# David Špaček

David Špaček (born 18 February 2003) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL), as a prospect for 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.

## 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.

## 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.
On 3 May 2024, he was named to Czech Republic's roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He recorded five assists in ten games and won a gold 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 |
| 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 | — | — | — | — | — |
| AHL totals | AHL totals | AHL totals | 61 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — |

### 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 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 17 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
| Senior totals | Senior totals | Senior totals | Senior totals | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |