#21 D, Jan GolicicTeam: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHLHeight/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbsShoots: LeftDOB: June 30th, 2006
Overview:
Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.
#21 D, Jan GolicicTeam: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHLHeight/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbsShoots: LeftDOB: June 30th, 2006
Overview:
Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.
#21 D, Jan GolicicTeam: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHLHeight/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbsShoots: LeftDOB: June 30th, 2006
Overview:
Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.
#21 D, Jan GolicicTeam: Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHLHeight/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbsShoots: LeftDOB: June 30th, 2006
Overview:
Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.
Goličič completed his sophomore season in the QMJHL with an offensively quiet four goals, 31 assists and 35 points in 58 games. He is not and won’t be an offensive dynamo at any level, but is the type of towering, smothering defenseman that every NHL team needs. He is likely a few seasons away from professional hockey, and can use the development time to hone his mobility and reads and increase his chance to make the Lightning’s blueline in the future.
Drafted in the fourth round, 118th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The first pick by the Lightning in 2024, Goličič, a physical 6-6 defenseman with a long reach to poke and force any puck carrier to take wide angles around him. He has better offensive potential than your average mid-round shutdown prospect. A poor skater with bad agility limits what Goličič can do on the ice. Skating is crucial to his future; he will never make it to the NHL if he can’t improve. If he can work on and improve his skating, he will be projected as a bottom-pairing shutdown defenseman. Better skating might be able to unlock more of his offensive game. Goličič will need at least another three years before he might be able to make the Lightning.