Jiri Tichacek

Czech Republic U18

International

5’9″

170

Kladno

2003

2020-2021: B

Jiri is a puck-moving defender standing at 5’9’’ and 170 pounds. The Czech left-shot played this past season for Rytiri Kladno in the Czech U20 and Czech 2 League. He also played nine games Internationally, including five at the U18s. He is scheduled to play again for Kladno in the U20 and Czech 1 League next season. He is offensively minded and has a short, choppy stride. Moves fairly well and has a quick first step which lets him close on forwards and get to space. He walks the offensive blue line well and makes good decisions to keep plays moving. Snaps passes to teammates and looks to sneak back door. He is creative and used on the Power Play. He sees the ice well and looks to make plays cross- ice to change the angle of attack. He works hard in his own zone but is overpowered at times playing against bigger players. He is aggressive and keeps good gaps and spacing. Defends with his feet and forces forwards to the perimeter of the rink. He is smart and plays a slid game positionally.

U18 World Championship: Team USA vs the Czech Republic Team, May 2021: Tichacek is a smaller defenseman but plays bigger than he is and has good offensive abilities. He is smart from the back end and reads the play extremely well in front of him, often stepping up to intercept passes or disrupt plays made up his side of the ice. He is aggressive in the offensive zone and doesn’t hesitate to get involved in the offence, which is evidenced by his five shots on the net. With the puck on his stick, he is smart and consistently makes good decisions. When available, he always takes the option to put the puck towards the net and look to create second chances for his forwards in front. Defensively, he has an active stick and uses his feet well to close space and eliminate options for opponents. Overall, Tichacek is a smart, mobile, competitive defenseman who is possibly the most complete player on the Czech team, aside from his size. Grade: A