David Jiricek, a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, has had a bit of an ordeal in getting to the World Junior Hockey Championship tournament in Halifax to play for Czechia.
Like many people, the 19-year-old’s trip was affected by the winter storm, as he made his way from Cleveland (where he plays in the American Hockey League) to Nova Scotia, according to his agent, Allan Walsh. Once he finally got there, he discovered his equipment had not made the trip with him.
Jiricek, who was drafted sixth overall by the Blue Jackets this past summer and is expected to be a key player for Czechia, was given some equipment and was on the ice this morning, and his participation in his team’s opening game against Canada was up in the air earlier, according to Joshua Clipperton of The Canadian Press.
However, Walsh tweeted that the equipment had arrived about five hours prior to puck drop on Monday.
Jiricek has five goals and 15 assists in 19 games with Cleveland so far this season, making him their top point-producing defenceman.
