Nemec has played the past three seasons with Nitra in Tipos Extraliga, the top professional men's league in Slovakia, and played for Slovakia at the 2022 IIHF World Championship and at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
"I want to try and play in North America, maybe the American Hockey League [in Utica] or, you never know, maybe the NHL with the Devils," Nemec said Tuesday, the second day of Devils development camp.
Nemec (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) was chosen by the Devils with the No. 2 pick of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Thursday. His Canadian Hockey League rights are held by Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but Nemec said he has no interest in playing junior hockey.
"I played two full seasons against men [in Slovakia]," he said. "I think it could be better for me in the AHL, if anything."
Nemec flew to New Jersey on Saturday, took part in off-ice workouts Monday and skated with other prospects for the first time Tuesday.
"I'm really excited to be here and I think the Devils are a really good organization for me and the people here are really friendly," Nemec said. "I think I was a little bit bad on the ice [on Tuesday] because this was just my second time this month. But you will see, the next couple of days it will be better."
Nemec, a right-handed shot, had 26 points (one goal, 25 assists) and a plus-13 rating in 39 regular-season games with Nitra, and 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 19 playoff games.
The 18-year-old also had one assist in seven games to help Slovakia finish third at the Beijing Olympics, and six points (one goal, five assists) in eight games at the World Championship.
Some scouts have seen similarities in play between Nemec and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi. Nemec smiled when told of the comparison.
"He's a really good two-way defenseman," Nemec said of Josi. "He plays really well on the power play and penalty kill too. His hockey sense is amazing I think."
Devils director of player development Meghan Duggan said it's exciting to have Nemec with their group this week.
"Right-handed defensemen don't grow on trees, and everyone knows that," she said. "He was a highly-touted player coming out of this draft and one that our organization is really excited about. Now that he's drafted, we're kind of transitioning him and our other prospects into our group and helping them with their individual development plans to get them over the next year, or years, however long it takes to reach that pinnacle and be that NHL player they want to be.
"It's an exciting time and we're thrilled to have Simon here this week with us."
