Wild sign a 6'8" monster of a goaltender

This just in, the Minnesota Wild have signed 6'8", 230 lb goaltender Filip Ruzicka to a three year, entry level contract.

From the Wild's press release statement:

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed goaltender Filip Ruzicka to a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2026-27 season.

Ruzicka, 18 (3/24/08), played in 42 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season, compiling a 26-14-1 record, 3.19 goals-against average (GAA) and two shutouts while ranking T-7th in the WHL with a .906 save percentage (SV%). The 6-foot-8, 229-pound native of Trinec, Czechia, also started four games in the 2026 WHL playoffs for Brandon, recording a 2.47 GAA and .936 SV%.

Prior to his time with Brandon, Ruzicka spent the 2024-25 season with Mountfield HK of the Czechia U17 league where he posted a record of 23-15-0 with a 1.80 GAA, a .943 SV% and five shutouts in 38 games. He ranked second among all goaltenders in wins, GAA and SV% and was T-3rd in shutouts. The Wild selected Ruzicka in the fifth round (No. 137 overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 18 year old is expected to return to the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings for the 2026-27 season, but will get a look from the Wild's coaching staff at training camp later this summer.