Continuing to lock up their young talent, the Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with Michael Spacek on a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will see him earn $833K per season. Spacek had previously been playing for the Manitoba Moose under an amateur tryout.
Spacek was drafted in the fourth-round two summers ago, but had been expected to go much higher. He headed into the draft ranked #5 among international skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting, and has shown why in the past couple of seasons. Coming over from the Czech Republic after being drafted, Spacek has suited up for the Red Deer Rebels the past two seasons and is coming off an 85-point performance this year to easily lead the club. Participating in his third straight World Juniors, he once again impressed with his excellent two-way game.
Though at 5’11” he’s not tall, his balance and strength on the puck is very good and he can compete with players much bigger than him. In seven playoff games with the Rebels he registered 12 points, before jumping the Moose to play four games down the stretch. He’ll head to Manitoba again next season and look to continue to perform offensively while honing his already solid defensive game. It’s that responsible defensive presence that will help him make a name for himself in the professional ranks, as he projects to have an NHL future at some point albeit likely not in a top-line role.
Interestingly, Spacek isn’t one of the two remaining players the Jets have to sign before the end of business today as he was drafted out of the European leagues. Despite coming over immediately to play on loan in the CHL, the Jets would have held his rights for four seasons. Now they’ll insert the right-handed shot—who has experience at center and the wing—into their AHL system and see if he can take the next step.