Leaning into their rich defensive identity, the Nashville Predators took perhaps the most unique defenseman in a forward-heavy opening round Wednesday.
With the 24th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Predators selected Tanner Molendyk as their second selection of the first round in Nashville.
Molendyk joined Matthew Wood, who the Predators selected with the 15th pick.
Here’s what you need to know about Molendyk, 18, who is from British Columbia, and plays for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.
Molendyk is proud to play defense
Molendyk is the type of defender who takes pleasure in doing the dirty work. Offense is enjoyable for him, sure, but he finds defending just as fun.
“I think I’m more of a two-way guy,” Molendyk told FCHockey. “I like to get up in the rush and play offense, but I like to defend. I find it kind of fun to defend, and I like being a two-way guy.”
Despite playing defense for his entire life as a hockey player, he separated himself at the U15 level for his exceptional scoring ability, averaging two points per contest. His production offensively has since declined, but his attitude and intangibles give him a chance to, once again, be a two-way player in the NHL.
Defense is what he was drafted to play for now, and it’s a role he takes great pride in.
He’s a terrific skater
This should bode well for his career as a defenseman. With one of the integral parts of hockey defending already mastered by Molendyk, there’s a great chance he’ll be able to carve out a role for himself quickly once he gets his opportunity.
Regularly in scouting reports, Molendyk has received great praise for his fluid skating ability. His body control as a skater is lauded and his easy transitions from forward to backward skating are great foundations for both an elite defensive and an improving offensive skillset. Molendyk can survey a offense and read the ice at an impressive level, but his natural ability to skate is promising.
He won a gold medal with Canada
In a 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal winning run, Molendyk finished the tournament with one goal, three assists and no penalty minutes in five games. He was a valuable piece on a defense that allowed just three goals in the tournament.
“Yeah, that was obviously huge, that was awesome to wear the Maple Leaf,” Molendyk told FCHockey. “I think being there and getting that confidence playing with those guys and seeing what guys across the world could do, was really special and grew me as a player and a person.”
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tanner Molendyk: What to know about Predators 2023 NHL draft pick
