# Jiří Kulich

Jiří Kulich (born 14 April 2004) is a Czech professional ice hockey centre for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 28th overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

## Playing career

Kulich made his professional debut for HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga during the 2020–21 season where he appeared in eight games. During the 2021–22 season he recorded nine goals and five assists in 49 games. He was drafted in the first-round, 28th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
On 15 July 2022, Kulich embarked on his North American career after he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres.
On 25 November 2023 during the 2023–24 season, Kulich made his NHL debut with the Sabres against the New Jersey Devils.

## International play

Kulich represented the Czech Republic under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in four games. He again represented Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships where he served as captain. He led the tournament in goals with nine and was subsequently named tournament MVP.
He represented the Czech Republic national junior team at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He again represented the Czech Republic at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded seven goals and two assists in seven games and won a silver medal. He again represented the Czech Republic at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded a team-leading six goals and six assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2020–21 | Piráti Chomutov | CZE U20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ELH | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | SK Trhači Kadaň | Czech.1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ELH | 49 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | HC Karlovy Vary | CZE U20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 62 | 24 | 22 | 46 | 18 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 57 | 27 | 18 | 45 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2023–24 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| ELH totals | ELH totals | ELH totals | 57 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| NHL totals | NHL totals | NHL totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2021 | Czech Republic | U18 | 7th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Czech Republic | HG18 | 6th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | Czech Republic | U18 | 4th | 6 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 2 |
| 2022 | Czech Republic | WJC | 4th | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| 2023 | Czech Republic | WJC | | 7 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
| 2024 | Czech Republic | WJC | | 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 35 | 27 | 17 | 44 | 6 |