Kulich Returns to Sabres Camp After Blood-Clot Recovery

Jiri Kulich's 2025-26 season effectively ended after one shift in the third period of Buffalo's win over Washington on Nov. 1, 2025. He never played again that season.

He already knew something was wrong.

"The last game against Washington, I didn't even know I'm on the ice. I actually felt like a ghost," Kulich told Sabres.com. "And then I picked the puck behind the net, and I left it in front of our net and just kept skating. I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, there's definitely something going on with me.'"

A CT scan found a blood clot, rare for a 21-year-old in peak condition. According to the Sabres' account, medical staff considered a March 15, 2025 hit from Vegas forward Brett Howden the most likely origin, with another hit during offseason skates in August worsening it. His parents flew in from Czechia. Lindy Ruff and the Sabres initially had no timeline to offer.

Blood thinners ruled out contact hockey. That meant months of non-contact skating with skills coach Mike Ansell, crossbar challenges instead of contact drills, and a weight-room routine that started with squats carrying no weight.

"It was terrible. I hated it," Kulich said of the stagnant stretch.

Assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist Michael Adesso handled the day-to-day, relaying symptoms to doctors and tracking medication. "I call him my Czech son," Adesso said. Assistant strength coach Ray Magliozzi was the constant in the KeyBank Center gym while the team traveled.

A procedure at Mayo Clinic in March cleared the clot. Kulich is healthy, with several months of training behind him, and back in playing shape as camp opens.

"I'm still a kid, but at the same time, I grew from a kid to a man," he said. "My thoughts are way different than they were last year. My confidence, too. Everything."