Layton Ahac Bio
Layton Ahac is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and weighing roughly 187 lb (85 kg), he shoots left and plays a steady, defensive style on the blue line. Ahac is a graduate of the Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA program and a former third-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights. His career has taken him from junior hockey in British Columbia to the American Hockey League and into professional play in Europe.
Early Life and Background
Layton Ahac was born on February 22, 2001, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Growing up in the Greater Vancouver area placed him within one of Canada’s most concentrated hockey development regions, where youth players typically begin organized competition at a young age. He played his early U18-level hockey with the Vancouver North West Giants of the BC Hockey Major Midget League, a recognized pipeline for elite players in the province.
His time with the North West Giants helped prepare him for the demands of junior hockey, including the physical conditioning and travel schedule required at the next level. The British Columbia Hockey League is widely regarded as one of the strongest Junior A circuits in North America, and Ahac’s promotion into that league marked an important step in his development as a defenceman.
Path to Hockey
Ahac entered the British Columbia Hockey League with the Prince George Spruce Kings, where he spent two seasons establishing himself as a reliable two-way defenceman. In his first season, 2017–18, he was named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team, and in 2018–19 he earned a spot on the BCHL Second All-Star Team. That second year also ended on a high note when he helped the Spruce Kings win the Fred Page Cup championship in 2019.
His junior success attracted the attention of NHL scouts, and in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft he was selected 86th overall in the third round by the Vegas Golden Knights. Rather than turn professional immediately, Ahac honored a commitment he had made in 2017 and played two seasons of NCAA hockey at Ohio State University. He also represented Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, where he recorded two points in six games.
Layton Ahac Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Ahac’s first notable stretch of competitive hockey came with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League. Over two seasons he earned individual recognition in the form of All-Rookie and Second All-Star Team selections, confirming his status as one of the top young defencemen in the league. The 2019 Fred Page Cup championship gave him an early experience of high-stakes playoff hockey.
His draft year, 2018–19, also included international exposure with Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge. That tournament served as a showcase against other elite junior players from across the country and gave Ahac a measure of his standing among his peer group.
NCAA Hockey at Ohio State (2019–2021)
Following his third-round selection by Vegas, Ahac moved into the NCAA ranks with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He spent two collegiate seasons developing against older competition in one of the most demanding amateur leagues in North America. The experience allowed him to refine his defensive game, conditioning, and decision-making against future professionals.
While at Ohio State, Ahac remained on the radar of the Vegas Golden Knights organization, which held his NHL rights. His time in college ended when the Golden Knights came calling in the spring of 2021, presenting him with an opportunity to turn professional.
Professional Debut with the Henderson Silver Knights (2021–2024)
On March 30, 2021, Ahac signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights and joined their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. The Silver Knights, based in Henderson, Nevada, were in their inaugural AHL season and offered a natural landing spot for a young defenceman transitioning to the pro game.
Over the course of his entry-level deal, Ahac played exclusively at the AHL level with Henderson. He established himself as a steady, defence-first blueliner, contributing to the Silver Knights’ development as a franchise. At the conclusion of that contract, the Golden Knights did not extend a qualifying offer, and Ahac became an unrestricted free agent.
Abbotsford and Move to Europe (2024–2025)
On July 23, 2024, Ahac signed a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks, the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, for the 2024–25 season. The move returned him to his home province of British Columbia and offered a fresh opportunity within the Canucks organization. Unfortunately, an injury limited him to just four appearances for Abbotsford before he was released from his contract on January 15, 2025.
Two days later, on January 17, 2025, Ahac signed a one-year contract with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga, joining the team for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. The signing marked his first move to European professional hockey and a new chapter in his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ahac is recognized as a dependable, defence-oriented blueliner who uses his 6 ft 2 in frame effectively along the boards and in front of his own net. He shoots left and is comfortable in penalty-kill situations, where positioning and stick detail matter most. His progression through the BCHL, NCAA, and AHL suggests a player whose game is built on reliability rather than flashy offence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Ahac’s career so far are his 2019 Fred Page Cup championship with the Prince George Spruce Kings, his third-round selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and his appearance at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge with Canada West. Signing his first NHL contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in March 2021 and later making the move to European hockey with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec are additional milestones in his professional journey.
Layton Ahac Career Wins
Layton Ahac’s most prominent team success to date is the 2019 Fred Page Cup championship with the Prince George Spruce Kings, a major Junior A title in Canadian hockey. He has not been documented as winning an AHL or NHL championship, and his European career with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec is still in its early stages.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Ahac’s two seasons with the Prince George Spruce Kings produced both the BCHL All-Rookie Team honour in 2017–18 and a Second All-Star Team selection in 2018–19. The crowning achievement of that stretch was the Spruce Kings’ Fred Page Cup title in 2019, the BCHL’s playoff championship.
Other Performances
Beyond his junior and pro commitments, Ahac represented Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, an annual showcase that brings together top Junior A players from across the country. He contributed two points in six games during that tournament.
Layton Ahac Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Layton Ahac’s parents and family background is not publicly documented in available sources. He grew up in North Vancouver, an area known for producing professional hockey players, but specific family members in the sport have not been confirmed.
Personal Life
Layton Ahac keeps his personal life largely private. He is a Canadian national, born and raised in British Columbia, and there is no public information available regarding a spouse, partner, or children. His professional career has taken him from British Columbia to Ohio, Nevada, and now the Czech Republic.
2025 Season Performance
Layton Ahac began the 2024–25 season with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL but appeared in only four games before being released on January 15, 2025. Two days later he signed with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga, giving him an opportunity to play meaningful minutes in a top European league for the remainder of the campaign.
The mid-season move represented a significant adjustment, shifting from North American professional hockey to the Czech Extraliga’s style of play. Joining Liberec for the back half of the 2024–25 season gave Ahac a chance to reset, log games, and showcase his defensive game in a new environment.
Looking ahead, the 2025 calendar year will be an important one for Ahac as he works to establish himself in Europe and put together a full, healthy season. Continued development with Bílí Tygři Liberec and a potential longer-term contract in the Czech Extraliga remain realistic possibilities as he rebuilds his career momentum.