David Jiricek is the newest member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The club selected Jiricek, a defenseman, sixth overall, and the first of two first-round picks the Jackets are scheduled to make tonight (they also select 12th). Jiricek is from Czechia and spent the previous two seasons playing for HC Plzen in Czechia, scoring eight goals and 20 points in 63 regular-season games in addition to one assist in two playoff games.
Here are two excerpts from 1OB's own Dan Greene's piece on Jiricek in our 'Names To Know' series (click here for the full piece):
The only concern about Jiricek is that he injured his knee and had surgery on it back in January, but he came back in March and has played 29 games for his club, HC Skoda Plezn. Therefore most concerns about how his knee would affect him going forward have been abated.
Jiricek may not have as high of a ceiling as some of the defenders that have come out of the draft in recent years, but he is big, tough, aggressive, and possesses a developing offensive game as well. Most scouts see his ceiling as a top pairing defenseman, even if it is unlikely that he will turn into a star.
Dmy a pnov, tohle je David Jiek - nejhavj esk elzko v ohni letonho #NHLDraft!
— NHL esko (@NHLcz) July 2, 2022
@sportCT pic.twitter.com/hDOASNV8MA
