Round 3, 76th Overall: Jakub Culek (LW), Rimouski (QMJHL)
Career Stats (NHL): N/A
The rangy left-winger was selected because of his enticing offensive qualities and his large frame coming in at 6’3″, but for whatever reason, Culek struggled mightily to improve off of his good season in 2010.
Despite being the first pick for the Senators in 2010, people had to temper their expectations since he was still a third-round pick, with no guarantees.
Typically after a player is drafted teams look for a jump in play heading into the players next season, Culek did the opposite, he regressed heavily in his next season. Putting up an impressive 47 points in 63 games during his draft year, hopes were high in Rimouski but a decrease to just 22 points in 55 games was unexpected. Without any major injuries during the 2011 season, many were left scratching their heads on Culek.
While he did rebound a bit the following season, he didn’t come close to a point/game with 40 points in 55 games. It was looking like Culek didn’t have the talent to become anything more than a low-tier bottom-six forward. From 2012 thru 2015 Culek’s struggles continued as he bounced around the QMJHL, ECHL, AHL and a few Czech leagues, never finding his footing in pro hockey. He was out of professional hockey following the 2015 season.
Miraculously, Culek returned to hockey last season, playing in the Czech7 league for only 8 games, so it’s hard to tell if the journeyman forward will ever lace them up again.