After making the jump to professional hockey, Demek has seen steady growth in his game. He struggled with injuries this past year, which sidelined him for all but 35 games, but Demek had a massive jump in his production. In 24 fewer AHL games, Demek scored three more points, indicating that when healthy, he was improving. Demek stands out for his frame, standing at 6-4, and is therefore able to compete well against professional defenders and protect pucks like few others. It may be a long road for Demek to get to the NHL, but given the runway he has at his size, he could wind up becoming a decent NHL player for years to come.

The 20-year-old Demek finds himself turning pro after signing his entry-level deal with Vegas just prior to the start of the 2023-24 season. Demek will be looking to provide some depth for the Henderson Silver Knights, while also shaking off a bit of rust from having played an injury-shortened campaign last season. He will look to hit the ground running at the professional level, as he will likely spend some time at center to determine his long-term viability at the position.

Demek’s second season in North America could not have gone much worse, as recovery from shoulder surgery wiped out the vast majority of his year and the defending WHL champion Oil Kings sputtered. Entering a rebuilding phase, the Oil Kings shipped Demek to Kamloops during his absence, who sit atop their division heading into the WHL playoffs. Finding himself on yet another deep roster, he will look to make an impact down the stretch for the Blazers in an effort to salvage his season. Despite the setback, expect the 6-4 Demek to shine for whatever junior club he finds himself with next season.

Demek’s first season in North America couldn’t have gone much better, helping to lead the Oil Kings to a WHL championship in his first season with the team as a year one import player. Demek, the lone Slovak drafted in the 2021 draft, seemed comfortable on smaller ice, using his size to create chances both for himself and his linemates on a stacked Oil Kings squad. Coming off an appearance for Slovakia in the postponed WJC this past August, Demek returns to Edmonton this season, where he’ll be taking on a larger role for a team hoping to stay in contention. If Demek can manage to improve his shot and pace of decision making, expect to see him putting up goals by parking directly in front of NHL goaltenders in a few years.