Jiri Kulich led Rochester in goals again in 2023-24. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Rochester Amerks’ Jiri Kulich named to AHL’s Top Prospects Team again

For the second straight season, Rochester Americans center Jiri Kulich has earned a spot on the AHL’s Top Prospects Team.

Kulich, the 28th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, enjoyed another terrific season in the minors, scoring a team-best 27 goals and 45 points in 57 games. He scored nine times in his final 11 regular-season outings following a long slump. He also represented the Amerks in the AHL All-Star Classic.

The Czech became the first player to lead the Amerks in goals in consecutive seasons since AHL Hall of Famer Jody Gage did in 1991-92 and 1992-93.

Kulich, who turned 20 on April 14, scored 24 goals during the 2022-23 regular season, becoming just the fourth 18-year-old in league history and the first since 1997-98 to register more than 20 goals.

He made his NHL debut Nov. 25.

The Top Prospects Team – three forwards, two defensemen and one goalie – is determined by the AHL’s hockey operations department in conjunction with the league’s general managers.

To be considered, skaters must have been 22 or younger on the first day of the regular season, and have played a minimum of 36 regular-season games in the AHL this year and no more than 30 in the NHL.

The rest of the team announced Thursday:

– Forward Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars

– Forward Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds

– Defenseman Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign

– Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Grand Rapids Griffins

– Goalie Yaroslav Askarov, Milwaukee Admirals

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