posted 11 points in 23 games across teams in the Finnish leagues, and represented Team Czechia in U18 international play.

Kos entered the draft ranked No. 26 among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 3 - Pick 95 (via NYR): Adam Jecho, C, WHL

With the Rangers' 95th overall pick, the Blues select forward Adam Jecho out of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. At 6-foot-5, Jecho continues the Blues' trend of prioritizing positional size in this draft. Many scouts projected Jecho to go much earlier due to the skill and speed he shows at such a tall stature.

Jecho posted 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 54 games with the Oil Kings this season, the same WHL club Jake Neighbours played for. A native of Zlin, Czechia, Jecho suited up for Team Czechia at the U18 World Juniors where he became friends with Ondrej Kos.

He entered the draft ranked 22nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 4 - Pick 113: Tomas Mrsic, C/RW, WHL

With their sixth selection, the Blues take forward Tomas Mrsic 113th overall out of the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers. The 6-foot left hander is praised for his shooting and goal scoring, posting 62 points in 63 games for Medicine Hat last season.

The Surrey, BC native entered the draft ranked No. 64 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 5 - Pick 145: William McIsaac, D, WHL

The Blues go back to the Western Hockey League, selecting defenseman William McIsaac out of the Spokane Chiefs. Another blue liner with size, McIsaac stands a full 6-foot-4 as he emphasizes physicality and mobility.

McIsaac totaled six goals and 21 assists for 27 total points in 67 games for Spokane, helping the Chiefs qualify for the WHL playoffs.

The Vancouver native was ranked 93rd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 7 - Pick 209: Antoine Dorion, C, QMJHL

With their first of two seventh-round picks, the Blues take forward Antoine Dorion No. 209 overall. This season, Dorion recorded 26 points in 68 games for the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts - Zack Bolduc's former junior club. Dorion's father, Pierre, was the General Manager of the Ottawa Senators for seven years.

Dorion entered the draft ranked No. 244 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 7 - Pick 211 (via NYI): Matvei Korotky, C, Russia

The Blues finish out the 2024 Draft with Russian forward Matvei Korotky. Standing at 6-foot-2, Korotky totaled 38 points in 51 games for St. Petersburg in the MHL.

Draft Notes

• The Blues acquired a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft - along with Mikhail Abramov, Adam Gaudette and two picks in the 2023 NHL Draft - from Toronto in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari - Feb. 17, 2023
• The Blues acquired a conditional pick, converted to a third rounder in the 2024 NHL Draft - along with Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner and a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft - from the New York Rangers in exchange for Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola - Feb. 9, 2023.
• The Blues traded their sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (No. 177) to Philadelphia in exchange for Kevin Hayes - June 27, 2023
• The Blues acquired a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the New York Islanders in exchange for Robert Bortuzzo - Dec. 8, 2023