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| Jakub Lauko | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jakub Lauko |
| Birth date | 10 May 1999 |
| Birth place | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Weight lb | 181 |
| Position | Right wing |
| Shoots | Left |
| League | National Hockey League |
| Team | Boston Bruins |
| Former teams | Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, HC Sparta Praha, HC Litvínov |
| Draft | 77th overall, 2018 |
| Draft team | Boston Bruins |
| Career start | 2016 |
Jakub Lauko (born May 10, 1999) is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins. A third-round selection at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he developed in the Czech junior and professional systems before transitioning to North American hockey with American Hockey League affiliates and making his NHL debut. Internationally, he has represented the Czech Republic at junior and senior levels, including the IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF World Championship tournaments.
Born in Prague, Lauko came through the youth ranks of HC Sparta Praha and appeared in Czech junior competitions alongside peers from organizations such as HC Litvínov and HC Slavia Praha. He competed in the Czech Extraliga junior system and the under-18 circuit, playing against prospects from clubs like BK Mladá Boleslav and Piráti Chomutov. His play at domestic tournaments and performances against players linked to HC Kometa Brno, HC Dynamo Pardubice, and PSG Zlín drew attention from international scouts from NHL Central Scouting, Hockey Canada-aligned tournaments, and representatives associated with the NHL Entry Draft. Ahead of 2016–17 he split time between junior rosters and professional appearances, facing veteran forwards from clubs including HC Oceláři Třinec and Mountfield HK.
Lauko made his Czech Extraliga debut with HC Litvínov's senior team, then returned to HC Sparta Praha where he logged minutes against established Extraliga squads such as HC Verva Litvínov and HC Energie Karlovy Vary. Selected 77th overall by Boston Bruins in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he remained in Europe briefly before signing an entry-level contract and moving to North America to join the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. With Providence he played alongside prospects drafted by organizations like Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils at the AHL level, recording development milestones monitored by Boston Bruins management and coaching staff influenced by figures tied to Bruins Development Group initiatives.
During his North American tenure he earned recall opportunities to the Boston Bruins and made his NHL debut in contests against franchises including Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New Jersey Devils. He also spent time on loan to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League during the NHL off-season and international disruptions, competing against players affiliated with SKA Saint Petersburg, CSKA Moscow, and Ak Bars Kazan. His professional trajectory has included stints in the AHL Playoffs and contributions in regular season rotations while navigating roster competition from forwards developed by St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins organizations.
Lauko represented the Czech Republic at the under-18 and under-20 levels, participating in tournaments organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation such as the IIHF World U18 Championship and the IIHF World Junior Championship. He played alongside contemporaries from national programs including players who later joined NHL teams like Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. At senior level he has been selected for the IIHF World Championship roster and faced national teams like Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Canada in international competition. His international experience includes matchups against players from federations such as USA Hockey and Hockey Canada during preparatory camps and exhibition series.
Lauko is noted for a two-way right wing game combining offensive instincts similar to prospects developed by Providence Bruins with defensive responsibilities emphasized by Boston Bruins coaching philosophy. Evaluators from NHL Central Scouting and professional scouting services compared his puck-handling and skating to European forwards who transitioned to the AHL and NHL successfully, citing his positioning, board play, and ability to drive pace in line matchups against opponents from clubs like Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers. Coaches with histories at HC Sparta Praha and Providence Bruins praised his compete level and adaptability, while media outlets covering the National Hockey League and Czech Extraliga have discussed his potential as a middle-six forward capable of penalty kill duties and secondary scoring.
Originally from Prague, he maintains ties to Czech hockey development programs and has been involved in youth skating clinics alongside former internationals from Czech Ice Hockey Association. Off the ice he has appeared in community events associated with the Boston Bruins Foundation and participated in charity appearances with teammates who have connections to organizations like Right To Play and regional European sports foundations. His fluency in Czech and English has facilitated engagement with international media outlets covering NHL and IIHF events. He has family members who supported his early career within the Prague club system and attended games hosted at arenas such as O2 Arena (Prague) and TD Garden.
Category:Czech ice hockey right wingers Category:Boston Bruins players Category:1999 births Category:Living people