The Minnesota Wild announced Monday that it has signed potential defenseman David Spacek to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) beginning in 2023-24.
✍️ SIGNING ✍️
We signed Dr. David Spacek to an entry-level three-year contract.
More » https://t.co/k1EuKxbcB7#mnwild pic.twitter.com/CzMnZFx86i
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 6, 2023
Spacek is the son of former NHL player Jaroslav Spacek. His father spent 13 years in the National Hockey League, playing 880 games and scoring 345 points. The youngest Spacek was born in Columbus, Ohio but played his minor hockey at home in Plzen, Czechia.
Spacek was selected in the second round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft by the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Last season, during his rookie campaign, the defenseman scored 12 goals and 50 points in 57 games and another 13 points in 11 playoff games. Spacek won the QMJHL Raymond Lagacé Trophy, was named the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team.
His totals put him on the scouts’ radar, and the Wild selected Spacek in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. This season, he continued his dominance with 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 49 games this season with the Phoenix. He also won five multipoint matches. According to EliteProspects.com, he should finish the season with 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) in 58 games.
The 6-foot-4, 174-pound defender also represented his native Czechia at the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships. He helped Czechia defeat Canada, stun the world in the round robin and eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games. The Czechs won a silver medal and Spacek was named as one of the team’s top 3 players for his efforts.
