Vancouver Canucks select Vasily Podkolzin in 1st round of NHL Draft

The Vancouver Canucks have selected Vasily Podkolzin with the team’s first pick in the NHL Draft.

The Russian right winger, who captained Team Russia to a silver medal at the silver 2019 Under-18 World Championship, was drafted 10th overall by the Canucks

"Vitaly Podkolzin is one of the most polarizing prospects of the 2019 NHL Draft. The eye-test and stat-test show completely different results," states his scouting report.

"Combined, the two make him the most obvious “boom or bust” candidate in the draft."

10th overall: @Canucks @podkolzin19 | Neva St. Petersburg (Russia-2)
More #NHLStats: https://t.co/jHfJbOicWA #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/2ZrLFKQ4m6

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 22, 2019

🇷🇺🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/gRNUXTPdRP

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 22, 2019

Podkolzin also made history last year when he became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the KHL, which serves as Russia's top professional league.

However, some Canucks fans are grumbling about the first round selection as Podkolzin is not eligible to play in the NHL until 2022.

American centerman Jack Hughes was taken with the first overall pick by the New Jersey Devils.