Kelowna Rocket signs NHL deal

May 9, 2022 | 3:00 PM Pete McIntyre

Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin has announced the signing of Kelowna Rockets forward Pavel Novak to a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2022-23 season.

Novak, 20, had 72 points (29G, 43A), a plus-26 rating and 14 penalty minutes over 62 games with the Rockets this season. He ranked T-1st on the team in goals, second in scoring, assists and plus/minus rating, third in power play goals (8) and shots on goal (208) and recorded 20 multi-point games.

The Tabor, Czech Republic product was selected 13th overall by the Rockets in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.

The Wild selected Novak in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Novak was named to the WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team and recorded two hat tricks this season.