BREAKING: Sharks Sign Cicek

Nick Cicek has signed his first NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks.

It was his ex-Portland Winterhawks head coach Mike Johnston who broke the news yesterday: “[Nick], at the end of last year, got a contract in the American Hockey League with San Jose, and just yesterday, he signed an NHL contract in San Jose.”

Johnston talks about Cicek at about the three-minute mark.

San Jose Hockey Now is seeking the terms of Cicek’s new contract.

Throughout 45 games with the Barracuda this season, the rookie defenseman has picked up 23 points. After sitting out 14 games with a facial injury in January, Cicek’s impact since returning for the Barracuda has been noticeable. The 21-year-old has proven he can handle the step up to the pros and has been relied upon as a No. 1 defenseman while guys like Nicolas Meloche, Ryan Merkley, and Jaycob Megna have been away with the San Jose Sharks.

Barracuda forward Jake McGrew saw this coming in January, telling San Jose Hockey Now: “Cheech is going to sign an NHL contract by this summer.”

Turns out McGrew knew what he was talking about.

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Throughout the AHL season, Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer has had nothing but good things to say about the 6-foot-3 blueliner.

After Cicek made his return to game action for the Barracuda on March 2, Sommer said this about both Cicek and Adam Raska: “Both those guys are such important parts because of the energy they bring to the room and in the game. You take those guys out of our lineup, and it’s a big hole to fill.”

Going from a Barracuda contract to a contract with the San Jose Sharks is a just reward for a young player who’s been getting better every year.

Johnston mentioned that Cicek became a significant performer for the Winterhawks, specifically in his 20-year-old season with the club: “Nick is a guy who came in, he wasn’t a star player when he came in, he worked for everything he had, and now he’s had a great year in the American League, and he’s been rewarded with an NHL contract.”

Cicek was named captain of the Portland Winterhawks for the 2020-21 season and continues to prove that he is a leader on and off the ice, having already donned an “A” for the Barracuda this season.