"Nick has a strong track record of leadership in his career, having been the captain of the Portland Winterhawks last season, and he has even been an alternate captain for the Barracuda this year in select games," said Will. "Among AHL rookie defensemen, he's top 10 in scoring and top 15 in goals. Nick has a bright future and we're excited to add him to our NHL defensive depth."
In his first pro campaign, Cicek, 21, has recorded 23 points (five goals, 18 assists), 60 penalty minutes, one power-play goal, one game-winning goal, and 61 shots in 48 games with the San Jose Barracuda, San Jose's top developmental affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Among team defensemen, he is second in points, second in shots, tied for first in assists, and tied for second in penalty minutes. Among league rookie defenders, he is ninth in scoring and tied for 11th in goals.
In 2020-21, his final season of junior hockey, Cicek served as the captain of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL), posting 21 points (five goals, 16 assists), 46 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 24 games. Among WHL defensemen, Cicek finished sixth in scoring, tied for fourth in goals, tied for sixth in assists, fourth in shots (72), and first in penalty minutes (46).
Over his three years in the WHL, all with Portland, the undrafted blueliner skated in 138 regular season games, collecting 48 points (nine goals, 39 assists), 197 penalty minutes and a plus-62 rating.
The Barracuda originally signed the six-foot-one, 200-pound, native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on May 20, 2021.
