“Pradel was one of the best goaltenders from start to finish at the U-18s, and a big reason why the Slovaks played for a medal for the third straight year. The 6-foot-5 goaltender takes up a ton of the net, and he’s also so quick and agile, too. He was applauded for his ability to steal games in the USHL and he carried that over to this tournament, too. Pradel battles hard, sees cross-crease passes well and doesn’t let a bad goal bother him. Pradel will be one of the first goaltenders taken this summer because his mix of size and mobility makes him a great player to have in the system.”

“Pradel’s size, mental makeup, and foundation in zone tracking and sealing techniques give him a clear NHL toolkit—but he is not ready for high-level North American pro hockey today. He will need several years of tailored coaching — continued USHL/European development or the NCAA. That said, the combination of expected goals saved, performance against elite competition, and size-to-skill ratio make him a legitimate bet for teams willing to play the long game. Pradel is a draftable goalie prospect with long-term NHL upside, but at this point is far from a polished product. Monitor closely, especially as development occurs in a structured North American goaltending program.”