Top prospects dream of being picked No. 1 by Canadiens in 2022 NHL Draft

BROSSARD, Quebec --Shane Wright made sure to take a long look around at Bell Sports Complex during a clinic for children from the Montreal Canadiens youth development program Wednesday.

The building also is the Canadiens' practice site, and Wright knows it soon could become a more permanent home for him.
"That definitely crosses your mind," the 18-year-old said. "The position I'm in right now and what's going on tomorrow, I think that's definitely something that crossed my mind. It's something that I pictured in my mind for sure. It's obviously a beautiful facility. Definitely fun to have a chance to be in here."
Wright, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters for the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft, is among the favorites to be chosen by the Canadiens with the first pick Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said Monday the players
under consideration to go No. 1
are Wright, a center with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League; left wing Juraj Slafkovsky of TPS in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland; and center Logan Cooley of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Those three players, along with NTDP left wing Cutter Gauthier and centers Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie of Winnipeg of the Western Hockey League, helped lead the clinic.
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"Montreal is where I'd like to go, that's where I want to be," said Wright, who was eighth in the OHL with 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 63 games this season. "Just walking around he city yesterday, it's a beautiful city, unbelievable city, here in the facility as well. I really love what they have going. ... I want to be part of this. I want to be part of this organization, I want be part of building something special here and I think I can help contribute to that."
Cooley, No. 2 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters after he was second on the NTDP with 75 points (27 goals, 48 assists) in 51 games, also made sure to take in the sights, and like Wright hopes its not the last time he's in the building.
"It's such a special place here," he said. "It's a place that I can really see myself here. I love being here. All the history here, it's a special place to play."
Cooley, committed to the University of Minnesota next season, also said he would be the right fit for the Canadiens.
"I'm a two-way player that has a high ceiling, lot of room for growth in my game, continue to get stronger," the 18-year-old said. "If I keep doing what I'm doing and keep putting on the weight (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), filling out my body, I think I can be a heck of a player for their team."
Slafkovsky, No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of International skaters, visited Montreal for a hockey camp in 2014, when he was 10 years old. He's hoping his next visit lasts longer, but knows there's not much he can do to influence the Canadiens' choice Thursday.
"It's not my decision at the end," he said.
Slafkovsky had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 31 Liiga games but was a standout for Slovakia on the international stage. The 18-year-old was named most valuable player at the 2022 Beijing Olympics after scoring a tournament-high seven goals in seven games and led Slovakia at the 2022 IIHF World Championship with nine points (three goals, six assists) in eight games.
Being on the ice with the youth players did provide a welcome break from the pressure of draft week.
"I'm not sure too many of them knew what we were talking about by any means," Geekie said. "But it was a lot of fun. Just going out there, even the guys just passing around with each other was pretty cool."
Geekie and Savoie were paired off with one group of kids, Cooley and Gauthier were with another group, and Wright and Slafkovsky were together.
Wright and Slafkovsky have built a friendship dating to their time together visiting the Stanley Cup Final in Denver and touring the New Jersey Devils' practice facility.
"It was fun," Slafkovsky said. "I wanted to stand next to him so there is something to write in the newspapers since we were together."

Gauthier said he's not too nervous about Thursday yet, but said that likely will change when he and his family arrive at Bell Centre.
"I feel like it'll sink in once I walk into the rink and see all the teams on the floor and see my name on the seat," the 18-year-old said. "I think that's when it'll really sink in. It's something I've looked forward to and it's crazy how it's already here."
After the clinic, the top prospects met with the media at Montreal Science Center, and then got to view the North American club championship of the 2022 NHL Gaming World Championship.
The rest of their final day before the draft was spent meeting with NHL teams and spending time with whatever family and friends are with them in Montreal.
But the players know what's coming Thursday, and for one of them, the stay in Montreal will last longer than this week.
"It's probably the biggest moment of my life," Wright said. "Everything I've worked for, everything I've prepared for my whole life. But it's more kind of excited nervous, nervous energy. It's out of my control now. It's not something I can influence anymore. Just really trying to enjoy the experience, everything about today and tomorrow. Take it one step at a time."
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