Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich has been named to the American Hockey League’s inaugural Top Prospects Team.
Kulich, 19, had 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 62 regular season games in his rookie season with the Rochester Americans and added 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 12 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. His six-game goal streak in the postseason tied the AHL’s longest run since Peter Holland with the Toronto Marlies in 2014.
He had six goals and 16 points in 24 games before departing for the World Junior Championship, where he won a silver medal with Team Czechia. It was the country’s first medal since winning bronze in 2005 and its first appearance in the gold medal game since 2001. Kulich’s game-winning goal with 50 seconds left in overtime in the semifinal against Sweden, which included fellow Sabres prospect/Amerks teammate Isak Rosén, propelled Czechia to the final.
His seven goals and 39 shots in seven games in the tournament were second only to top NHL Draft prospect Connor Bedard, the expected No. 1 pick, who had nine and 44, respectively.
The tournament proved to be a turning point in his season. Kulich returned to the Amerks and scored in his second game back and finished the regular season with 18 goals and 30 points in his final 38 games.
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