David Špaček is a Czech-American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on February 18, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio, he holds dual heritage and represents Czechia internationally.
Špaček shoots right and is known for his strong puck-moving abilities, solid defensive play, and offensive contributions from the blue line.
He was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Siblings
David has one younger brother, Jacob Špaček.
The brothers grew up in a hockey-centric family, with their father Jaroslav Špaček being a former longtime NHL defenseman.
While Jacob has been mentioned alongside David in family contexts, he has not pursued a prominent professional hockey career in the same spotlight as his older brother.
Career
Špaček began his junior career in Czech youth systems before moving to North America.
He played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where he excelled offensively for a defenseman.
In the 2022–23 season, he recorded 13 goals and 44 assists in 58 games, leading Sherbrooke’s defensemen in points in back-to-back seasons.
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After being drafted by the Minnesota Wild, he signed a three-year entry-level contract and turned professional in 2023.
He split time between the AHL’s Iowa Wild and the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders in his early pro seasons.
In 2024–25, he emerged as a top contributor for Iowa, leading the team’s defensemen in assists (27) and points (31) while playing a full 72-game schedule.
His strong play earned him recognition, including selection to Czechia’s national teams.
Špaček made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild on January 15, 2026, against the Winnipeg Jets, becoming the first former Iowa Heartlanders player to reach the NHL.
He has seen limited NHL action so far but continues to develop in the AHL, where he has accumulated solid numbers as an offensive-minded defenseman.
In early 2026, he was also named to Czechia’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, continuing his family’s Olympic tradition.
Accolades
Špaček was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team in 2022 and consistently led his junior team’s defensemen in scoring.
Internationally, he represented Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2022 and 2023, contributing eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) and helping win a silver medal in 2023.
In 2024, he was part of Czechia’s gold-medal winning team at the IIHF World Championship.
At the AHL level, his 2024–25 season stood out as he paced Iowa Wild defensemen in key offensive categories.
His selection to the Czech Olympic team for 2026 marks another significant milestone in his young career.
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