Dylan Sikura

Dylan Sikura (born June 1, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Blackhawks in the sixth round, 178th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning professional, Sikura played with the Northeastern University Huskies of the NCAA, where he was named to the AHCA East First-Team All-American and the Hockey East First All-Star team.

Playing career
Sikura played for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for three years before committing to play for Northeastern University in February 2014. That June, Sikura was drafted 178th overall in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sikura played hockey for four years at Northeastern University. In the 2016–17 season Sikura was named to the Hockey East Second Team All-Star and named a Hobey Baker Award candidate. In his last year with the Huskies, Sikura and the Huskies won the program's first Beanpot championship in 30 years, defeating Boston University by a score of 5–2. Sikura recorded a pair of assists during the championship game. At the conclusion of the season, Sikura was again named a Hobey Baker candidate, and named to the First Team All-Star and Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He was also named an AHCA East First-Team All-American along with teammates Adam Gaudette and Jeremy Davies. He finished his career with Northeastern with 146 points, placing him 14th in the program's all-time scoring list.

On March 25, 2018, Sikura signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He made his NHL debut on March 29, 2018, in a game against the Winnipeg Jets. He recorded his first two NHL points in his debut, with assists on Erik Gustafsson's goal and Alex DeBrincat's goal.

After attending the Blackhawks training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Sikura was reassigned to the Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. On December 12, Sikura was called up the NHL for the first time that season after recording 18 points in 26 games, leading the team in goals and points. After playing in 11 games with the Blackhawks and collecting three points, Sikura was reassigned to the IceHogs. On February 11, Sikura was again called up from Rockford and played his first game back the next day against the Boston Bruins. After nearly two months in the NHL, Sikura was reassigned to the IceHogs on April 2 to help the team qualify for the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs.

On June 28, 2019, the Blackhawks re-signed Sikura to a two-year contract extension. After beginning the season with the IceHogs, Sikura was recalled to the NHL on December 8. Upon his recall, Sikura was leading the team with nine goals and 16 points in 22 games. On January 5, 2020, Sikura recorded his first career NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings to clinch a 4–2 win.

International play
Sikura represented Team Canada at the 2017 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. He played in four games and recorded one point to help Canada win the tournament.

Sikura was named to Team Canada's pre-Olympic roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics but failed to make the final roster.

Personal life
Sikura's brother Tyler is currently playing hockey in the AHL for the Rockford IceHogs. Sikura is half Slovakian. His grandfather escaped Czechoslovakia and arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1950s. He ran a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm, Hill 'n' Dale Farms, which was later taken over by Sikura's uncle and father after his grandfather's death.

Sikura is also half Japanese.