Dvorsky already a favorite with Blues fans after prospect camp

And Blues fans in attendance to see the 10th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft are anxiously hoping they have a budding star on their hands.

The Zvolen, Slovakia native, all 18 years of him, was certainly a standout performer when prospects convened on Centene Community Ice Center July 1-4, putting on a show for the hometown fans was on the agenda as well as making that everlasting first impression on those that believed in him to take him 10th in a deep draft class.

"That's what I'm here for," Dvorsky said. "I'm here to make an impression and to just show myself to the people who believe in me. I'm not here for just a hat and t-shirt.

"I just try to be myself out there always and just try to do my best always when I'm on the ice.

"I feel good here. It's a great environment, great people, also really like the practices. So far, I love it here."

Dvorsky, listed at 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, seemed to do everything the way it was supposed to be done whether the puck was on his stick or not. When he had the puck, he was making good, smart plays with it. When he didn't, he was mindful of the other side of the ice.

Dvorsky, who was picked sixth in The Hockey News mock draft, is known as a two-way player with good size and strength for his young age, has excellent hands, skill and vision but what he displayed as well as any is his willingness to shoot pucks and put them on target.

"He's pretty impressive," said Blues director of amateur scouting Tim Taylor said of Dvorsky. "I would say his elusiveness on the ice. He made a couple plays where he went inside on a 'D' and looked like he was slowing the play down and he was gone past him. Obviously saw his good shot, that spin-o-rama on the backhand. He possesses the puck and he's very smart."

The Blues had three first-round picks in Nashville, and they chose center Otto Stenberg at No. 25 and defenseman Theo Lindstein at No. 29, but they had Dvorsky high on their list. They had received favorable intel from their European scouts, where the Blues have a heavy presence, and really liked what Dvorsky brought to the table to them.

Dvorsky, who spent last season in Sweden playing for AIK of HockeyAllsvenskan, had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 38 games, and those might think those aren't very high-end numbers for a top-10 pick, but he really burst onto the scene for Slovakia at the U-18 world juniors (eight goals, five assists in seven games) and he had 12 points (eight goals, four assists) last year at the U-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where the Blues really noticed him.

"He's a tremendous player with character, two-way ability," Blues director of amateur scouting Tony Feltrin said at the draft. "He proved at the U-18 versus his age group the scoring ability, makes tremendous plays, makes players around himself better. Lots of potential there, really liked the player."

The way Dvorsky performed at prospect camp, they were ready to hand general manager Doug Armstrong pen and paper to get the entry-level contract signed immediately. But Dvorsky will return to Sweden, at least for one season, and play for IK Oskarshamn of the Swedish Elite League, the best league in Sweden, and prepare himself accordingly, after signing a two-year contract there.

He first was able to work with Blues prospect coaches, including Alexander Steen, who was recently hired as a European player development consultant and will see Dvorsky quite a bit in Sweden.

"Very good, very competitive," Steen said of Dvorsky's game. "He's a competitive person, very humble, curious, wants to learn. Really strong. I'm impressed with his strength and his stick, puck battles and stuff. When you're battling that hard and still has the touch when he gets the puck free, he's there. Very calm, great person."

Dvorsky will play against top-flight competition, and against the kind of size and strength he will eventually see in the NHL. Dvorsky has been growing his game in Sweden since he was 16.

"Every player has his own different path," Dvorsky said. "I choose the way of Sweden and I'm happy I did that. I think it's been good for me. I've learned so much there. Of course it's challenging. Hockey is challenging all the time, but I like the challenge."

There's a long way to go, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Dvorsky could develop well enough to be an NHL player by the time he turns 19, but the Blues historically have nurtured their prospects at a snail's pace, and for good reason. But they haven't had a pick this high since taking Alex Pietrangelo fourth overall in 2008.

"We've always said this, right. The player, his development, his growth will let us know when he's ready," Taylor said. "He's going to have a big year there. They're expecting big things from him in the Swedish Elite League, so we're looking forward to watching him play there. It's a great league, he's playing amongst men, so it's going to be a challenge for him, but at the same time, it's a better league than playing in the OHL or (the) Western Hockey League. He's playing against older players, experienced players and guys that make their living. It's going to be a really good experience for him.

"As long as he gets off to a good start, I think that I'm really looking forward to seeing how he can adapt to that league. I know he was in a little bit last year. I know that team is expecting him to be a frontrunner on the top PP unit. It's going to be a good challenge for him, but at the same time, it's going to be a real growth for him."

But for Dvorsky, he doesn't seen content that he performed well in camp, and he wants to continue to hone in on his craft before testing his game where his ultimate goal is: the NHL.

"Honestly, I think I have to improve everything, every aspect of my game all the time," he said. "I just want to keep moving forward all the time with everything.

"That's the test of every player, but that's the test every single player wants, right? I just can't wait until it happens. I'll work so hard to be there and to have the test."

And when will that be?

"We'll see. I don't want to answer anything now," Dvorsky said of making it to the NHL. "I'll just do my absolute best to make the team as soon as possible."