Jack Studnicka (born February 18, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Studnicka was drafted in the second round (53rd overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Jack Studnicka
Studnicka with the Providence Bruins in 2020
Born (1999-02-18) February 18, 1999 (age 25)
Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
San Jose Sharks
Boston Bruins
Vancouver Canucks
NHL Draft 53rd overall, 2017
Boston Bruins
Playing career 2018–present

After moving to Novi, Michigan, in 2013, Studnicka played minor and midget hockey for Compuware and Belle Tire U14 teams. Following the 2014–15 season, in which he scored 29 goals and 56 assists through 67 games, Studnicka was drafted 21st overall by the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection Draft. He played four seasons with the Generals, serving them as captain for one and a half, before being traded to the Niagara IceDogs in 2019.

Early life edit

Studnicka was born on February 18, 1999, in Tecumseh, Ontario[1] to parents Todd Studnicka and Mary Beth Laing.[2] He was born into an athletic family as his father Todd played college ice hockey for the University of Maine while his older brother Sam played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[3] Likewise, his step brother Ryan McInchak plays goaltender for Cornell University[4] and his cousin Joey most recently played in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.[5] In 2013, Studnicka moved to Novi, Michigan, with his father after he got a job with Consumers Energy in order to have his support while preparing for major junior hockey.[6]

Playing career edit

Amateur edit

Although he grew up in Canada, Studnicka played minor and midget hockey for Compuware and Belle Tire in Michigan.[1] During his time with the Belle Tire, Studnicka was coached by Kyle Krug, the father of NHL defenceman Torey Krug.[7] In his final season with the Belle Tire, Studnicka scored 29 goals and 56 assists for 85 points through 67 games and played for the TPH Thunder Minor Midget program at the 2015 OHL Cup.[8] He finished the OHL Cup leading the team with one goal and three assists through four games.[9] Upon concluding the 2014–15 season with the Belle Tire, Studnicka was drafted 21st overall by the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft.[8] Leading up to the draft, Studnicka was described as a power pivot who displays a methodical stick handling attack, using subtle puck placement over dangling options."[10] Prior to starting his rookie season with the Generals, Studnicka was invited to the Team Canada U17 development camp where he scored one goal and one assist for two points over three games.[11] He began his rookie season with the Generals during the 2015–16 season and immediately tallied five assists through six games.[12] As a result of his play, Studnicka represented Team Canada at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he tallied five points in six games.[13] Upon returning to the OHL, Studnicka eventually tallied his first goal on December 13 against the Saginaw Spirit after recording 12 assists through 26 games.[14] He finished the 2015–16 season leading all team rookies with four goals and 22 assists for 26 points over 62 games.[15] Following his rookie season, Studnicka again represented Team Canada on the international stage at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.[13]

Leading up to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Studnicka was ranked 80th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in their midterm ranking list.[16] He was eventually drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Boston Bruins after finishing the 2016–17 season with a career-high 18 goals and 34 assists.[17] He was also able to graduate from Northville High School by taking online classes for his final semester.[6] Following the draft, Studnicka participated in the Bruins 2017 Rookie Camp and at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo where he scored one goal and two assists. After impressing at the tournament, Studnicka also participated in the Bruins Training Camp and made his preseason debut against the Montreal Canadiens on September 18 before being returned to Oshawa on September 21.[17] Upon returning to the Generals, Studnicka was named team captain for the 2017–18 season. He became the youngest team captain in franchise history since Boone Jenner in the 2011–12 season.[18] In his first two games as captain, Studnicka posted two goals and three assists for five points and he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on September 26, 2017.[17] At the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, Studnicka joined the Bruins American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, for the remainder of the season. In five regular season games, he tallied one goal and four assists for five points in the AHL.[1] He scored his first professional goal on April 14 to help lead the Bruins to a 5–0 shutout win over the Springfield Thunderbirds.[19]

After again participating in the Bruins training camp and preseason, Studnicka returned to the Generals for the 2018–19 season. While with the Bruins, he centred Brad Marchand and David Pastrňák for one game during their exhibition series in China.[20] On January 8, 2019, Studnicka and teammate Matt Brassard were traded to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for Lleyton Moore and six draft picks.[21] He made an immediate impact on the team upon joining them, scoring seven goals and eight assists for 15 points over nine games. At the end of January, Studnicka was named an assistant captain for the IceDogs.[22] On February 21, Studnicka recorded a career-high four goals in one game to lead the IceDogs 10–2 over the Kitchener Rangers.[23] The following month, he recorded a career-high five points in one game to help lift the IceDogs 7–4 over the Barrie Colts.[24] Studnickaup finished the regular season with 36 goals and 47 assists for 83 points over 60 games between Niagara and Oshawa. His scoring prowess continued into the 2019 playoffs as he led the team in their first round series against the North Bay Battalion with four goals and four assists. During Game 5 of the IceDogs first round playoff series against the Battalion, Studnickaup tallied a goal and two assists to push the IceDogs into the second round for the fourth time in five years.[25] Studnicka and the IceDogs then faced his former team in the second round, where they lost to the Generals.[26]

Professional edit

Boston Bruins edit

Following the IceDog's elimination from the 2019 playoffs, Studnicka joined the Providence Bruins to help them in the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs run. He scored his first playoff goal and assist with the Bruins in his second game to help lead them to an eventual 4–2 win over the Charlotte Checkers.[27] These would prove to be his only points as the Bruins fell to the Checkers in four games.[1]

 
Studnicka during the 2020 AHL All-Star Game.

Studnicka returned to the Bruins for their 2019 training and development camp with an added 10 pounds of muscle.[28] On September 30, Studnicka was one of four players assigned to the AHL to start the 2019–20 season.[29] Studnicka made an immediate impact with the Providence Bruins upon joining them and quickly accumulated nine goals and nine assists for 18 points through 21 games. Following an injury to Patrice Bergeron in late November, Studnicka earned his first NHL call up on November 26.[30] He subsequently made his NHL debut that night against the Montreal Canadiens, where he registered his first career NHL assist to help lead the Bruins to an 8–1 win.[31] Studnicka went on to play one more game with the Bruins that season before being re-assigned to Providence.[32] Despite missing a few games while in the NHL, Studnicka continued to improve upon returning to Providence and ranked second among rookies in goals by the end of December. His 14 goals and 12 assists earned him a selection for the 2020 AHL All-Star Game.[33] Following the All-Star Break, Studnicka continued to score and quickly tallied eight goals and eight assists for 16 points over 12 games.[34] His efforts also helped the Providence Bruins win 11 consecutive games to match a franchise record set in 1998–99.[35] When the 2019–20 season was cut short in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Studnicka was leading the Providence Bruins in goals with 23, assists with 26, and points with 49. As such, he was selected for the 20219–20 AHL All-Rookie Team.[36]

While the AHL season had concluded in March, the NHL resumed play for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs on August 1, 2020. When the Bruins initiated their return to play training camp, Studnicka was one of the players included on their roster.[37] While the league had been paused, Studnicka trained and tested himself out in a winger position in an effort to be more versatile and crack a strong Bruins lineup.[38] While attending the Bruins 2021 training camp, Studnicka replaced an injured David Pastrnak on right wing beside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.[39] For the first time in his career, Studnicka began the 2020–21 season at the NHL level while playing right wing on the Bruins top line. In this role, he scored his first career NHL goal on January 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers.[40] Following an injury in February, Studnicka was assigned to the AHL to get some more playing time as a winger.[41] He finished the regular season with a team leading 23 goals, seven of which came on the power-play.[42]

During the 2021 offseason, Studnicka again tried to put on more weight before training camp began in an effort to become more stable when receiving hits.[42] While he spent the majority of the 2021–22 season in the AHL, Studnicka appeared in 15 NHL games where he recorded three assists. As a restricted free agent, Studnicka was re-signed by the Bruins to a two-year contract extension on July 23, 2022.[43]

Vancouver Canucks edit

Studnicka began the 2022–23 season with the Bruins, primarily serving as a healthy scratch and appearing in just one game before he was traded by the Bruins to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for goaltender Michael DiPietro and defensive prospect Jonathan Myrenberg on October 27, 2022.[44] Shortly after joining the Canucks, Studnicka was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury on November 15.[45] Although Studnicka also earned limited ice time in Vancouver, he often played between with Nils Åman and Dakota Joshua. The line was often referred to as the "Crazy 8s" due to their jersey numbers all having the number 8.[46] Following the All-Star break in January, Studnicka scored four goals and four assists through 47 games.[47] He averaged 10:39 minutes per outing but remained scratched for nearly every game in March.[46] Studnicka later explained his lack of scoring due to him being tentative with a new team.[47]

Entering the last year of his contract, Studnicka returned to Vancouver for the 2023–24 season with 10 pounds of added muscle.[47] Although he was originally re-assigned to the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, to start the season, he was an emergency recall on October 12.[48]

San Jose Sharks edit

On December 15, 2023, Studnicka was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round pick.[49]

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Belle Tire U16 T1EHL 32 9 32 41 24 4 1 0 1 7
2015–16 Oshawa Generals OHL 62 4 22 26 25 5 0 0 0 2
2016–17 Oshawa Generals OHL 64 18 34 36 11 5 10 15 6
2017–18 Oshawa Generals OHL 66 22 50 72 43 5 1 4 5 13
2017–18 Providence Bruins AHL 5 1 4 5 0
2018–19 Oshawa Generals OHL 30 12 22 34 28
2018–19 Niagara IceDogs OHL 30 24 25 49 24 11 5 6 11 16
2018–19 Providence Bruins AHL 4 1 1 2 4
2019–20 Providence Bruins AHL 60 23 26 49 30
2019–20 Boston Bruins NHL 2 0 1 1 2 5 0 0 0 2
2020–21 Boston Bruins NHL 20 1 2 3 0
2020–21 Providence Bruins AHL 11 0 7 7 15
2021–22 Providence Bruins AHL 41 10 25 35 36 2 0 1 1 0
2021–22 Boston Bruins NHL 15 0 3 3 4
2022–23 Boston Bruins NHL 1 0 0 0 4
2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 47 4 4 8 12
2023–24 Vancouver Canucks NHL 5 1 0 1 0
2023–24 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 9 1 6 7 6
2023–24 San Jose Sharks NHL 17 0 0 0 6
2023–24 San Jose Barracuda AHL 36 7 14 21 18
NHL totals 107 6 10 16 28 5 0 0 0 2

International edit

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Canada Red U17 6 1 4 5 0
2016 Canada IH18 4 0 0 0 0
2017 Canada U18 3 3 0 3 0
2019 Canada WJC 5 1 3 4 0
Junior totals 18 5 7 12 0

Awards and honours edit

Award Year
AHL
AHL All-Star Game 2020 [33]
AHL All-Rookie Team 2020 [36]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Jack Studnicka". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Georgieva, Katerina (December 24, 2018). "Jack Studnicka's family ready to see their favourite player on the world stage". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Jack Studnicka was #BornReady". October 22, 2023. March 27, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ryan McInchak". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "Joey Studnicka". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Emons, Brad (June 29, 2017). "NHL's Bruins make Studnicka high draft priority". Hometown Life. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Haggerty, Joe (June 24, 2017). "Bruins go for some skill with Studnicka pick in second round". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Studnicka Selected In First Round Of OHL Draft". Chatham-Kent Sports Network. April 12, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "2015 OHL Cup Day 4 Recap". Canadian Hockey League. March 20, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  10. ^ McNair, Brian (April 11, 2015). "Oshawa Generals hope they've landed a stud from Detroit Belle Tire in OHL draft". Durham Region. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  11. ^ "Jack Studnicka Named To U17 Team". Canadian Hockey League. October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  12. ^ Hofley, Chris (October 9, 2015). "67's win as Studnicka brothers square off". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Oshawa Generals' 80th season home opener against rival Peterborough Petes". Durham Region. June 22, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  14. ^ McNair, Brian (December 13, 2015). "Oshawa Generals let two leads slip away in loss to Saginaw Spirit". Durham Region. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Sweetland, Josh (September 5, 2016). "OHL 20 in 20 Season Preview: Oshawa Generals". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Oshawa Generals Jack Studnicka, Kyle Keyser ranked by NHL Central Scouting". Durham Region. January 18, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c "Bruins Sign Jack Studnicka To Entry-Level Contract". National Hockey League. September 26, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  18. ^ McNair, Brian (September 1, 2017). "Oshawa Generals name Jack Studnicka captain for 2017–18 Ontario Hockey League season". The Record. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  19. ^ "Special Teams Shine in 5–0 P-Bruins Win". Our Sports Central. April 14, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  20. ^ McNair, Brian (October 2, 2018). "Captain Jack Studnicka returns to Oshawa Generals better for being with Boston Bruins". Durham Region. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Beneteau, Josh (January 8, 2019). "IceDogs acquire Team Canada forward Jack Studnicka from Generals". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  22. ^ "Jack Studnicka named Assistant Captain". Canadian Hockey League. January 30, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  23. ^ "Jack Studnicka named OHL's 1st Star of February 21st, 2019". Canadian Hockey League. February 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "Jack Studnicka and Jason Robertson named to OHL Three Stars – March 16, 2019". Canadian Hockey League. March 16, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "Robertson and Studnicka named First and Second Star – March 29, 2019". Canadian Hockey League. March 30, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  26. ^ Sweetland, Josh (April 18, 2019). "Eastern Conference Championship Series Preview – #OTTvsOSH". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  27. ^ "Bruins Prospect Jack Studnicka Scores, Dishes Sweet Assist In AHL Playoff Game". NESN. April 21, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  28. ^ Conroy, Steve (September 2, 2019). "Jack Studnicka ready to compete for spot with Bruins". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "Bruins Announce Transactions". National Hockey League. September 30, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  30. ^ Tolvo, Michael (November 26, 2019). "Studnicka Earns Call-Up, Set To Make Debut Between Coyle, DeBrusk". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  31. ^ Shinzawa, Fluto (November 27, 2019). "Jack Studnicka is the Bruins' most important prospect, and he made a nice impression in debut vs. Canadiens". The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  32. ^ Russo, Eric (December 1, 2019). "Need to Know: Bruins vs. Canadiens". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Paul Carey and Jack Studnicka Selected to 2020 AHL All-Star Team". Our Sports Central. January 3, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  34. ^ Krenn, Christopher (March 4, 2020). "Studnicka Has Become A Shorthanded Force". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  35. ^ Krenn, Christopher (March 11, 2020). "P-Bruins Tie Longest Win Streak in Team History". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  36. ^ a b "STUDNICKA SELECTED TO 2019–20 AHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM". Providence Bruins. May 19, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  37. ^ Russo, Eric (July 12, 2020). "On Eve of Return, Sweeney Believes B's Are Ready for Challenge". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  38. ^ Vautour, Matt (July 29, 2020). "For Bruins' Jack Studnicka, chance at stardom may be arriving ahead of schedule". MassLive.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  39. ^ Russo, Eric (January 7, 2021). "Lauzon, Studnicka Starting at the Top". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  40. ^ Westerholm, Tom (January 21, 2021). "Bruins' Jack Studnicka scores first NHL goal, receives puck after the game". boston.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  41. ^ Conroy, Stephen (February 11, 2021). "Bruins notebook: Jack Studnicka to wing it in Providence". Lowell Sun. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  42. ^ a b Shinzawa, Fluto (October 1, 2021). "'Not easy. Not easy': For Bruins prospect Jack Studnicka, gaining 15 pounds this offseason was no piece of cake". The Athletic. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  43. ^ "Bruins sign forward Jack Studnicka to two-year contract". Boston Bruins. July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  44. ^ "Canucks acquire forward Jack Studnicka from Boston". Vancouver Canucks. October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  45. ^ "Canucks forward Studnicka placed on IR; Lockwood recalled". Sportsnet. November 15, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  46. ^ a b Kuzma, Ben (April 30, 2023). "Canucks Under the Microscope: Who is the real Jack Studnicka?". The Province. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  47. ^ a b c Kuzma, Ben (September 13, 2023). "Canucks: How heightened fitness, resolve could give Jack Studnicka roster bite". The Province. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  48. ^ "Canucks recall Jack Studnicka from AHL under emergency conditions". Sportsnet. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  49. ^ "Canucks acquire Nick Cicek, sixth-round pick from Sharks for Jack Studnicka". Sportsnet. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.

External links edit