VGK Select Forward Zach Dean In Round One Of The 2021 NHL Draft
The forward recorded 20 points in 23 games for the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The forward recorded 20 points (10 G, 10 A) along with 20 penalty minutes in 23 games for the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League during the 2020-21 season. In the 2019-20 campaign, Dean scored 46 points (18 G, 28 A) through 57 contests for the Olympiques and was selected to the QMHJL's All-Rookie Team.
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft continues Saturday, July 24th and Dave Goucher, Shane Hnidy, Dan D'Uva, Gary Lawless, Stormy Buonantony and Darren Eliot will provide in-depth coverage of the draft starting at 8:00 a.m. PT on FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9 FM/1340 AM and simulcasted on Vegas Golden Knights social media platforms.
Zach Dean, Forward
Birthplace: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176 lbs.
Age: 18
Shoots: Left
- Through 23 games for the QMJHL's Gatineau Olympiques "A," totaled 20 points (10 G, 10 A) in 23 games played during the 2020-21 season
- Scored 46 points (18 G, 28 A) in 57 games for the Gatineau Olympiques in 2019-20 which was ranked third in scoring for the team
- Was named to the 2019-20 QMJHL All-Rookie Team
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FORWARD ZACH DEAN'S TRANSCRIPT ON THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2021 ENTRY DRAFT SPECIAL
Thoughts on how it feels to be drafted by the Golden Knights...
It is amazing. I can't believe it. I have been dreaming about this day for my whole life. I am just so excited that it has come true.
Thoughts on getting picked at late in the first round…
Yeah, that obviously kind of comes to mind. I was relaxed, and I tried to stay calm, and then Vegas picked me, and I could not be happier.
Thoughts on where he watched the draft from…
I am in St. Johns Newfoundland. I am at a hotel with all my family and friends, so it was pretty special to experience this with them.
Thoughts on what it means to play hockey in Newfoundland…
It's pretty special. Over the years, Newfoundland has produced a lot of good players coming up through. I know the guy's Alex Newhook and Dawson Mercer. It is pretty cool, and now me so I will continue you that with the three first round picks in the last three years. It's pretty special and it's an honor to be from newfoundland.
Thoughts on previous talks with the Golden Knights prior to the draft…
Over the past few months, I have talked with Vegas a little bit. It's obviously all doing those interviews and Zoom calls. It's kind of hard getting a gist of where you will go exactly. With Vegas I am happy with the pick, and I am happy that I am a Golden Knight.
Thoughts on his own style of play…
I think I am a really fast player. I think I like to play the game with a lot of pace. I think I see the ice really well. I have great hockey IQ. I think I also have a little bit of grit, and I think that has come into my game in the past few years. I am not afraid to get into those areas, and I love to battle and compete. Every night, its 100 percent from me, so that's what I want to bring, and that's what I will bring. Now over the summer and the next few years, I am going to continue to work on everything, the little things in my game. Some of the main things, I am a centerman. I will work on my faceoffs. I think for me, just shooting the puck a little bit more. I think I get into some prime scoring opportunities where I kind of look for that pass first and let off on a shot. So those are some big things that I am working on that will help my overall game.
Thoughts on the Vegas hockey experience…
Like you said, they'll be in the league for five years. It's pretty cool now to be part of a new team. It's pretty special, and like you said, I've watched them over the last few years. It's pretty cool. I couldn't be happier.
Thoughts on this weird season up in Gatineau…
Obviously, we were really lucky to get to play. During those times, we did have some stoppages and took some time off, but I think my team and everyone in the league stuck with it. We had to have a good mindset, and, in the end, we were lucky to play hockey and that's what we were there to do. Overall, I'm just grateful I was able to play hockey this year.
Thoughts on a player you mold your game after…
I think over the last couple of years I've watched Mat Barzal. Just some of the things that he does with the puck, the way he skates, I think there are some similarities. I think there are similarities, so I like to watch him and apply some things he does into some of my game.
Thoughts on how you've elevated your compete level…
I think coming from midget hockey, and then into the QMJHL, and playing as a 16-year-old in that league, you need to be able to play at a high pace. If in a game, you're not playing at that top, where you're producing points, or whatever it is, if you're working hard then you can help your team have a lot of success. That's something I've learned over the last few years, so it's helping a lot.
Thoughts on what the scene was like when your name was called…
It was pretty surreal. I think the first thing I heard was Gatineau, and I was like, wow, is this me, is this me? It was pretty cool, so I couldn't be happier to spend the night with my family and my friends and have them all with me.
Thoughts on who is important in your family and in your hockey life…
Pretty much my whole family and I are really close. We like to spend a lot of time together. During Christmas we are all together. Just my parents and everyone have been there right from the beginning. I'm an only child, so they have done a lot for me, since putting me in hockey, spending the money putting me in different sports, just helping me and being there for all of my decisions. I couldn't be more thankful for that.
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