David Špaček

David Špaček (born 18 February 2003) is a Czech–American professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Wild, in the fifth round, 153rd overall, in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Špaček played youth hockey in the Czech Republic, before playing two seasons with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). During the 2021–22 season, he recorded 12 goals and 38 assists in 57 games. Following the season he was awarded the Raymond Lagacé Trophy. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded 13 goals and 44 assists in 58 games.

On 8 July 2022, Špaček was drafted in the fifth round, 153rd overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2022 NHL entry draft. On 6 March 2023, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild.

He began the 2023–24 season with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. On 29 November 2023, he was reassigned to the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL. Prior to being reassigned, he recorded one goal and three points in ten games with the Wild. On 4 December 2023, he was recalled by the Wild. Prior to being recalled he recorded two goals in three games with the Heartlanders. He finished his first professional season in North America with three goals and nine assists in 61 games for the Wild.

Špaček played 72 games for the Iowa Wild in the 2024-25 season, recording 31 points. After scoring 19 points in 35 games to start the 2025-26 season, he was recalled to the Wild on 14 January 2026.

International play

Špaček represented Czech Republic at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded one assist in seven games. He again represented the Czech Republic at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded three goals and five assists in seven games and won a silver medal. He tied for third in tournament in scoring by a defenseman and averaged 19:46 minutes of time on ice per game. He recorded five assists in ten games and won a gold medal.

Personal life Špaček is the son of former NHL player Jaroslav Špaček. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, while his father was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2021–22 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 57 12 38 50 44 11 2 11 13 8 2022–23 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 58 13 44 57 30 14 3 5 8 8 2023–24 Iowa Heartlanders ECHL 3 2 0 2 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Iowa Wild AHL 61 3 9 12 21 — — — — — 2024–25 Iowa Wild AHL 72 4 27 31 31 — — — — — 2025–26 Iowa Wild AHL 59 7 29 36 16 — — — — — 2025–26 Minnesota Wild NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — NHL totals 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2021 Czech Republic U18 7th 3 0 0 0 0 2022 Czechia WJC 4th 7 0 1 1 4 2023 Czechia WJC 7 3 5 8 0 2024 Czechia WC 10 0 5 5 0 2025 Czechia WC 6th 8 0 2 2 2 2026 Czechia OG 8th 5 0 1 1 0 Junior totals 17 3 6 9 4 Senior totals 23 0 8 8 2