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Throwback Thursday: Revisiting the Ottawa Senators 2010 Draft Class

By Daniel Bruce

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 18: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators point at Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators following Smith's first period goal against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 18, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 18: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators point at Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators following Smith's first period goal against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 18, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 26: Jakub Culek, drafted in the third round by the Ottawa Senators, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 26: Jakub Culek, drafted in the third round by the Ottawa Senators, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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.

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