Brantford Bulldogs fans are enjoying the look of Adam Jiricek to start the 2025-26 season. After missing significant time last year, Jiricek was unable to display the offensive pedigree he carries, and finished the year with only 12 points in 27 games. To kick off the new campaign, the younger Jiricek has already lit the lamp twice, and added three helpers for five points in seven games. This paces him for a great improvement on the previous season.

Adam Jiricek could not catch a break last year. He struggled greatly with injuries that knocked him out of far too many games. Of a potential 68 OHL games that Jiricek could have played in, he only got into 27 of them. When at the World Juniors, Jiricek was Czechia’s most productive defenseman, which proved he could still excel on the world stage. Since early in his draft year, Jiricek has added over 25 lbs of muscle and still has room for more, considering how tall he is. While his production in the OHL left much to be desired, this player consistently suffered from injuries, which would then lead to reinjuries, repeating the cycle. He was never close to 100%. Despite this, in the games he did play, he was rock-solid defensively and a physical and defensive stalwart. Hopefully, next year, Jiricek can stay healthy and prove what he can be.

The younger Jiricek was selected by the Blues at #16.

Jiricek has struggled this season, hesitation has plagued his on-puck game in our viewings and the flashes of confidence and offensive play-driving he showed at the Hlinka over the summer have been few and far between in league play this year, both at the pro and U20 levels. That said, his tools forced our hand in keeping him inside our top 15. Few sub-160 lbs players are as vicious on a shift-to-shift basis as the younger Jiricek, his physicality is already a clear strength so once he adds 30-40 lbs to his frame, he’s going to be a scary sight. He uses his physicality intelligently too, always looking to separate player from puck. He covers a lot of ice despite his awkward stride mechanics and his strong edgework allows him to fluidly redirect his momentum, allowing him to physically adapt very quickly, but his anticipation doesn’t yet allow him to fully weaponize this tool. When he’s confident and making quick decisions, Jiricek has all the tools to become a capable two-way #2 or #3 defenseman, but questions remain for us. Most of those pertain to the mental side of the game. From missing secondary scoring threats to becoming a deer in the headlights under pressure while stationary, Jiricek has a few hurdles to overcome, but we have seen enough flashes to believe that there is a real chance he does so. (November Rankings: 14th Overall)

Jiricek has four or more shots on goal in more than half his games in the fledgling season, and is showing much more confidence than a year ago. With a Bulldogs powerplay that boasts Adam Benak, Jake O’Brien and Marek Vanacker, if Jiricek can capitalize on being their quarterback with the man advantage, he should be a strong riser this season. If he is unowned in your league, now is the time to stash him and bet on him improving his stock over the course of the year.