Meet your next favorite Av

When Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic stepped up to the podium and announced the team had selected Martin Kaut with the 16th selection, Avalanche fans everywhere had no idea they were hearing the name of their next favorite hockey player.

The secret will get out sooner than later.

Czech Republic’s second player selected in the first round of this year’s NHL Draft, 18-year-old Kaut began his press conference with the media by apologizing for his poor English and said he preferred being asked the “easy questions.”

His charm shining through with every question, there was no doubt this was a player destined to be a member of this Avalanche team. While he’s certainly no lock to make the NHL in his career, there couldn’t have been a more obvious personality fit as the front office scanned for the next piece of the puzzle.

There will be plenty of time in Kaut’s career to talk about the combination of his excellent skating, goal-scoring prowess, and imposing size. On this night, however, it was the affability of Colorado’s newest young player that broke through the language barrier.

While tonight was all smiles, it wasn’t that way throughout the draft process as Kaut was forced to leave the NHL Combine two weeks ago after doctors discovered an issue with his heart. The condition was considered minor and he returned home to the Czech Republic to have it corrected. After the minor procedure, his doctor went so far as to say they had corrected a problem they weren’t even sure existed. The toll it took on Kaut, however, was undeniable.

“I was very surprised because I had, two weeks ago, I had some problems with my heart,” Kaut explained. “I [had] operation, now I was drafted with Colorado so it’s unbelievable.”

Upon finishing his sentence, Kaut flashed what soon will become his trademark grin. He was happy just to be here for today but he mentally was already focusing on what came next.

“I want to play NHL but maybe next year I’m going to play American Hockey league so we will see after [the] season,” Kaut said of his immediate future.

When the Avalanche selected Finnish right wing Mikko Rantanen in 2015, they immediately signed him to his entry-level contract and brought him to North America to compete in the AHL. Rantanen won Co-Rookie of the Year. Kaut is hoping to follow in those footsteps.

They have really great young guys like MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog and me,” Kaut joked. “We will see. And last was playoffs I think.”

The press contingent enjoying his company nodded. The Avalanche made the playoffs last year. This caused Kaut to smile wide again.

“It’s amazing because I was drafted with Colorado,” Kaut would say several times. “It’s a great organization. So I’m very glad.”

When asked to describe himself, he gave a pretty similar description to the one given by Joe Sakic moments later in his press gaggle.

“I’m a typical two-way forward with great skating and playmaker, but first a two-way player,” Kaut said confidently. “So, I’m a two-way player.”

Kaut would go on to say he hopes to carry on the legacy of Milan Hejduk, the great product of the Czech Republic whose jersey was just retired by the Avalanche last season.

“It’s amazing because he played in Pardubice like me, so it’s an amazing story,” Kaut admitted. “I want to be like him.”

While Kaut is excited to potentially play in the NHL, he understands his biggest weakness: his wiry frame needs to continue to bulk up to withstand the pounding of the physically taxing NHL season.

I must be stronger,” Kaut stated, suddenly taking a more serious tone. “It’s more for NHL player. So I must be stronger, and smarter.”

When assessing his own season, Kaut noted the ups and downs that came with playing in the top league in his native country. Young players frequently begin as role players before their talent cannot be held back anymore and they earn significantly more minutes as the year progresses.

“I had first half season bad,” Kaut admitted. “I played fourth line, seven minutes on the ice but after championship (WJCs), I came to Pardubice I played second line, I play PP, I had twenty minutes on the ice. So it was a great season for me.”

While his 16 (9g, 7a) points in 38 games aren’t eye-popping numbers, in the context of being a teenager in a pro league in Europe, it’s pretty impressive. He was especially good in the postseason, scoring five points (3g, 2a) in seven games.

It was his performance in the World Junior Championships in Buffalo this past January that really propelled him into the draft’s first round. Playing on a team with stars like Filip Zadina and Martin Necas, Kaut was plenty impressive in his own right, scoring seven points (2g, 5a) in seven games. H couldn’t be more excited about national team teammate Zadina, who was selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings.

“We played together in Pardubice,” Kaut began. “He’s a great offensive player. He’s great. Best in Czech I think. He’s great. It’s amazing for me and for him. It’s amazing in Czech Republic.”

Kaut happily bounced from question to question, constantly smiling and answering each question with a genuine honesty you rarely see from hockey players. When asked who he patterns his game after, Kaut showed his quick-thinking.

Patrice Bergeron,” Kaut said before playfully reconsidering. “And now MacKinnon! But Bergeron, he’s the best two-way player in NHL.”

Before taking his leave to continue his round of media obligations, Kaut took the time to thank his family for helping him achieve his dreams. Most notably, he expressed a deep affection for his brother.

“I want to say one thing,” Kaut started. “Thank you to my family, and my brother. We live together in Pardubice. He’s like my second father. So, thank you for sure to my parents, but thank you to my brother.”

Before leaving, Kaut smiled wide again and allowed himself to continue soaking in the present.

“It’s amazing,” Kaut proclaimed. “I don’t believe this moment.”

And then he smiled that smile that’s about to become his trademark.

Prepare yourselves, Avalanche fans. Your list of favorite players is about to get one name longer.