A deep dive into Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Filip Ruzicka.
The WHL is expected to play a significant role in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to draft day, THN's WHL team will be providing profiles on some of the top WHL talent expected to hear their names called in Buffalo at the end of June. Today's profile focuses on Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Filip Ruzicka.
Filip Ruzicka
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 229 lbs
Handedness: Catches Left
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2025-26 Stats: 42 GP | 26-14-1-0 | 3.19 GAA | .906 SV% | 2 Shutouts
Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 229 pounds, the Czech netminder is the tallest goaltender available in the 2026 NHL Draft and one of the largest draft-eligible prospects to enter the league in recent years. But his rookie season with the Wheat Kings proved he is much more than just a massive frame. After missing training camp and arriving late, Ruzicka flat-out stole the starting job and solidified himself as a legitimate NHL prospect.
He finished the regular season with 26 wins in 42 games—highly respectable numbers considering he played behind an offense-first Wheat Kings team that did little to suppress shots. His defining moment came on February 21, when he recorded a brilliant 47-save shutout against the Penticton Vees, proving he could handle a heavy workload and steal games on his own.
Ruzicka's toolkit understandably starts with his coverage. At 6-foot-8, he naturally takes away the net at a rate smaller goalies simply cannot replicate. When he drops into the butterfly, he seals the bottom of the crease effectively while his massive shoulders continue to cover the top corners, forcing shooters to make perfect shots to beat him.
Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
2026 NHL Draft Profiles:
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