Minnesota Wild Bring Back David Spacek on a One-Year Deal After His Best Pro Season

David Spacek is staying in the organization. The Wild re-signed the defenseman to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season, PuckPedia reported Thursday. He’ll make $850,000 in the NHL and $110,000 in the AHL.

Spacek, 23, just finished up his entry-level deal. His previous contract carried an average annual value of $875,000. It wasn’t a huge raise, but the two-way structure gives Minnesota flexibility. And honestly, after the season he just had in Iowa, it makes sense to keep him around.

From a late draft pick to a real NHL option

Minnesota grabbed Spacek in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, 153rd overall. That was after he put up 50 points in 57 games with Sherbrooke of the QMJHL. He scored 12 goals that season and finished a plus-21. Not bad for a guy taken that late.

He turned pro in 2023-24 and spent his first full year adjusting to the AHL. Three goals, 12 points, minus-16 in 61 games. That’s not great. But his third pro season? That’s where things clicked. Spacek put up career highs across the board: seven goals, 29 assists, 36 points in 59 games. He improved to a minus-1 rating and tied for third on the Iowa Wild in scoring. That’s real growth.

He also got his first taste of the NHL during the 2025-26 season. Two games. One against Winnipeg, one against Montreal. He averaged just under 11 minutes a night and didn’t score, but he got his feet wet. For a fifth-round pick, that’s a win.

Bloodlines and a busy resume

Spacek was born in Columbus, Ohio. His dad, Jaroslav Spacek, was playing for the Blue Jackets at the time. So he holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Czechia. He grew up mostly in Czechia before coming back to North America for junior hockey.

Over 192 career AHL games, Spacek has 14 goals, 65 assists, and 79 points. He also suited up for Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics. One assist in five games, and the team went out in the quarterfinals to Canada in overtime. Not a bad little run for a guy still trying to stick in the NHL.

The Wild didn’t announce this one with a press release. No quotes. No hand-wringing about his fit. They just made the move and moved on. Spacek gets another chance to prove he belongs. If his trajectory holds, he might not be a two-way contract guy for long.