Dylan Sikura Explained

Dylan Sikura
Birth Date:1 June 1995
Birth Place:Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:166
Position:Centre
Shoots:Left
League:SHL
Team:Skellefteå AIK
Former Teams:Chicago Blackhawks
Vegas Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche
Draft:178th overall
Draft Year:2014
Draft Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Career Start:2018

Dylan Sikura (born June 1, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently under with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round, 178th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning professional, Sikura played college ice hockey with Northeastern University, where he was named to the AHCA East First-Team All-American and the Hockey East First All-Star team.

Playing career

Sikura played for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for three years before committing to play for Northeastern University in February 2014.[1] That June, Sikura was drafted 178th overall in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.[2]

Sikura played hockey for four years at Northeastern University. In the 2016–17 season Sikura was named to the Hockey East Second Team All-Star and named a Hobey Baker Award candidate.[3] In his last year with the Huskies, Sikura and the Huskies won the program's first Beanpot championship in 30 years, defeating Boston University by a score of 5–2. Sikura recorded a pair of assists during the championship game.[4] At the conclusion of the season, Sikura was again named a Hobey Baker candidate, and named to the First Team All-Star and Hockey East All-Tournament Team.[5] He was also named an AHCA East First-Team All-American along with teammates Adam Gaudette and Jeremy Davies.[6] He finished his career with Northeastern with 146 points, placing him 14th in the program's all-time scoring list.[7]

On March 25, 2018, Sikura signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[8] He made his NHL debut on March 29, 2018, in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.[9] [10] He recorded his first two NHL points in his debut, with assists on Erik Gustafsson's goal and Alex DeBrincat's goal.[11] [12]

After attending the Blackhawks training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Sikura was reassigned to the Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.[13] On December 12, Sikura was called up the NHL for the first time that season after recording 18 points in 26 games, leading the team in goals and points.[14] After playing in 11 games with the Blackhawks and collecting three points, Sikura was reassigned to the IceHogs.[15] On February 11, Sikura was again called up from Rockford and played his first game back the next day against the Boston Bruins.[16] After nearly two months in the NHL, Sikura was reassigned to the IceHogs on April 2 to help the team qualify for the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs.[17]

On June 28, 2019, the Blackhawks re-signed Sikura to a two-year contract extension.[18] After beginning the season with the IceHogs, Sikura was recalled to the NHL on December 8. Upon his recall, Sikura was leading the team with nine goals and 16 points in 22 games.[19] On January 5, 2020, Sikura recorded his first career NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings to clinch a 4–2 win.[20]

On September 28, 2020, Sikura was traded by the Blackhawks to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Brandon Pirri.[21]

On July 29, 2021, having left the Golden Knights organization, Sikura was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[22] After attending the 2021 Avalanche training camp, Sikura was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, to begin the 2021–22 season. In a first-line offensive role with the Eagles, Sikura established career highs to finish sixth in league scoring with 33 goals and 40 assists for 73 points in just 60 regular season games. He made 5 appearances through a recall to the Avalanche, registering 1 assist. In the playoffs with the Eagles, Sikura was limited by injury to 6 post-season games, collecting 4 points. Sikura remained a part of the Avalanche black aces squad through the remainder of the playoffs, as the club went on to claim the Stanley Cup.

As a free agent from the Avalanche at the conclusion of his contract, Sikura opted to return to his original club by re-joining the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year, two-way contract on July 14, 2022.[23] In his return to the Blackhawks, Sikura rejoined former AHL club the Rockford IceHogs for the 2022–23 season, and collected 12 goals and 32 points through 52 games. On March 2, 2023, the Blackhawks traded Sikura to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for prospect Max Golod.[24]

After 6 professional seasons in North America, Sikura left the Ducks as a free agent and embarked on a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish club, Skellefteå AIK of the SHL, on September 7, 2023.[25]

International play

Sikura represented Team Canada at the 2017 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.[26] He played in four games and recorded one point to help Canada win the tournament.[27]

Sikura was named to Team Canada's pre-Olympic roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics[28] but failed to make the final roster.[29]

Personal life

Sikura's brother Tyler is currently playing hockey in the AHL for the Cleveland Monsters.[30] Sikura is half Slovakian.[31] His grandfather escaped Czechoslovakia and arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1950s.[32] He ran a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm, Hill 'n' Dale Farms, which was later taken over by Sikura's uncle and father after his grandfather's death.[32] [33]

Sikura is also half Japanese.[34]

Sikura got married in August of 2023 to a woman who had previously been linked to former mayor of Toronto Rob Ford.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2011–12Aurora TigersOJHL4461218292020
2012–13Aurora TigersOJHL46820282860110
2013–14Aurora TigersOJHL41174764162110112128
2014–15Northeastern UniversityHE255270
2015–16Northeastern UniversityHE391018282
2016–17Northeastern UniversityHE3821365712
2017–18Northeastern UniversityHE3822325422
2017–18Chicago BlackhawksNHL50330
2018–19Rockford IceHogsAHL4617183512
2018–19Chicago BlackhawksNHL330880
2019–20Rockford IceHogsAHL4514193320
2019–20Chicago BlackhawksNHL91230
2020–21Henderson Silver KnightsAHL301111221233252
2020–21Vegas Golden KnightsNHL6202020000
2021–22Colorado EaglesAHL603340731662462
2021–22Colorado AvalancheNHL50110
2022–23Rockford IceHogsAHL5214183210
2022–23San Diego GullsAHL1748126
NHL totals5831417020000

International

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
College
Hockey East Second All-Star Team2017
Hockey East First All-Star Team2018
Hockey East All-Tournament Team2018
AHCA East First-Team All-American2018

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SIKURA COMMITS TO NORTHEASTERN . ojhl.pointstreaksites.com . December 7, 2018 . February 7, 2014.
  2. Web site: Blackhawks select nine in 2014 NHL Draft . NHL.com . December 7, 2018 . June 28, 2014.
  3. Web site: Dylan Sikura - 2017-18 Men's Ice Hockey. gonu.com. March 29, 2018.
  4. Web site: Northeastern wins first Beanpot title in 30 years . nbcsports.com . February 21, 2019 . February 12, 2018.
  5. Web site: Blackhawks agree to terms with Dylan Sikura. NHL.com. March 29, 2018. March 25, 2018.
  6. Web site: Gaudette, Sikura, Davies give Northeastern three 2017-18 first-team All-Americans. uscho.com. April 7, 2018. April 6, 2018.
  7. Web site: Signing Sikura: Dylan Sikura's journey to the NHL . nuhuskies.com . December 7, 2018 . Boston . March 20, 2018.
  8. Web site: Blackhawks sign Dylan Sikura to entry-level deal. sportsnet.ca. March 29, 2018. March 25, 2018.
  9. News: Lazerus. Mark. Dylan Sikura excited, nervous and curious to make his Blackhawks debut. March 29, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. March 29, 2018.
  10. Web site: Roumeliotis. Charlie. Jets at Blackhawks preview. NHL.com. March 29, 2018. March 29, 2018.
  11. News: Emergency goalie plays 14 minutes, makes 7 saves in Blackhawks win. March 30, 2018. Calgary Sun. March 29, 2018.
  12. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks vs Winnipeg Jets gamecenter. NHL.com. March 30, 2018.
  13. Web site: RELEASE: Blackhawks announce roster moves. NHL.com. September 29, 2018. September 29, 2018.
  14. Web site: Roumeliotis . Charlie . Blackhawks call up top forward prospect Dylan Sikura amid roster moves . nbcsports.com . December 12, 2018 . December 12, 2018.
  15. Web site: RELEASE: Blackhawks assign Martinsen, Sikura . NHL.com . January 5, 2019 . January 5, 2019.
  16. NHLBlackhawks. 1094974706875277315. February 11, 2019. ROSTER MOVE: Forward Dylan Sikura has been recalled from the @goicehogs. #Blackhawks.
  17. Web site: Roumeliotis . Charlie . Blackhawks reassign Dylan Sikura to help Rockford IceHogs in playoff push . nbcsports.com . April 2, 2019 . April 2, 2019.
  18. Web site: RELEASE: Blackhawks agree to terms with Dylan Sikura, John Quenneville . Chicago Blackhawks . June 28, 2019.
  19. Web site: Greenfield . Jimmy . Blackhawks call up Dylan Sikura from Rockford and send down Anton Wedin . msn.com . December 15, 2019 . December 8, 2019.
  20. Web site: Baum . Carter . RECAP: Blackhawks Top Red Wings, 4-2 . nhl.com . January 5, 2020 . January 5, 2020.
  21. Web site: Golden Knights acquire forward Dylan Sikura . . September 28, 2020 . September 28, 2020.
  22. Web site: Avalanche signs Matteau, Sikura . . July 29, 2021 . July 29, 2021.
  23. Web site: Blackhawks sign Dylan Sikura to two-way contract . . July 14, 2022 . July 14, 2022.
  24. Web site: Ducks Acquire Right Wing Sikura in Trade with Chicago . NHL.com . March 3, 2023 . March 2, 2023.
  25. Web site: . Welcome, Dylan Sikura to SAIK . September 7, 2023 . September 7, 2023 . Swedish .
  26. Web site: Cudmore. John. McIntyre, Sikura named to Hockey Canada's Spengler Cup roster. yorkregion.com. April 12, 2018. December 21, 2017.
  27. Web site: DYLAN SIKURA. eliteprospects.com. April 12, 2018.
  28. Web site: Sadler. Emily. Hockey Canada reveals roster ahead of pre-Olympic tournament. sportsnet.ca . December 6, 2018 . October 26, 2017.
  29. News: Skrbina . Paul . Joel Quenneville on prospect Dylan Sikura: 'If he's good enough, there's a spot' . December 7, 2018 . Chicago Tribune . January 13, 2018.
  30. Web site: TYLER SIKURA. eliteprospects.com. March 29, 2018.
  31. Web site: Wheeler . Scott . Blackhawks' Sikura brothers take different paths to childhood team . theathletic.com . November 29, 2018 . September 18, 2017.
  32. News: Wykes . Tris . Dartmouth's Sikura Has 'Got That Vision' . November 29, 2018 . The Valley News . December 1, 2012.
  33. Web site: Hockey East roundup: Four assists from Sikura spark Northeastern . uscho.com . October 16, 2016 . November 29, 2018.
  34. Web site: Draft Day: Dylan Sikura's Journey . nikkeivoice.ca . July 9, 2014.