Jiří Kulich (born 14 April 2004) is a Czech professional ice hockey centre for the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 28th overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Jiří Kulich | |||
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Born |
(2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 18) Kadaň, Czech Republic | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
Weight | 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb) | ||
Position | Centre | ||
Shoots | Left | ||
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams |
Buffalo Sabres Rochester Americans (AHL) HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ||
NHL Draft |
28th overall, 2022 Buffalo Sabres | ||
Playing career | 2020–present |
Kulich made his professional debut for HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga during the 2020–21 season where he appeared in eight games.[1][2] During the 2021–22 season he recorded nine goals and five assists in 49 games. He was drafted in the first-round, 28th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.[3]
On 15 July 2022, Kulich embarked on his North American career after he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres.[4]
Kulich represented the Czech Republic at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in four games.[5] He again represented Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships where he served as captain. He led the tournament in goals with nine and was subsequently named tournament MVP.[6] He will represent the Czech Republic at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[7]
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
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Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
2020–21 | Pirati Chomutov | Czech.20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2020–21 | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ELH | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2020–21 | SK Trhači Kadaň | Czech.1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2021–22 | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ELH | 49 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
2021–22 | HC Karlovy Vary | Czech.20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
ELH totals | 57 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Czech Republic | U18 | 7th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2021 | Czech Republic | HG18 | 6th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
2022 | Czech Republic | U18 | 4th | 6 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 2 | |
2022 | Czech Republic | WJC | 4th | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | |
Junior totals | 21 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 4 |
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by | Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick 2022 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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