Jakub Husár, a 17‑year‑old goaltender from Kosice, Slovakia, has pledged to play for the University of North Dakota, bringing a rare blend of European pedigree and NHL prospect status to the Fighting Hawks.
A Record‑Breaking Journey
Husár’s ascent began in the Slovak Extraliga, where he became the youngest ever to appear in a top‑level game, surpassing the previous mark set by Samuel Hlavaj. The milestone underscored his readiness for elite competition.
His performance on the international stage added further luster. At the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup he posted a .923 save percentage while facing the most shots among all goalies, a statistic that highlighted both skill and durability.
Domestically, in the Junior Extraliga U20, he again proved his mettle, delivering a .927 save percentage and ranking third in the league despite his age.
The United States Hockey League recognized his potential by drafting him in the Phase II Draft of May 2026, a move that placed him on a path toward North American competition.
College Commitment and NHL Outlook
Husár is slated to spend the bulk of the 2026‑27 season back in Slovakia before joining the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks in February 2027, a stint that will serve as a bridge to his eventual arrival in Grand Forks in the 2028‑29 academic year.
His commitment adds depth to UND’s net, where he will eventually share the crease with NHL draft picks Caleb Heil and Jan Špunar, forming a tandem that could echo the program’s historic 1993‑95 era.
A Legacy in the Making
The Fighting Hawks have a storied history of producing top‑100 NHL draft picks, including Dave Murphy, Matej Tomek and Darren Jensen. Husár’s arrival could extend that lineage, offering the program a new chapter of international excellence.
Beyond personal milestones, his presence signals a broader trend of European talent seeking development in the U.S. collegiate system, a flow that benefits both the players and the schools that recruit them.