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Šimon Nemec

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Simon Nemec)

Šimon Nemec
Nemec with the Utica Comets in November 2023
Born (2004-02-15) 15 February 2004 (age 22)
Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Calgary Flames
HK Nitra
New Jersey Devils
National team  Slovakia
NHL draft 2nd overall, 2022
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2019–present

Šimon Nemec (born 15 February 2004) is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted second overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2022 NHL entry draft, the second of back-to-back Slovak selections and the two highest-drafted Slovaks of all time and made his NHL debut with the Devils in 2023.[1]

Competing internationally as part of Slovak national team, Nemec won a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was the first Olympic medal for Slovakia in ice hockey.[2] He is identified as part of a rising new generation of Slovak ice hockey players.[3][4]

Playing career

[edit]

HK Nitra

[edit]

Nemec was born in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia, and played youth hockey for the local club, MHk 32 Liptovský Mikuláš. Nemec began playing at the highest level in Slovak hockey, Tipos Extraliga, starting in the 2019–20 season at the age of 15 with HK Nitra.[5] In his 2019–20 season, he split his time between Tipos Extraliga, Slovak 2. Liga and Slovakia national junior team. After the conclusion of the season, in league play, he solely played in Tipos Extraliga.[6]

Nemec was selected fourth overall by the Cape Breton Eagles in the 2021 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) import draft, but he elected instead to play his draft-eligible season in Slovakia.[7]

Going into his draft year, Nemec improved his game and recorded one goal and 25 assists for 26 points in 39 games for HK Nitra in the 2021–22 Slovak Extraliga season. In the playoffs, he recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 19 games, taking his team to the finals, where HK Nitra lost in six games to HC Slovan Bratislava.[8]

New Jersey Devils (2023–2026)

[edit]
Nemec playing with the New Jersey Devils in November 2023

Following the 2021–22 Slovak Extraliga season, Nemec was seen as one of the top defensive prospects heading into the 2022 NHL entry draft and debated alongside Czech David Jiříček as the defenceman to be taken first.[9][10] Throughout the year, multiple scouts considered him a top five selection.[11] On 7 July 2022, he was selected second overall by the New Jersey Devils, after fellow countryman Juraj Slafkovský was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens, thus becoming the two highest drafted Slovak-born players in the NHL entry draft history.[12] It was only the second time in history that a single European nation had the top two selections in the draft, after Russia in 2004.[1] On 14 July, Nemec signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils.[13]

Nemec made the move to North America for the 2022–23 season, spending the entirety of the campaign with the Devils' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets, and recording 12 goals and 22 assists in 65 games.

On 1 December 2023, the Devils recalled Nemec.[14] He made his NHL debut that night, recording two assists in a 6–3 loss to the San Jose Sharks.[15] He scored his first NHL goal on 7 December, the game-winner in a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Kraken.[16] On 25 April 2025, during the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Nemec scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime of game three in the Devils' first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.[17]

Nemec recorded his first career hat trick and recorded the overtime game-winner in a 4–3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on 12 November 2025, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score a hat trick and an overtime winner in the same game.[18][19]

Calgary Flames (2026–present)

[edit]

On 23 June 2026, Nemec, along with Maxim Tsyplakov, was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for two conditional first-round picks, a 2026 second-round pick and prospect Étienne Morin.[20] As a restricted free agent, Nemec was later signed to a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension with the Flames on 6 July.[21]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Slovakia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2022 Beijing
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Silver medal – second place2021 Czech Republic/Slovakia

Nemec participated as part of Slovakia junior team in the 2021 World Junior Championships, leading the team in scoring with four points and being named one of his team's top three players.[22][23] He then made his senior IIHF international debut as part of the national senior team at the 2021 World Championship.[24] Later in 2021 he served as Slovakia under-18 team's captain at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading the team to a silver medal. He was voted most valuable player of the tournament, recording one goal and five assists for six points in five games.[25][26]

After participating in the aborted 2022 World Junior Championships, cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nemec was named to the Slovak squad for the 2022 Winter Olympics. He was one of three teenagers on the team, alongside fellow defenceman Samuel Kňažko and forward Juraj Slafkovský. He finished the tournament with an assist in seven games as Slovakia won the bronze medal game against Sweden, their first-ever Olympic medal in ice hockey.[25][2] In his second outing of the year with the senior team at the 2022 World Championship, Nemec lead all Slovak defencemen in scoring with one goal and five assists in eight games.[27]

Personal life

[edit]

Nemec's younger brother, Adam, is also an ice hockey player.[28]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 MHk 32 Liptovský Mikuláš SVK U18 445162118 70116
2018–19 MHk 32 Liptovský Mikuláš SVK U18 5210253578 —————
2019–20 Team Slovakia U18 SVK U20 123472 —————
2019–20 Team Slovakia U18 SVK.2 1613412 —————
2019–20 HK Nitra SVK U20 133584 —————
2019–20 HK Nitra SVK 120330 —————
2019–20 HK Levice SVK.2 41346 —————
2020–21 HK Nitra SVK 372171912 50000
2021–22 HK Nitra SVK 391252620 195121714
2022–23 Utica Comets AHL 6512223420 61340
2023–24 Utica Comets AHL 132686 —————
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 603161933 —————
2024–25 New Jersey Devils NHL 2722414 41122
2024–25 Utica Comets AHL 345182312 —————
2025–26 New Jersey Devils NHL 6811152626 —————
NHL totals 15316334973 41122

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2019 Slovakia HG18 7th 40000
2021 Slovakia WJC 8th 50442
2021 Slovakia WC 8th 50110
2021 Slovakia HG18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 51562
2021 Slovakia OGQ Q 30110
2022 Slovakia OG 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 70112
2022 Slovakia WJC18 D1A 9th 10220
2022 Slovakia WC 8th 81562
2023 Slovakia WJC 6th 514510
2023 Slovakia WC 9th 50004
2024 Slovakia WC 7th 81672
2024 Slovakia OGQ Q 20110
2026 Slovakia OG 4th 60222
Junior totals 202151714
Senior totals 392161812

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Schram, Carol (8 July 2022). "Slovak Surprise: Slafkovsky And Nemec Make History As Top Two Picks In 2022 NHL Draft". Forbes. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 "IIHF - Slovakia wins first ever Olympic medal". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Whyno, Stephen (8 July 2022). "Slafkovsky, Nemec lead new Slovak hockey golden generation". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Powers, Scott (8 July 2022). "NHL Draft provides Slovakian hockey with historic moment". The Athletic. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hokejista Nitry sa môže stať najmladším hráčom v histórii Tipsport ligy". sportnet.sme.sk (in Slovak). 9 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Tessler, Josh (10 November 2021). "Scouting Report: Šimon Nemec". www.smahtscouting.com. Smaht Scouting. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Kennedy, Ryan (30 June 2021). "The CHL Import Draft was wild". The Hockey News. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Kerr, Ben (5 May 2022). "Simon Nemec Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft". www.lastwordonsports.com. Last Word On Sports. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  9. ↑ Campbell, Ken (7 July 2022). "NHL Draft: Comparing top defensemen Jiricek and Nemec". The Hockey News. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  10. ↑ Zator, Matthew (24 June 2022). "2022 NHL Draft Showdown: Simon Nemec vs. David Jiricek". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Portzline, Aaron (4 July 2022). "Simon Nemec, the No. 2 NHL Draft pick, made a wise choice to pivot from soccer". The Athletic. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Engel, Heather (8 July 2021). "Slovakia makes history in first round of 2022 NHL Draft". National Hockey League. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Morreale, Mike (14 July 2022). "Nemec, No. 2 pick in 2022 Draft, signs with Devils". NHL. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  14. ↑ Stein, Amanda (1 December 2023). "Simon Nemec Recalled by Devils". New Jersey Devils. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Kasan, Sam (1 December 2023). "Devils Fall to Sharks in Nemec's Debut". New Jersey Devils. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Nemec scores 1st goal of career and Schmid makes 37 saves as Devils top Kraken 2-1". ESPN. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Nemec's goal in 2nd OT gives Devils Game 3 win against Hurricanes | NHL.com". NHL.com. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "Nemec finishes hat trick in OT as Devils top Blackhawks". TSN. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  19. ↑ "NemO(T) | GAME STORY | New Jersey Devils". NHL.com. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Nemec traded to Flames by Devils for draft picks, Morin". NHL.com. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Flames sign defenceman Nemec to five-year contract". The Sports Network. 6 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  22. ↑ Wheeler, Scott [@scottcwheeler] (3 January 2021). "Slovakia's top 3 players of the tournament: - Simon Latkoczy - David Mudrak - Simon Nemec (2022) Good run. They're going to be better next year, too" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "Slovakia U20 at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  24. ↑ "MS 2021: SR do Rigy s historicky najmladším tímom, nedostali sa doň Koch, Regenda a Hrehorčák". HockeySlovakia.sk (in Slovak). 15 May 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  25. 1 2 Potts, Andy (18 January 2022). "Slovakia looks to teen trio". IIHF. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  26. ↑ Ellis, Steven (7 August 2021). "Russia wins Hlinka-Gretzky Cup gold with convincing win over Slovakia". The Hockey News. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  27. ↑ "Devils choose Simon Nemec 2nd overall". The Score. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Nemec flourishing with more minutes since joining OHL". NHL.com. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Šimon_Nemec&oldid=1366314097"