Max Curran, Lukas Matecha listed in final NHL Central Scouting rankings for 2024 NHL Draft
Kennewick, WA – Tri-City Americans forward Max Curran and goaltender Lukas Matecha have been listed by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. Curran was ranked 58th among North American skaters and Matecha was ranked third among North American goaltenders. The Draft is set for June 28 and 29.
Curran, from Prague, Czechia, was drafted 39th overall by the Americans in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. Splitting the 2022-23 season between HC Slavia Praha’s U17 and U20 team, Curran scored 37 points (15-22-37) in 18 games with the U17 team and 27 points (8-19-27) in 18 games with the U20 team. He also represented Czechia at the World U17 Hockey Championship and helped Team Czechia win a silver medal at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup with a goal and two assists in five games.
It didn’t take long for Curran to adjust to the style of play in the WHL as he recorded eight points in his first 10 games, and 32 points (5-27-32) in 40 games this past season. An injury suffered in January ended Curran’s season prematurely, forcing him to miss the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game after being named to the roster.
Matecha, from Paradubice, Czechia, was also selected by the Americans in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, 99th overall. He spent the 2022-23 season with his hometown HC Dyname Paradubice U20 team, going 14-18 with a .918 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average.
After attending Detroit Red Wings prospects camp ahead of the 2023-24 season, Matecha joined the Americans and had a strong season going 13-19-1-1 with a .901 save percentage and a 3.42 goals against average. He was also named to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and turned aside all 19 shots he faced during his game action, helping Team Red win 3-1.
Tri-City has had 67 players in franchise history drafted into the NHL, most recently being Lukas Dragicevic who was selected 57th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 NHL Draft.
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