Manor LA Kings Select Jan Chovan at No. 184 – What You Need to Know

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With their seventh selection at the 2025 NHL Draft, the LA Kings have selected Jan Chovan with pick No. 184 of the sixth round.

Profile Information​

Date of Birth: January 9, 2007
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
Team: Tappara (U20 SM-sarja)
Born: Bratislava, SVK

2024-25 Season Review​

Chovan spent his 2024-25 season playing for the U20 SM-sarja’s Tappara. In 39 games, he had 23 points (11 G, 12 A).

Scouting Reports​

McKeen’s Hockey:

Chovan pretty much exactly fits the prototype of an NHL bottom six forward who can be deployed around 15 minutes per game and play low-event hockey when needed. He endears himself to coaches with a blend of hard work, physicality, and defensive smarts. Chovan backchecks hard, attacking opponents with a slew of relentless stick checks. He reads lanes in the defensive zone exceptionally well, consistently deflecting passes away.

Chovan’s shot is also interesting. He doesn’t have a ton of power or a sharp release, but he consistently found the back of the net this year by simply fooling goalies with a wonky touch. He follows up on his shots to take advantage of when goaltenders leave scraps around the net.

Future Considerations

Chovan is a physically imposing, versatile forward who brings a combination of grit, intelligence, and positional awareness to his game. Known for his strong board play, reliable puck protection, and consistent work ethic, he shows an ability to impact shifts through effort, body positioning, and a willingness to engage in the harder areas of the ice rather than relying on finesse or high-end skill. Comfortable at both wing and center, Chovan effectively adapts his game to suit either role, and this positional flexibility enhances his long-term value as a potential utility forward. He consistently thrives in physical battles, plays a heavy and deliberate north-south game, and understands how to create time and space for teammates by using his frame and strength. He works effectively along the walls, winning pucks and transitioning them to central areas, and when he establishes a solid base with his feet, he becomes nearly immovable in contested puck battles. His defensive commitment is evident through his ability to disrupt opposing plays with a well-timed stick, smart reads, and pressure both on the forecheck and backcheck. Chovan regularly forces turnovers and uses his size and reach effectively in all three zones, a reflection of his attention to detail and coachable style of play. His habits on the ice suggest an understanding of team structure and the type of consistency coaches value in depth players.

Elite Prospects

Chovan is at his best as more of a supportive two-way forward, capable of playing both as a centre and winger, but likely projecting as the latter one going forward. He’s a solid defensive scanner and committed to giving a quality effort without the puck, using his 6-foot-2 frame and the length it provides as an asset. This is true on the forecheck, too, as he reads defenders’ intentions and intercepts their breakouts. Our team sees him as more of a finisher than a playmaker, and his shooting skill from either leg impressed us throughout our viewings.

Hockey Prospect

Chovan is a one-dimensional heavy set sniper with excellent shot quality. He has a large frame, and although it can take him a bit of time to get going, once he’s in full flight he can be difficult to contain, especially if given space. We like how heavy his shot can be and his confidence in releasing the puck, unfortunately Chovan doesn’t show other characteristics of how to take advantage of his shot quality. Instead of using shot feints and his frame to regularly get in tighter to the net, he relies too heavily on distance shooting. He doesn’t play the game in a way that will allow him to scale up when he turns pro at this time, since he’s attempting to attack as a finesse sniper instead of playing a dirtier inside driven and down-low game.

We’ll update this article throughout the evening with additional information.

Highlights


Lead graphic by ALoImages

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Predictions: LA Kings Selections at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft

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