Top Prospect David Jiricek Hits Rock Bottom With the Minnesota Wild

It's been one setback after another for defenseman David Jiricek, who was the former 6th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Now with the Minnesota Wild organization, Jiricek has struggled to find his footing and has been made a healthy scratch on multiple occasions by the AHL's Iowa Wild.

And now, his year is over. He suffered a lacerated spleen and will be unavailable for the remainder of the schedule - but he's expected to make a full recovery in time for Training Camp this fall.

The Wild made the following announcement:

Jiricek, who helped Team Czechia win a bronze medal at the 2022 IIHF World Championship and a silver medal with the junior national team in the 2023 IIH World Junior Championship, would soon be named the AHL Rookie of the Month for October in 2022 with the Cleveland Monsters.

However, he was traded to the Wild in exchange for Daemon Hunt and a handful of draft selections.

He's struggled to pick up ice time with the Wild, being designated a healthy scratch for a stretch of 9 consecutive games.

He has 7 points, all assists, in 27 games with the Iowa Wild this year; he also had a pair of points (1G, 1A) in 6 games played at the NHL level with the Wild.