If you thought the Kings were done rebuilding their goalie pipeline — well, think again. The Kings have continued to look to Europe to draft and, with the 87th overall pick of the draft, selected goaltender Lukas Parik from the Czech Republic.
The Basics
Born: March 15, 2001 (Age 18)
Place of Birth: Neratovice, CZE
Position: G
Height: 6’4””
Weight: 185 lbs.
Catches: Left
2019-20 Team: To be determined
Rankings
#3—NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (European Goalies)
#147—MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Stats
What’s the deal?
Parik went a little higher than expected, as some analysts had him in the fourth round. He made his real appearance on the world stage through his performance at the U18 World Championships. His work in net kept the Czechs in contention against some very tough competition. He won two of his five games and finished with a .924 save percentage and was the top goaltender for the Czech team.
Parik is known as an agile goalie who moves quickly from post to post. Standing at 6’4”, he has the size that people look for in goaltenders in the modern NHL. His sheer size takes up a lot of the net, not allowing skaters much room to shoot. He is rarely out of position and is good at making himself square to shots he faces.
He needs to work on his athletic ability, which would improve his quickness to get back in position. Rebound control is also a concern, as he often allows goals on second chance opportunities. Some scouts have also cited his glove hand as an issue, as well.
Parik is a goaltender who has the tools to make it as a professional, but like nearly all young goalies, he is still very raw and needs work refining his technique.
Parik’s 2019-20 season team is not yet known. Last season, he made his professional debut for HC Benatky nad Jizerou in the Czech second league, playing eight games. He also played 32 games for the U19 team of the Czech team Bili Tygri Liberec.
Highlights & Notes
The Finns need a goal late, but Antti Saarela instead hit the post and then ran into Lukas Parik. Still 3-1 Czech Republic with 2:27 to go. #U18Worlds #NHLdraft pic.twitter.com/Pd9taETujX
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) April 21, 2019
Lukas Parik to LA.
Parik has good size and is rarely too far out of position. He does a lot of things well but nothing overly amazing, either. Just not sure of his long-term potential. #NHLDraft
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) June 22, 2019