The Minnesota Wild have signed 22-year-old goalie Samuel Hlavaj to a two-year, entry-level contract that starts in the 2024-25 season. Hlavaj has played in North America previously, both in the USHL and the QMJHL. Most recently, Hlavaj played in the Czech Extraliga. During 28 games, he had a 3.10 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. He was signed as a European free agent.
Hlavaj played in three games with Slovakia at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. During those games, he had a 2.22 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. Hlavaj played for the Sherbrooke Phoenix from 2019-21. During the 2019-20 season, Hlavaj led the QMJHL in goals against average with 2.25 and was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. He was also named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the QMJHL.
Hlavaj also played in the Under-20 IIHF World Junior Championships for Slovakia in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He also played in two Under-18 IIHF World Junior Championships in 2018 and 2019.
Before this signing, the Wild organization only had Jepser Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson under contract. This signing won’t affect NHL goalie decisions for the Minnesota Wild but gives them the option of pulling him up if needed. With his young age, Hlavaj has plenty of time for more development. This signing means he will be playing in the AHL with the Iowa Wild and the other goalie prospects in the system are moving on.
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