Dallas Stars select Jakub Vaněček with 59th pick in NHL Draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 4:29 PM
Last updated Jun 28, 2026
The Dallas Stars selected Czech defenseman Jakub Vaněček with the 59th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Vaněček, an 18-year-old standing six-foot-two and weighing nearly 200 pounds, was viewed as a potential first-round talent due to his high hockey IQ and offensive instincts. He contributed to a silver medal finish at the U18 World Championships, scoring three goals and two assists in seven games. In the WHL, he posted 14 goals and 21 assists for the Tri-City Americans in 59 games this past season. The selection fills a need for Dallas after trading away their first-round pick to acquire Mikko Rantanen.
- •Dallas traded away their first-round pick in the Rantanen deal.
- •Vaněček recorded five points at the U18 World Championships.
- •He tallied 35 points in the WHL last season.
- •His selection reflects Dallas's focus on bolstering defensive talent.
- 4:29 PMYahoo Sports — Dallas Make First Draft Pick at 59th Overall, Select Czech Defenseman Jakub Vaněček
"Recouping value after a blockbuster trade, Dallas landed a physical, high-IQ playmaker whose international pedigree and offensive instincts make him a potential steal for the blue line.
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