The St. Louis Blues have signed 2024 first-round pick Adam Jiricek to his entry-level contract (Twitter link). Jiricek becomes the first prospect from his draft class to sign an entry-level deal, even beating out unanimous first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
To see Jiricek become the first of his class to sign is a bit of a surprise after a lower-body injury ended his season in December. He played in just 22 league games this year – split between three outings in Czechia’s U20 league and 19 in the Czechia Extraliga. Jiricek scored just one assist in those appearances. His low scoring continued through international play, with Jiricek failing to score in 10 games with Czechia’s U20 team but recording four points in nine games with their U18 squad.
The allure of Jiricek – aside from the precedent set by his brother David Jiricek – is undoubtedly his performance in his age-17 season. He was among Czechia’s best prospects that year, posting 29 points in 41 U20 games and two assists in 12 Extraliga games. That scoring still doesn’t illicit much – but it was a promising start when combined with just how smooth and strong Jiricek’s ability to shut down opponents looked. He thrived at stopping opponents at the blue-line, keeping them from ever setting up too much in his own zone. When he won the puck back, Jiricek was quick to get his head up and find the right play – all boosted by strong edges and open hips giving Jiricek seamless skating.
But it’s never easy to bet on injury, especially with a top-20 pick, like the Blues have with Jiricek. With his entry-level contract in place, the Blues could be gearing up to either bring Jiricek over to their farm system, where the team could ensure he bounces back from a long stint off, or they could be preparing to send him to the CHL, where his rights are owned by the Brantford Bulldogs. That will be the next stop for Blues fans to watch for, as they wait with baited breath to see how their latest first-round pick will pan out.
That ELC is for you picking him there Gabe!
Why wouldn’t a European be the first to sign? Beating out Celebrini to the dotted line is no great feat, when one might expect that Celebrini might still be mulling over whether to stay in college, and doesn’t fancy playing for a bottom feeder in the other Bay. The moment he signs, his career at BU is over.
(Granted, as a Northeastern alum and one-time Huskies season ticket holder, that sounds good to me.)
Oh certainly! I more meant it’s a shock to see the player in the Draft who played the least is now the first to sign – even above a player who (while not official) seems destined for a starring NHL role next year!
Hopefully a good sign for Blues fans… right? Right..??