The Golden Knights have agreed to terms with one of their prospects, announcing the signing of forward Jakub Brabenec to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 19-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Vegas in 2021 (104th overall) after he was able to hold down a somewhat regular role in the Czech Extraliga which is something that typically isn’t the case for draft-eligible players. Brabenec was selected in the first round of the CHL Import Draft back in 2020 and the Golden Knights indicated that their preference was for him to play at the major junior level and that is where he has been since then.
Last season, Brabenec was the QMJHL’s Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players in assists (47) and points (64). He’s on pace for very similar numbers this season as he leads the Charlottetown Islanders with eight goals and 17 assists in 27 games, a pace of 42 assists and 62 points over a full season. Vegas had until June 1st to sign Brabenec but clearly felt they didn’t need to wait that long to make a decision.
Officially, the contract begins this season but since Brabenec is already back in junior, he’s not going to be seeing any NHL action in 2022-23. Accordingly, his deal will be eligible to slide this season and still have three years remaining on it in 2023-24.
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