ECHL: Veteran Forward Patrick Bajkov Signs with Jacksonville

Lighting It Up in the ECHL

Bajkov has spent much of his career carving up ECHL defenses. His most prolific year came in 2021–22 with the Reading Royals, where he exploded for 26 goals and 43 assists in 71 games. That 69-point campaign not only led the Royals but also placed him 11th overall in league scoring among all ECHL skaters — and he added another 11 points (3g, 8a) in 13 playoff contests to cap off a standout season (ECHL, 2022).

Before his standout year in Reading, Bajkov made his mark in Greenville. He posted 20 goals and 24 assists in 2019–20, then followed with another strong year in 2020–21, adding 39 points in 53 games. He also chipped in playoff experience both seasons, giving him another layer of big-game maturity. Those back-to-back campaigns cemented his reputation as a consistent top-six contributor.

Since then, Bajkov has taken shorter stints with Rapid City, Cincinnati, and Bloomington, where he remained a reliable offensive presence. He skated in eight games with the Cincinnati Cyclones, posting one assist, before moving on to the Rapid City Rush, where he chipped in a goal and four helpers in 20 appearances. His strongest stretch came with the Bloomington Bison, where he scored eight goals and added seven assists for 15 points in 26 games. While his numbers were spread across multiple teams, Bajkov’s ability to adapt and contribute in different lineups underlines the versatility he brings to Jacksonville this season. Wherever he’s landed, he has found ways to generate offense while playing in different systems.

Testing His Game Abroad

Like many dynamic ECHL forwards, Bajkov tested his skills overseas. He skated in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, first with Kristianstads IK, where he put up 5 points (2g, 3a) in 13 games, and later with HC Vita Hästen, adding 20 points (7g, 13a) across 38 appearances. He then joined HK Nitra in Slovakia for a short stint, though he was held off the scoresheet in six games.

His most successful European stop came in England with the Guildford Flames of the EIHL, where he registered 23 points (7g, 16a) in 46 regular-season games and chipped in two assists in the playoffs.

His international stops didn’t deliver the same production as his best ECHL years, but they sharpened his two-way play and gave him valuable experience against a variety of playing styles. Those adjustments helped round out his game, preparing him for another push back in North America.

Roots in the WHL

Bajkov first turned heads as a junior star with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. His final season in 2017–18 was a showstopper: 33 goals, 67 assists, and 100 points in 72 games, capped by a trip to the WHL Finals. In five seasons with Everett, he tallied 288 points across 341 games, putting him among the most reliable forwards in the league during his time.

What This Means for Jacksonville

For the Icemen, Bajkov isn’t just another veteran signing—he’s a potential sparkplug for an offense that thrives on speed and pressure. His ability to produce in bunches, especially on the power play, makes him an immediate asset. Add in his experience across the ECHL, AHL, and European leagues, and Jacksonville gains a forward who can adapt quickly to different roles and provide scoring depth right away.

Fans looking for a player with creativity, vision, and finish around the net should circle Bajkov’s name. His past seasons show that when given the opportunity, he’s capable of leading an attack—and the Icemen will hope he can replicate that magic in Jacksonville blue.

SOURCE:

ECHL. (2022). 2021–22 Player Statistics. ECHL.