Shanghai Dragons Sign Defenseman Nick Cicek

The Shanghai Dragons have signed 26-year-old Canadian defenseman Nick Cicek.

From 2021 to 2024, Cicek played in the AHL for the San Jose Barracuda and Abbotsford Canucks, while also appearing in 16 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks.

During the 2024–25 season, he played in Germany with Adler Mannheim before returning to North America and the AHL. Last season, Cicek appeared in 70 games for the Calgary Wranglers, recording 25 points on seven goals and 18 assists.

Overall, Cicek has played 233 AHL games, totaling 71 points with 17 goals and 54 assists.

“Cicek is a mobile two-way defenseman who can help both offensively and defensively,” said Evgeny Artyukhin, general manager of the Shanghai Dragons. “In the 2025–26 AHL season, he reached 25 points in 70 games, so he is not a pure stay-at-home defenseman. At the same time, his physical and defensive abilities are very important for us. Size, toughness and reliability are the strengths of our new player. He knows how to play a simple, tight game and is not afraid of contact. He will help the team not only on the penalty kill, but also on the power play, because he reads the game very well and has a high hockey IQ.”

With the signing, Shanghai adds a mobile, physical and reliable defenseman with NHL experience, AHL production and the versatility to contribute in all situations.

Shanghai Dragons Media Relations