The Blackhawks selected right-handed defenseman Michael Krutil from HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic with the No. 110 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Wednesday.
Krutil scored five points (three goals, two assists) in 19 games for Praha’s under-20 team. He also made his Czech Extraliga debut as a 17-year-old for Praha. Internationally, he also had an assist in nine games for the Czech U18 national team. He’s been plagued by injuries (knee, broken wrist) during the last couple seasons, but said he’s “100 percent” healthy now.
Krutil, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 176 pounds, is the No. 27 ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting. He was selected in the first round (No. 24 overall) by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL in this year’s CHL Import Draft.
Elite Prospect’s report:
“Krutil was the Czech’s most notable defensemen and among the best players on the ice. He’s effective at moving the puck with a man advantage and displays some creative stickhandling. He can stay calm under pressure and finds solutions even when he had little time on his hands. He doesn’t hesitate to use his body to protect the puck.”
Chicago has previously selected three players at No. 110: defenseman Maco Balkovec (1991), center Ben Simon (1997) and defenseman Lucas Carlsson (2016).
The Blackhawks have two picks remaining in this year’s draft: No. 141 and No. 172. Chicago had two picks in the third round and one pick in every round aside from the seventh when they have none.