Thank you to the 70 readers who voted in this year’s countdown of the 25 best players in the Columbus Blue Jackets system under the age of 25. Today we continue with #14:

#14 Stanislav Svozil

Voting

14th out of 40
Total Points: 1122
Average Placement: 15.803
Last Year: 13th (-1 difference)

Biography

Birthdate: January 17, 2003
Birthplace: Prerov, Czechia
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted in Round 3 (#69 overall) by Columbus in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft

2024-25 Season

Svozil was a prospect who was seen as a borderline late first/early second round pick, who Columbus managed to snag when he fell into the third round. At a point where the organization was desperate to reload its defensive pipeline (and, let’s be honest, every position in 2021 needed a reload), Svozil is a player that this community has had high hopes for.

After making his NHL debut in two games in spring of 2023 after his junior career ended, Svozil has spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Monsters. His production was fairly similar, with 5/18/23 in 57 games in 2023-24 followed by 4/20/24 in 63 games in 2024-25.

2025-26 Outlook

Svozil is entering the final year of his entry level contract, after which he will be a restricted free agent next summer. The depth chart appears a bit crowded above him at the moment, with Zach Werenski, Denton Mateychuk, and Jake Christiansen on the left side, not to mention whichever of Damon Severson or Erik Gudbranson may move over to that side on the bottom pair. That being said, Svozil should get big minutes in Cleveland and when injuries inevitably hit, he could get his opportunity then to return to the NHL.