Prospect Report: Jiricek's first pro season already a memorable one

It seems likely that sooner rather than later, David Jiricek will be a dependable fixture in the Blue Jackets lineup.
But for now, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft is making the most of every opportunity given to him.

So far this season with Cleveland, the defenseman has been one of the top players in the American Hockey League at just 19 years old, and he's the second youngest player to be named to take part in the AHL All-Star Game in the modern era.
He's also coming off a World Juniors tournament in December and January in which he turned heads, posting three goals and seven points in seven games to help push Czechia to its first medal since 2005. His home country stunned Canada by a 5-2 score to open the popular U-20 tournament, went 3-0-1 in the group stage, then beat Switzerland and Sweden in the knockout round to make it to the final. There, Czechia came from behind to push Canada to overtime, but the home team scored in extra time to earn gold.
While Czechia won its first medal in 18 years, Jiricek -- who was named the top defenseman at the tournament -- was left disappointed by being so close to victory only to fall just short.
"It's great, but it still hurts, honestly," Jiricek told Dylan Tyrer in the latest edition of the Pipeline Podcast.

Still, Jiricek had an impressive tournament, including scoring the game-tying goal in the semifinal against Sweden in the final minute. It was part of a memorable run for the Czechs, who built from the opening game victory as the tournament went on.
"After that we had so much confidence for the next games," Jiricek said. "After this game, we could say that we could bring the medal home. After that game we had so much confidence the rest of the tournament."
Jiricek has played a pair of games with the Blue Jackets this year, but the thought is he'll continue to be one of the top players in the AHL for the rest of the season before becoming a CBJ mainstay for years to come. Hear about his journey from his home in Klatovy, Czechia, to becoming one of the top picks in the 2022 draft, how he's adjusting to Cleveland, and much more in the Pipeline Podcast.
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The Pipeline Podcast: David Jiricek

Monsters Update

Jiricek's adjustment to the North American pro game has helped the Monsters along, but the team is trying to find a groove coming out of the holidays.
Cleveland has won just two of its seven games in January thus far, splitting a pair of contests last weekend on the road before last night's 3-1 home loss vs. Lehigh Valley. The Monsters posted a 2-1 victory Friday at Belleville, but couldn't keep the momentum going, dropping a 6-2 contest Saturday at Laval.
That leaves the Monsters at 14-17-2-2 through 35 games, with 37 still to play. Cleveland currently sits in last in the seven-team North Division, but the squad is just five points behind fourth-place Syracuse.
Cleveland couldn't find the net until 20 seconds remained last night against the Phantoms, with Owen Sillinger tallying. By then, it was a 3-0 hole for the Monsters, who did get 28 saves from Jet Greaves.
Over the weekend, Josh Dunne was the hero in the win over the B-Sens, scoring both goals in the 2-1 victory. He started the scoring in the second period with a power-play goal, then posted the game-winning tally while shorthanded at 12:29 of the third. Pavel Cajan made 32 saves in the victory. Against Laval, Trey Fix-Wolansky and Robbie Payne scored, but Alex Belzile's hat trick paced the Rocket.
Cleveland plays at home again tonight against Lehigh Valley, then will play Saturday and Sunday at Charlotte.

Notes

• The battle for the CHL scoring championship may come down to two notable names -- the presumed top overall pick in the 2023 draft, Connor Bedard of Regina of the WHL, and 2022 CBJ third-round pick Jordan Dumais of the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. Bedard currently leads with 78 points, while Dumais is right behind with 76. Dumais had multiple points in all six December games he skated with the Mooseheads and now has 4-4-8 in five January games, giving him a 31-45-76 line in 36 games this season.
• CBJ 2022 second-round draft pick Luca Del Bel Belluz was recently on the move, as he was traded from Mississauga to Sarnia as the Sting tries to capture an OHL championship. Del Bel Belluz had 20 goals in 34 games with the Steelheads and now has four assists in his first four games with Sarnia. The Sting currently sit fifth in the OHL Western Conference.
• Blue Jackets 2022 fifth-round pick Sergei Ivanov has earned his first career KHL win with SKA St. Petersburg. The goalie stopped 24 of 25 shots in his first career start Jan. 15 vs. Amur Khabarovsk. Ivanov has now played in five KHL games with SKA, posting a 1.12 GAA and .957 save percentage. Ivanov, 18, has played 12 games this season in the top minor league in Russia and five more with SKA's junior squad.