NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Dalibor Dvorsky wasn't worried.
He knew there was a good chance he'd go pretty quickly.
The St. Louis Blues obliged, taking the Zvolen, Slovakia native with the 10th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena.
Dvorsky, who just turned 18 on June 15, was projected to be selected anywhere from as high as No. 6 to the low-to-mid teens.
The Blues found themselves a one of the top-rated European skaters, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound center who finished last season for AIK of the Swedish-2 League.
"They're getting a really good offensive player with a good shot, a high IQ and a two-way guy," Dvorsky said. "I just want to win, every single game, and that's what I'm going to try to do.
"It was amazing. It's hard to describe it. I was extremely happy. I felt like they were interested. I talked to them a few times. I'm super happy to be with the Blues.
"I was calm. I didn't think too much. Just happy to be (with) the Blues. That's all I'm thinking right now."
Dvorsky was part of a Swedish contingency among the Blues, who had three first-round picks on Day 1.
They went for Swedish center Otto Stenberg at pick No. 25 (5-11, 185), and then selected Swedish defenseman Theo Lindstein with Pick No. 29 (6-0, 185).
Perhaps it coincided with the Blues hiring Alexander Steen, who won the Stanley Cup in St. Louis in 2019, as a European player development consultant earlier this week.
"We have probably the most experienced European developmental coaches in the history of the game, so we wanted to put them to work," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong joked. "I think it's always great when you can bring in championship players into your group, He's been very connected with our teamsince he's retired. We talk quite a bit. He's excited to get back into the game on a more regular basis. He's done a lot of work for his home team. When Tony and I talked about bringing him in, he's such a great mentor for our younger players. He's helping the Swedish under-20 team to pick that team, so he's connected with this age group. It's a real bonus to have him back in the fold."
The Blues had their allotment of picks to take at No. 10, and they took each down to the wire before making their selections.
But at No. 10, Dvorsky, who was ranked as the third European skater behind Leo Carlsson and Matvei Michkov, was someone the Blues targeted and were hopeful he'd be at No. 10.
"He's a tremendous player with character, two-way ability," Blues director of amateur scouting Tony Feltrin said. "He proved at the U-18 versus his age group the scoring ability, makes tremendous plays, makes players around himself better. Lots of potential there, really liked the player."
Dvorsky, who had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 38 regular-season games with AIK last season, was an avid Blues fan during their Cup run in 2019.
"I heard it's an awesome city. It's a great organization and I'm just so proud to be there," Dvorsky said. "They probably had the best Stanley Cup run ever. I'm just super-honored to be a Blue.
"I remember that they were like maybe last, but then, they won. It was amazing to watch that. I watched it all, it was great.
"I'll just do anything to win every single game and that's what I'm going to try to do. I want to win every game and be the best player possible. I'm just so looking forward to come to St. Louis and meet all of the fans."
With the 18-year-old Stenberg, who split last season with Frolunda Jr. and Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League where he had three points (one goal, two assists) in 23 games, it was a slow start to his season before really picking it up with the junior team, where he finished with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 29 games.
"It was amazing, super-excited (to get drafted)," Stenberg said. "I'm super, super happy. I'm a two-way forward. I think I have my strengths in the offensive zone to create scoring chances for me and myself. I can play good all over the ice.
"The beginning of the season was tough, but I think it went better. I ended up better the last couple months. It was good."
Stenberg was ranked sixth among European skaters and someone that the Blues scouted extensively.
"Terrific player, leadership, two-way ability with some scoring finish," Feltrin said of Stenberg. "Also combined with top-end linemates, smart player, two-way detail, good, competitiveness. Not 6-feet, but he plays big enough, an all-around good hockey player."
The 18-year-old Lindstein and Stenberg have been close friends for roughly six years; Lindstein opened last season with Brynas Jr. before being promoted to Brynas of the SHL, playing in 32 games.
"Theo's a real intelligent hockey player, puck-moving defenseman combined with [Axel] Sandin-Pellinka to form a tremendous duo for the Swedish U-18 team in all the tournaments we attended through the season," Feltrin said. "Very efficient player with his puck movement and his hockey sense, smarts. He needs some physical maturity, but he'll get that in due course."
The look on Stenberg's face when he realized
"Was Lindstein picked by St. Louis," Stenberg asked. "That's fantastic. We are really good friends and same with Dalibor. We played in some tournaments when we were younger. I know him really, really well.
"He's a really smart d-man. He can play good all over the ice. Good first pass, a good all-around d-man."
Lindstein was also pleased to hear some familiar faces will be joining him in the Blues organization.
"That's pretty cool," Lindstein said. "We know each other very well from the national team back home. We played against each other a few times back home in Sweden. That's very cool. It's a great thing to have him with me. I hope it's the same for him."
All three first-round picks will attend Blues prospect camp starting on Saturday.