What a difference one season can make. A season ago, Adam Ruzicka seemed like a decent prospect but it was unclear how he would translate to the pro game. After a season in the American Hockey League, the big-bodied Slovakian centre looks like he could challenge for a call-up very soon.
Ruzicka is the 11th-ranked prospect on this year’s countdown.
How did we get here?
A product of Bratislava, Slovakia, Ruzicka played extensively in the minor hockey system in his hometown as a youngster. He constantly played above his age class and performed well:
- In 2012-13, he dabbled in U-18 hockey as a 13-year-old
- In 2013-14, he played a full year of U-18 as a 14-year-old
- In 2014-15, he left home at 15 to play for Pardubice (in the Czech Republic) and played for their U-16, U-18 and U-20 clubs (and he played in the World Under-17s)
- In 2015-16, at 16-years-old, he played U-18 and U-20 hockey (and played in the World Under-18s)
- In 2016-17, at 17-years-old, he left his home continent and headed to play for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting as an import.