David Reinbacher in the spotlight at the NHL Scouting Combine

Austria's NHL prospect David Reinbacher was one of around 100 players invited to the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo last week. The 18-year-old answered questions from all the top teams and demonstrated his fitness across all twelve stations. David Reinbacher is being touted as a first-round pick for this year's draft, which takes place on 28 and 29 June in Nashville, Tennessee.

14 June 20232 min read

“It was a really great time,” enthuses David Reinbacher about last week, offering an insight into the hectic daily routine: “Interviews, media appointments and tests every day – it is not easy.”

All the top teams invited the 1,89m-tall defenceman for an interview. And they really do vary, as David Reinbacher reveals: “One team asked questions about the Second World War and cash machines, while another only played games. It was a little different with every team.”

The Reinbacher currently playing for EHC Kloten in Switzerland has not received any feedback yet: “I have not heard anything so far. For the most part, I had a good feeling after the interviews.”

He certainly enjoyed his time in Buffalo and the exchange with players of his own age: “You get to know new people, and it was interesting to talk with players like Leo Carlsson and Connar Bedard. And of course, it is great when a legend like Steve Yzerman is standing in front of you and you can talk to him.”

Now it is a matter of waiting – exactly two weeks. This year's NHL Draft takes place on 28 and 29 June in Nashville, Tennessee.

The provisional draft order

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Arizona Coyotes
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Washington Capitals
9. Detroit Red Wings
10. St. Louis Blues
11. Vancouver Canucks
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Nashville Predators
16. Calgary Flames
17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)
18. Winnipeg Jets
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
20. Seattle Kraken
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Los Angeles Kings)
23. New York Rangers
24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)
25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)
29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)
30. Carolina Hurricanes
31. Florida Panthers
32. Vegas Golden Knights