The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce F-Jiri Trubacik as the next 2017-18 Arkansas commit. The 5’11 195 lb. physical forward comes to Arkansas after two seasons of junior hockey. Most recently, Trubacik played for the Cheyenne Stampede in the WSHL. He played 23 games and contributed 18 total points (7 goals and 11 assists) for the Stampede. Prior to playing for Cheyenne, Trubacik played 26 games for the Tulsa Jr. Oilers during which he recorded 21 points (9 goals and 12 assists). Trubacik split his 2015-16 season between the Rochester Ice Hawks and the Peoria Mustangs in the NA3HL.

Trubacik was born in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. Trubacik explains that his father introduced him to hockey when he was just 4 years old and he “automatically fell in love.” He says he is blessed to have parents that support his love for hockey and as a result, brought him to the United States to continue his career.

Trubacik and his family settled in St. Louis, Missouri, before his freshman year of high school. He soon joined the St. Louis AAA Blues in the TIEHL U16 and spent two seasons with them before moving up to the St. Louis Selects in the NAPHL18U.

Regarding his decision to come to Arkansas, Trubacik said, “I chose the University of Arkansas because I believe it was meant for me to go there. If Coach wouldn’t have contacted me, I don’t know where my career would have ended up. When I visited the campus, it fit the criteria I was looking for. The coaches and players have the mentality of winners. I would not want to be around anyone else. I can’t wait to show what I have to bring to the table and set some new records.”

“No matter the team or the league, Jiri has been a productive player on every one of his prior rosters and we anticipate the same productivity from him here,” said Brian Gallini, Head Coach of the Division I team. “His skill-set aside, Jiri has a team-first mindset and stands out as someone who genuinely wants to make his teammates better.”

Trubacik becomes the fifteenth in the 2017-18 recruiting class that features players from seven different states and three countries. Trubacik joins the following players:

F- Konnor Madsen (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

F- Andrew Pellegrino (Fresno Monsters, WSHL)

F-Sine Chadi (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

F-Sam Weidenbaum (Decatur Blaze, USPHL)

F-Triston Wilson (Euless Stars, NA3HL)

F/D-Paiute Morrison (Southern Oregon Spartans, WSHL)

D- Cal Owens (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

D-Corey Rees (Long Beach Sharks, NA3HL)

D-Kyle Dudley (Euless Jr. Stars, NA3HL)

D-Shaun Foster (SUNY-Canton, NCAA)

D-Kenatae Medure (Atlanta Capitals, NA3HL)

G-Max Barr (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

G-Brock Thompson (Connecticut Nighthawks, EHL)

G-Rio Virgoe (Jersey Shore Wildcats, NA3HL)

The University of Arkansas is the only SEC school to field two hockey teams. The Division I team has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). The Division III team will in 2017-18 begin its eleventh season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.