Jiří Kulich

Jiří Kulich
Born (2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 20)
Kadaň, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Buffalo Sabres
HC Energie Karlovy Vary
NHL draft 28th overall, 2022
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2020–present

Jiří Kulich (born 14 April 2004) is a Czech professional ice hockey centre for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 28th overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Kulich made his professional debut for HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga during the 2020–21 season where he appeared in eight games.[1][2] During the 2021–22 season he recorded nine goals and five assists in 49 games. He was drafted in the first-round, 28th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL entry draft.[3]

On 15 July 2022, Kulich embarked on his North American career after he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres.[4]

On 25 November 2023 during the 2023–24 season, Kulich made his NHL debut with the Sabres against the New Jersey Devils.[5]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2023 Canada
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Sweden

Kulich represented the Czech Republic under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in four games.[6] He again represented Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships where he served as captain. He led the tournament in goals with nine and was subsequently named tournament MVP.[7]

He represented the Czech Republic national junior team at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[8] He again represented the Czech Republic at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded seven goals and two assists in seven games and won a silver medal. He again represented the Czech Republic at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded a team-leading six goals and six assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Piráti Chomutov CZE U20 5 3 2 5 0 — — — — —
2020–21 HC Energie Karlovy Vary ELH 8 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2020–21 SK Trhači Kadaň Czech.1 10 3 0 3 2 — — — — —
2021–22 HC Energie Karlovy Vary ELH 49 9 5 14 4 3 0 1 1 2
2021–22 HC Karlovy Vary CZE U20 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 1 5 0
2022–23 Rochester Americans AHL 62 24 22 46 18 12 7 4 11 2
2023–24 Rochester Americans AHL 57 27 18 45 26 5 0 2 2 4
2023–24 Buffalo Sabres NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
ELH totals 57 9 5 14 4 3 0 1 1 2
NHL totals 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 Czech Republic U18 7th 4 0 0 0 0
2021 Czech Republic HG18 6th 4 3 1 4 2
2022 Czech Republic U18 4th 6 9 2 11 2
2022 Czech Republic WJC 4th 7 2 6 8 0
2023 Czech Republic WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 7 2 9 2
2024 Czech Republic WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 6 6 12 0
Junior totals 35 27 17 44 6

References

  1. ^ "Scouting Report: Jiří Kulich". smahtscouting.com. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  2. ^ ""Vždycky to byl můj sen," líčí Jiří Kulich po debutu mezi chlapy". piratichomutov.cz (in Czech). 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. ^ Ryndak, Chris (7 July 2022). "Sabres take Kulich 28th overall at 2022 NHL Draft". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Sabres sign first-round picks Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich and Noah Ostlund". Buffalo Sabres. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Hischier has 2 points in return, Devils cruise past Sabres to end skid". National Hockey League. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ^ Robinson, Cam (23 April 2021). "Meet the Team: Czechia's Under-18 World Hockey Championship Roster". eprinkside.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  7. ^ Hriciik, Madison (7 July 2022). "Five things to know about Sabres' No. 28 pick Jiri Kulich". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  8. ^ Kimelman, Adam (25 December 2021). "2022 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
2022 		Succeeded by


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