Minnesota Wild prospect Pavel Novak announces he can't play next season

Some very tough news for Minnesota Wild draft pick Pavel Novak. In a statement, the 20-year-old announced that he's battling cancer, and has already ruled out playing in the 2022-23 season. Here's Novak's statement in full.

Novak was drafted in the fifth round (146th overall) by Minnesota in 2020. He had an excellent year with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this past season. In 69 regular season games he netted 29 goals and totaled 79 points. Novak, who is a native of the Czech Republic, played another three in the postseason, scoring a goal.

As Novak notes in his statement, he is hopeful this isn't the end of his hockey career. We're certainly hopeful for that as well. All the best to him as he continues his fight.

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