Dominik Badinka: The Czech Prospect Saluting His Way Towards an NHL Future

Raleigh, NC – Dominik Badinka, the Carolina Hurricanes’ second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is quickly making a name for himself not just with his on-ice performance, but with a playful homage to a Czech hockey legend. While not yet a household name among hockey fans, the 20-year-vintage defenseman is rapidly developing into a prospect the Hurricanes – and Czech hockey as a whole – are counting on.

Badinka, drafted 34th is currently honing his skills with the Chicago Wolves, Carolina’s AHL affiliate. Before arriving in North America, the Pirati Chomutov product spent two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Malmö, where he earned a nickname that resonated with fans: “Jags,” a nod to the iconic Jaromír Jágr. The moniker, stemming from his long dark hair and Czech nationality, has become a running joke with his teammates.

“They didn’t believe me at first, so I had to show them that it really is Jags,” Badinka told the Chicago Wolves official website on March 12, 2026. He’s embraced the nickname, even replicating Jágr’s signature goal celebration – a salute to the crowd – multiple times this season. Most recently, he performed the salute after scoring against the Toronto Marlies in early March, much to the amusement of teammate Ryan Suzuki, brother of Montreal Canadiens star Nick Suzuki.

The connection to Jágr runs deeper than just a nickname. Badinka grew up watching the legendary winger play for Kladenští Rytíři when the team temporarily relocated to Chomutov due to stadium renovations. “I had the opportunity to notice him for about a year, it was a dream approach true,” Badinka recalled.

While Badinka’s offensive numbers won’t rival Jágr’s, he’s establishing himself as a reliable, defensively sound blueliner. Through 54 games with the Wolves this season, he has 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists), placing him among the top-scoring defensemen under 21 in the AHL. He’s quickly adapting to the North American game, a transition he described to The News & Observer as a shift in style.

“It’s a completely different game,” Badinka explained. “Not that it’s harder or that I’m more tired after the game. It’s just played differently, European and American hockey are two different things. In Sweden, it’s more about skating and thinking, trying to keep the puck. Here in the States, it’s played more simply. You send the puck along the boards, try to get it deep into the offensive zone. I would say the main difference is that in the AHL, it’s played more physically.”

Despite the adjustment, Badinka has impressed his coaches. Wolves assistant coach Spiros Anastas lauded his ability to defend, block shots, utilize his speed and contribute to the offensive transition. “He’s able to defend players with the puck, block opponents without the puck, use his speed to solve game situations and transition into the attack, all at a phenomenal level,” Anastas said in November, as reported by theahl.com. “To be honest, I didn’t expect that so early in the season.”

Badinka is in the first year of a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes, giving him ample time to develop and potentially crack the NHL roster. The Hurricanes selected Badinka hoping he would develop into a dependable top-two defenseman, a position of necessitate within the organization. The team selected him with the expectation he’d fill a gap in their defensive pipeline, as noted in reports following the 2024 draft. The Hockey News highlighted his mobility and maturity as key attributes.

His journey to this point hasn’t been without its challenges. After his youth club in Chomutov faced financial difficulties, Badinka sought opportunities in Scandinavia, first in Finland with Jokerit and then in Sweden with Malmö. He posted 26 points (5 goals, 21 assists) in 43 contests with Jokerit’s junior team in Finland’s top under-20 league in 2022-23, and then followed that up with 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 17 games with Malmo’s junior team in the Swedish under-20 league in 2023-24. These experiences, he believes, were crucial to his development.

“I was able to gain experience, which is definitely valuable for me. I experienced different styles,” Badinka said, as reported by NHL.com/cs. “I want to thank Chomutov, Jokerit, and Malmö,” he added, recognizing the role each organization played in his growth. He also briefly appeared in two games for the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in 2024-25, totaling five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 49 games with Malmo (SHL) that season.

Badinka’s progress is particularly encouraging for Czech hockey, which is looking to cultivate more skilled defensemen. His success story offers a beacon of hope for the future of the national program. He represented Czechia at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting two assists in five games.

The Hurricanes will be closely monitoring Badinka’s development in the AHL, hoping he can translate his skills and enthusiasm to the NHL level. For now, he’s embracing the “Jags” nickname, saluting the crowd, and working towards his dream of playing in the world’s best hockey league.

What’s Next: Badinka and the Chicago Wolves continue their AHL season with a game against the Cleveland Monsters on March 29th. Fans can follow updates and game results on the AHL website.

What do you think of Badinka’s progress? Share your thoughts in the comments below!