The former Portland Winterhawks captain has played 18 games for the Sharks this season.
The Vancouver Canucks added to their defensive depth on Friday by acquiring Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks. In return, Vancouver parted with Jack Studnicka, who had been playing in the AHL for the last month. Cicek, who is set to turn 24 in May, is in the final year of his entry-level contract and is waiver-exempt.
Listed at 6'3" and 201 pounds, Cicek is a physical left-shot defenceman. He spent his junior career with the Portland Winterhawks before earning a contract as an undrafted player with the San Jose Barracuda before the 2021-22 campaign. After a strong rookie season in the AHL, he signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Sharks last season, making his NHL debut on November 15, 2022, against the Vegas Golden Knights. This year, he has spent the entire season in the AHL, recording three points and 21 penalty minutes in 18 games.
The addition of Cicek should help Vancouver in a multitude of ways. Starting with the AHL, he adds some toughness and size to the Abbotsford Canucks blue line and should help them on the penalty kill. As for the NHL club, he is an easy call-up that the organization does not have to worry about losing on waivers.
Overall, this is a smart trade by Patrick Allvin. Not only were they able to move on from Studnicka, but they were also able to acquire a late-round draft pick in the deal. While the trade may not greatly impact the NHL club, it strengthens the organization and adds depth at a key position.