Minnesota Wild
· 2026-07-15
Minnesota Wild announced on July 14, 2026 that they have signed 18‑year‑old goaltender Filip Ruzicka to a three‑year entry‑level contract that begins with the 2026‑27 season. The move adds a towering 6‑foot‑8, 229‑pound net‑guardian to a club currently sitting 3rd in the Western Conference with a 46‑24 record and riding a one‑game winning streak.
Filip Ruzicka hails from Třinec, Czechia, and spent the 2025‑26 campaign with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. He posted a 26‑14‑1 record, a 3.19 goals‑against average and two shutouts, while ranking tied‑7th in the league with a .906 save percentage. In the WHL playoffs he lowered his GAA to 2.47 and posted a .936 SV% over four starts. Prior to that, he dominated the Czech U17 league with Mountfield HK, posting a 23‑15‑0 record, 1.80 GAA and a .943 save percentage.
The Wild drafted Ruzicka in the fifth round, 137th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft. Locking him to an entry‑level deal signals confidence that his size and recent performance can translate to the NHL. With the current net‑depth chart featuring veteran Jacob Markström and rising prospect Alex Nedeljkovic, Ruzicka offers a long‑term option that could push the Wild’s goaltending group into the upper‑echelon of the league. His .936 playoff SV% suggests he can thrive under pressure, a trait the Wild hopes to leverage as they chase a deeper postseason run.
Bill Guerin, the Wild’s President of Hockey Operations and GM, emphasized that the contract is a “developmental commitment.” The three‑year term will allow Ruzicka to split time between the AHL affiliate and the NHL roster, gaining experience while the team evaluates his readiness. His height gives the Wild a distinct visual advantage in the crease, potentially improving net coverage on high‑danger shots. If he adapts quickly, he could challenge for a backup role by the 2027‑28 season, giving Markström a reliable partner.
The Wild will integrate Ruzicka into their training camp later this summer, with his first professional assignment likely in the AHL. Meanwhile, the team prepares for its next regular‑season showdown against the Chicago Blackhawks on September 20, 2026. That game will be an early test of how the new signing meshes with the existing roster and coaching staff. Fans can expect the Wild to continue leveraging their strong standing as they aim for a deep playoff push.