Jiri Patera

January 2024 – After being able to sit back and watch the Golden Knights playoff run from the pressbox last season, Patera has drawn into 5 games so far with Vegas this year just past the halfway point of the season. The majority of his time has been spent back with Henderson, where he has posted less stellar numbers than last year to date, but has still pulled the lion’s share of games for the Silver Knights. Given Vegas’ luck this season with injuries, you can expect to see him get some more NHL time this year as his development continues. Taylor Davis

March 2023 – The upward trajectory has continued so far for Patera in 2022-23, playing to the tune of a .916 save percentage to date on an otherwise disappointing squad in AHL Henderson. This helped lead to Patera’s recent NHL debut with Vegas, making 30 saves en route to his first NHL victory. If injuries persist for the Knights down the stretch, Patera may see more ice as they barrel towards the playoffs. Taylor Davis

October 2022 – Patera took necessary steps forward during the 2021-22 season, spending time in both the AHL and ECHL. Of the two, Patera was able to put up slightly better numbers in AHL Henderson, posting a 2.76 goals-against average to go with a .910 save percentage over 22 games. He’ll be starting the final year of his entry-level contract in Henderson, where the late 2017 pick will likely need to make further strides in order to remain with the Knights beyond this season. Taylor Davis

November 2021 – After tending goal in the Czech League for much of the campaign, Patera joined Vegas’ AHL affiliate in Henderson midway through 2020-21 with less-than-stellar results (2-4-0, 3.54 GAA, .888 SV%). At age 22, the Prague native currently serves as Fort Wayne’s 1B goalie in the ECHL with an improved stat line (3-3-1, 2.83 GAA, .907 SV%) albeit at a lower minor league level. While he sits behind a few slightly older prospects on Vegas’ organizational depth chart, the former Brandon Wheat King and Czech WJC participant still has time to hone his game in the minors. Kevin Wickersham

December 2018 – Patera, who is currently playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings and getting the bulk of time in the crease, is a part of the Czech Republic World Junior Championship pre-tournament roster. Although some cuts still remain, and the Czechs are waiting patiently to see what players may be released from the NHL and CHL, Patera is expected to be the front-runner to patrol the Czech Republic’s crease. In his first year in the CHL he has done a fine job making the adjustment to a faster pace and the quality of opposition compared to the USHL and his save percentage sits seventh in overall league standings for a team that is on the Wild Card bubble. Vegas will be watching the former sixth-round pick (2017) progress very closely during the 2019 WJC to see if he displays the characteristics of an eventual NHL goalie. Mason Black