The 18-year-old Slovakian took to the stage with a big smile after calling his name in front of family, friends and fans on Tuesday night.
The winger and top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting starred for his country at both the Beijing Olympics and the world championships.
* SEE FULL DESIGN BELOW.
Montreal was the first team to host the draft and took the first since the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Wendel Clark No. 1 in 1985.
Habs General Manager Kent Hughes said management made its selection Wednesday morning after meeting the 6’4″, 220-pound winger and being impressed with his personality and charisma.
“He has a very dynamic personality,” Hughes said.  “We asked him when his best moment in hockey was and he said, ‘when we win by one goal or lose by one goal.’
Speaking to TSN690 on Thursday, Hughes called Juraj “the guy I had a taste for.”
He said it was important to pick a player who could hold his own in the Montreal market.
“I think we saw the kind of reaction you get here, so we wanted to make sure he was equipped to deal with it and that we felt comfortable that he would do what was necessary to be the best player he could be.  .” 
The Canadiens selected another Slovakian with the 26th pick of the first round in Filip Mesar.  The right-handed winger is 5’10” and 175 pounds.

HABS TRADE ROMANOV

The Canadiens acquired the 13th overall pick from the New York Islanders for defenseman Alexander Romanov and the 98th pick, then picked up the 13th pick with the first pick of the third round (66th overall) and sent them to Chicago for center Kirby Dach.
Dach, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, had nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games in 2021-22.
He showed promise in a small sample last season with two goals and eight assists in 18 games.
The Blackhawks are in the process of dismantling their roster for a rebuild.
Hughes said he was motivated by a desire to get “bigger and faster in the middle of the ice.”
“Obviously, coupled with our connection with Juraj, one of the things we wanted to do was get bigger and faster. I think we’ve done that. Ideally we would have traded picks and moved up to be able to make this play Unfortunately, that was not in the cards.”
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) and Chicago Blackhawks center Kirby Dach (77) watch from the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Chicago.  The Kings won 5-2.  (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
The night began with fans at the Bell Center booing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who hosted the draft for the first time in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A special tribute to Quebecers Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur followed Bettman’s introduction.
The last time the Habs picked number one was in 1980 when they selected Doug Wickenheiser.

FIRST ROUND DESIGN ORDER:

COUNTERS TO WATCH IN THE FIRST ROUND

 Nathan Gaucher, center, Chambly – Drafted by the Ducks at 22     Maveric Lamoureux, defense, Laval – Drafted by Coyotes at 29     Tristan Luneau, defense, Victoriaville     Noah Warran, defense, Montreal 


The second round starts on Friday at 11am
The rest of the Canadians’ options are as follows:


 Round 2, Pick No. 33     Round 2, Pick No. 62     Round 3, Pick No. 75     Round 3, Pick No. 92     Round 4, Pick No. 127     Round 4, Pick No. 128     Round 5, Pick No. 130     Round 6, Pick No. 162     Round 7, Pick No. 194     Round 7, Pick No. 216 


  With files from The Canadian Press