MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Juraj Pekarcik already spent one year in North America in 2023-24, after making the jump from Europe to begin his trek towards making it to the NHL when the St. Louis Blues selected the forward in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old spent a season in Dubuque of the United States Hockey League, and although it was a successful season (nine goals, 50 assists; 43 games) for the 6-foot-1, 183-pound wing, making the decision to play junior hockey turned out to be even more beneficial.

Pekarcik, with the help from his agent Gerry Johansson, who collaborated with the Blues to get Pekarcik to play for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and not only did Pekarcik's game grow, he played important minutes for a side that won the QMJHL and competed for the Memorial Cup.

They were important games and important roles that Pekarcik grew into well.

"I feel like it was a great season for us, for the team," Pekarcik said last week at Blues development camp, his third and final one. "We won the (QMJHL) championship so a great experience for me. I learned from the year. I wish we could (have won) the Memorial Cup, but it was a great season.

"It was a pleasure for me to play in the Mem Cup. It was a great experience, and the teams were really good. London and Medicine Hat. I wish we could have been better and won the Mem Cup, but it was a great experience."

Pekarcik, who has also played for Slovakia in the past two U20 World Junior Championships, would greatly benefit from his one season with the Wildcats, finishing with 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 53 regular-season games and a plus-34 rating; he would add 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists in 19 playoff games, helping Moncton win the title for the first time since 2009-10.

"I feel like I grow a lot," Pekarcik said. "I improved a lot of things in my game. The coaches there in Moncton helped me a lot, really a lot. I improved in the D-zone most probably. That's what I needed the most. I'm trying to improve everything. My shots on goals. Last year I had nine goals, this (past) year I had 24, so I think I improved that. I'm so happy for it.

"Yeah, it was a great move. It was. It was my agent and St. Louis Blues decision, and I was so happy for it. It was a great year for me, great year."

But as much as good times last, they also come to an end and a new chapter opens. For Pekarcik, it's time to turn pro; he will be at main training camp once again, and depending on his performance while in St. Louis, it will determine where his playing address will be for 2025-26.

"Yes, I'm always ready," Pekarcik said. "It was always my dream. I hope I'm going to make it. I can't wait.

"I feel like I need to play more physical during games and I'm going to try and improve that for sure, but overall, everything I need to improve and to be the best if I want to be in the NHL, so I'll do everything to be an NHL player one day."

As is the case with all their prospects, management will not rush the forward, but they recognized the success he had in his only season of junior hockey and realize the next step is necessary.

"Yeah, he had a great year," Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. "They raved about his character. His teammates loved him. He was really good in the playoffs for them. He was the type of kid that plays really big in big games, hard-nosed and has a nose for the net. We're excited for him. Obviously a steppingstone. This (was) his third camp. He's going to turn pro this year, and we have a lot of young kids turning pro this year so we're excited with that.

"Obviously he'll be coming to training camp and make a big impression on us. We expect him to turn pro and have a good year."

Pekarcik is likely to begin the season in Springfield of the American Hockey League but seeing how he's progressed each step the Blues have laid out for him will only fuel his fire since he will be one step away from the pinnacle of his dreams.

But in the meantime, he was able to enjoy another strong development camp, with many of the prospects that have the same aspirations as he does.

"I was so happy to come again," Pekarcik said. "It was a great experience. It's a pleasure for me to be here again. I'm so thankful. I just want(ed) to enjoy this one more time, the boys. I'm so happy here. I've learned so much from being here for these.

"I'm going to make it. I'll do everything I possibly can to be here. This is the next step, I have to be my best."