The Wild signed free-agent goalie Samuel Hlavaj to a two-year, entry-level contract that begins next season.
Wild sign Slovakian goalie Samuel Hlavaj to entry-level contract
The 22-year-old played on three Slovak world junior tournament teams.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
April 5, 2024 at 3:59PM
The 22-year-old Hlavaj is a 6-4, 193-pound native of Martin, Slovakia. He had a 3.10 goals-against average and .902 save percentage this season in 28 games for HC Škoda Plzeň of the Czech Extraliga. He spent two seasons with HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovakia League before that, with a 2.47 GAA in 27 games.
Hlavaj was Slovakia’s goalie in the world championships last year, and played on three Slovak world junior tournament teams (2019-21).
He played junior hockey for two seasons with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a 3.84 GAA, a .905 save percentage and four shutouts in 59 games. He was named the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019-20.
Veteran Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will be a free agent following this season, while Filip Gustavsson and Iowa goalie Jesper Wallstedt remain under contract.
The star forward came back from a brief injury absence, and two goals from Frederick Gaudreau helped Minnesota to another road victory.
