Minnesota Wild sign David Spacek to entry-level contract

The Minnesota Wild announced Monday that they have signed prospect defenseman David Spacek to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) beginning in 2023-24.

Spacek is the son of former NHLer Jaroslav Spacek. His father, spent 13 years in the National Hockey League appearing in 880 games and totaling 345 points. The younger Spacek was born in Columbus, Ohio, but played his minor hockey back home in Plzen, Czechia. 

Spacek was taken 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 notched 12 goals and 50 points in 57 games and another 13 points in 11 playoff games. Spacek won the QMJHL Raymond Lagace Trophy, was awarded to the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team.

His totals put him on the scouting radar, and the Wild selected Spacek in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. This season, he has continued his dominance tallying 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 49 games this season with the Phoenix. He has also picked up five multipoint games. According to EliteProspects.com, he is projected to finish the season with 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) in 58 games.

The 6-foot-4, 174-pound defenseman also represented his home country of Czechia at the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championship. He helped Czechia defeat Canada, stun the world during round-robin play, and notch eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games. The Czechs won a silver medal and Spacek was named a top-3 player on the team for his efforts.