Courtesy YouTube
A screen grab from a VGK Draft Special on YouTube shows Zach Dean, who was drafted in the first round by the Golden Knights, Friday, July 23, 2021.
Published Friday, July 23, 2021 | 8:40 p.m.
Updated Friday, July 23, 2021 | 9:35 p.m.
Zach Dean smiled from Newfoundland, about as far away from Las Vegas as possible without leaving the continent, when asked about his impressions of his future home.
The Golden Knights selected Dean from Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with their first-round pick, 30th overall, in the NHL Draft on Friday night. It may be awhile before he makes his first hockey trip to Las Vegas, but the Golden Knights were happy to select him and he’s eager to arrive.
“I’ve traveled a lot, played hockey in a lot of different places,” Dean said. “It’s a great organization and a great spot to play, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
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Dean, listed at 6 feet, 176 pounds, is a skilled two-way forward who makes up for his relatively small frame with a strong work ethic. He’s thought of as speedy and reliable defensively, and has more offensive pop than the 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 QMJHL games this season would indicate. He said he models his game after Islanders star Mathew Barzal.
He started the year at center before moving to wing, but the Golden Knights believe he has the chops to stay in the middle as he progresses through the system.
“Skilled centerman is how I’d describe him,” Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “We really like talent and he’s got talent. He’s got skill and that’s what we like to draft with those high picks.”
Dean has been eyed as a potential first-round pick for some time, dating back to the 2019-20 season in Gatineau where he started the year as a 16-year-old. He had 46 points in 57 games before the pandemic shortened the season. He helped Gatineau to a 16-11-4 record this year, and he recorded a goal and an assist in four playoff games.
McCrimmon confirmed the Golden Knights won’t hold a development camp this year as a result of the pandemic altering the league calendar, so Dean won’t get the summer trip to Las Vegas other draft picks have received in the past. Depending on the QMJHL schedule, it’s possible he joins the Golden Knights for preseason camp, though he likely won’t see regular season NHL action for a few years.
Dean is the sixth first-round pick in Golden Knights history, and the fifth forward. Officially he is the latest first-round pick Vegas has had, though he was the 29th player taken after an earlier pick was forfeited. Vegas selected Michigan sophomore Brendan Brisson with the 29th pick last year.
