PROSPECT PROFILE: DAVID SPACEK
Sep 15, 2023The Minnesota Wild currently have one of the highest-ranked prospect pools in the NHL. Over the next few seasons, fans in Des Moines will have the opportunity to see these touted players develop as members of the Iowa Wild. As the 2023-24 season approaches, iowawild.com will feature several profiles of players in the system who are breaking into professional hockey.
DAVID SPACEK: BY THE NUMBERS
Born: Feb. 18, 2003
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 174 lbs
Draft Position: Round 5 (#153 overall), 2022 NHL Entry Draft
DAVID’S GAME
Spacek says that he is a two-way defenseman who takes opportunities to go forward but never forgets about his primary obligations.
“Everyone likes to score goals and get assists,” Spacek said. “Ultimately, my role is to play defense, and there’s a lot to do there.
Spacek played his youth hockey in Czechia before spending the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with Sherbrook in the QMJHL and leading the team’s defensemen in points during both years. He made a major splash at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships, where he totaled eight points (3-5=8) in seven games with Czechia and won a silver medal.
SEASON PREPARATION
Spacek says that he anticipates the size and speed of the professional game will be the most challenging adjustment as he breaks into professional hockey.
“The pace will be faster and the older players will be much bigger than in junior hockey,” Spacek said. “I’m getting ready to get hit.”
While other rookies will need to get used to playing far away from home, Spacek has a head start on his peers. After going undrafted in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, he chose to come to across the Atlantic to play major junior hockey in Canada.
“It was a big adjustment and my first time being away from family,” Spacek said. “It was tough, but I think I handled it well. I learned to cook for myself and take care of myself. I really liked it there and I’m glad I went.”
CONNECTIONS
Spacek was born in Ohio, while his father, Yaroslav Spacek, was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Like his son, the elder Spacek represented the Czech Republic in the 1994 IIHF World Junior Championships and went on to play in 880 NHL games. The Spacek family moved back to Europe after Yaroslav retired and while David was in the 4th grade.
Multiple Sherbrooke teammates, including Joe Fleming (Henderson Silver Knights) Tyson Hinds (San Diego Gulls) and Jacob Melanson (Coachella Valley Firebirds) are slated to break into the AHL this season. Jakub Brabenec, who played with Spazek on the Czechia World Junior team, is also expected to join Henderson.
UP NEXT
Stay tuned for coverage of Minnesota Wild training camp!