BULLDOGS SELECT PAIR OF CZECH DEFENDERS IN CHL IMPORT DRAFT
Following the graduation of Dallas Stars’ 2021 2nd round selection & 2022 OHL Champion Artem Grushnikov, the Brantford Bulldogs went into the 2023 CHL Import Draft with selections to be made at 19th & 79th overall.
With the 19th overall selection the Bulldogs picked right handed defenseman Adam Jiricek from HC Plzen in the Czech Extraliga where the outstanding blueliner split his season between the U20 & senior teams. After winning the Czech U17 Championship with HC Plzen in 2022, Jiricek jumped up to the U20 level for his 16-year-old season, racking up 12 goals & 17 assists for 29 points in 41 games, earning his promotion and 12 games in the Extraliga where he posted a pair of assists. Finishing the season, Jiricek skated in the playoffs with HC Plzen’s U17 side where he posted a goal & 12 assists for 13 points in 8 playoff games.
With the 19th overall selection in the 2023 #CHLImportDraft the Brantford Bulldogs are proud to select defenseman Adam Jiricek from HC Plzen.#WeBuild | #DawgMentality pic.twitter.com/WIglGSGIvM
— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) July 5, 2023
On the international stage, Jiricek represented Czechia at both the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he posted a goal and an assist in 6 games while serving as an assistant captain, and the U18 World Hockey Championship, recording an assist in 5 games. Jiricek is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman & 2022 6th overall pick David Jiricek.
What a play by Adam Jiricek.🇨🇿😲 @narodnitym #SWECZE #U18MensWorlds
Skvělá akce v podání Adama Jiříčka.👏 pic.twitter.com/6200dIJLVW
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 23, 2023
The Bulldogs were back on the clock in the 2nd round with the 79th overall selection went 100km north from Plzen to Chomutov, Czechia selecting right-handed defenseman Dominik Badinka who spent the 2022-23 season with the legendary Jokerit Helsinki U20 squad.
With the 79th overall selection in the 2023 #CHLImportDraft, the Brantford Bulldogs are proud to select defenseman Dominik Badinka from Jokerit U20.#WeBuild | #DawgMentality pic.twitter.com/nhrAEjBoMg
— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) July 5, 2023
During the 2021-22 season, Badinka led the Czech U17 league in assists, 43, & points, 55, by a defenseman for his hometown club Pirati Chomutov. After being called up during the season to both the U20 & professional levels for Chomutov with strong results, Badinka made the decision to move to Finland for his 17-year-old season.
Joining the legendary Jokerit Helsinki club at the U20 level, Badinka was immediately productive, posting 5 goals & 21 assists for 26 points across 43 games, leading his team in defensive scoring. Badinka posted an additional goal and 3 assists in 12 playoff games and skating to a plus-4 showing his skills at both ends of the rink. The 6’2” defender also represented Czechia at the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, skating in 5 games and posting a pair of assists.
Dominik Badinka is fun to watch.
A few clips from yesterday’s game vs. Team USA highlighting his active stick, mobility, physical play, zone exit/entry and transition through the neutral zone.#2024NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/HrpL9YaSqu
— Czech Prospects (@CZprospects) November 9, 2022
Jiricek & Badinka join an already rich history of Bulldogs talent coming from Czechia following current Arizona Coyotes center Jan Jenik, who skated in 54 games as a Bulldogs, posting 86 points, and 2022 OHL Champion & current Montreal Canadiens prospect Jan Mysak, who recorded 89 points in 83 games with another 11 points in 17 playoff games. Additionally, Mysak scored one of the biggest goals in Bulldogs history with the overtime winner in the 2022 Memorial Cup semi-final.
The Bulldogs are excited to select both Adam & Dominik and hope to see them both continue their development in Black & Gold.
