Martin Gernat
Image: NHL

Martin Gernat

Hometown:

Slovakia

Team:

Edmonton Oilers

Currently Playing In:

CHL

Birthday:

1993-04-11
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2011
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2011
Height:

6-5
Acquired:

5th round (122nd overall), 2011
Weight:

191 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
7.5

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • D

History

2008-09: Martin Gernat turned in a quality season with HC Presov U18 in Slovakia, posting 34 points (6 goals and 28 assists) in 41 games from the blueline.

2009-10: Gernat played another full year with HC Presov U18 with 4 goals and 24 assists in 41 games. Also got into two playoff games with the U20 team but was held scoreless.

2010-11: After 7 points in 8 games with the U18 club, Gernat played the balance of the season with HC Presov U20 posting 3 goals and 15 assists in 28 games during the regular season as well as 3 goals and 3 assists in 12 postseason games. Gernat also represented Slovakia at the World Junior Championships, notching one assist in the 6 games.

2011-12: Gernat skated for the WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings in his first season in North America and represented Slovakia at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. One of three Oilers' prospects to skate for the Oil Kings, he scored 9 goals with 46 assists and was plus-41 with 46 penalty minutes in 60 games. He scored 7 goals with 6 assists and was plus-8 with 8 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games. In four games at the Memorial Cup he scored 1 goal and was minus-three.

 

Talent Analysis

A lanky rearguard, his offensive instincts and skating ability are among his top abilities. He has excellent vision, is a quality passer, and is very confident with the puck, whether he’s carrying it out of the zone or distributing it. He still needs to work on his defensive positioning and decision making as well as add more bulk to his lean frame.

 

Future

Gernat has a unique skillset in the Oilers organization in that he is an offense-first (some might say offense-only) blueliner. The start to his WHL career has been promising and if he can continue to develop he could well see a career as a bottom pairing defenseman and power play specialist. It's unlikely he will be able to play top four even strength minutes without a significant improvement in decision manking and defensive play.

 

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