BREAKING: Sharks Trade for Studnicka, Place Sturm on IR

PHOENIX — The San Jose Sharks are taking another swing at a once highly-regarded prospect.

They’ve acquired Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

“Jack is a big and fast, reliable two-way center who is only 24-years-old,” GM Mike Grier said in a San Jose Sharks press release. “He plays a complete game and has offensive upside.”

Studnicka was once a top Boston Bruins prospect, selected No. 53 in the second round of the 2017 Draft, four spots behind new teammate Mario Ferraro.

Despite successful OHL and AHL campaigns, however, Studnicka could never stick in the NHL, scoring one goal and six assists in 38 games in parts of four seasons with the Bruins.

Last October, Boston traded him to Vancouver for prospects Jonathan Myrenberg and Michael DiPietro. The 6-foot-1 Studnicka took on a fourth-line center role, notching two goals and two assists in 47 games.

This season has been a tough one for Studnicka though, as he was waived by the Canucks in November. He has one goal in five NHL games this year, to go with one goal and six assists in nine AHL appearances.

We’ll see if he can get his career back on track with the San Jose Sharks. In a likely related move, center Nico Sturm has been placed on IR.

Sharks Injury Update: Sturm ‘Probably Not’ Available for Road Trip, Thornton & Dell Help Out Couture

Studnicka will join the Sharks roster. He was actually on his way from Abbotsford to Tucson but will drive to up to Tempe and be added to the NHL roster tomorrow. #SJSharks

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) December 16, 2023

Cicek, 23, opened eyes during training camp last year, which led to his NHL debut. The gregarious 6-foot-3 blueliner, who notched four assists in 16 appearances last year, couldn’t keep the momentum up this season though, and was ultimately lapped by other defensive prospects like Henry Thrun and Shakir Mukhamadullin on the depth chart.

Cicek has a goal and two assists in 18 contests with the San Jose Barracuda this year.