Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Jiří Kulich is a Czech professional ice hockey player who plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 14, 2004, in Kadaň, Czech Republic, Kulich developed his passion for hockey with encouragement from his parents and older brother.
Beyond his achievements on the ice, Kulich comes from a supportive family with strong connections to sports. His father, Jaroslav Kulich, is a former competitive bodybuilder and businessman, while his mother, Kamila, has been closely involved in supporting his career. He also has an older brother, Jaroslav Kulich, who played competitive ice hockey.
In his romantic life, Kulich is in a relationship with a woman named Gabrielle, who supported him during a difficult period involving his health and hockey career. However, there is no verified public information indicating that he is married or has children.
Jiří Kulich’s Girlfriend: Who Is Gabrielle?
Jiří Kulich’s girlfriend is Gabrielle, whose relationship with the Buffalo Sabres forward was publicly confirmed in September 2026.
The confirmation came through an official Buffalo Sabres article about Kulich’s recovery from a serious medical condition that affected his hockey career.
According to the article, Gabrielle remained by Kulich’s side while he received treatment for blood clots that caused him to miss most of the 2025–26 NHL season.
His parents traveled from Czechia to support him after learning about his condition, while Gabrielle provided companionship and encouragement during the recovery process.
The experience was particularly difficult for Kulich because he faced uncertainty about his health and whether he would be able to continue playing professional hockey.
Despite those challenges, Gabrielle remained part of the support system that helped him through the experience.
Although the Sabres publicly identified Gabrielle as his girlfriend, her surname, age, occupation and family background have not been reliably established through the team’s reporting.
The couple have also kept many details about their relationship private, including when and where they first met.
Is Jiří Kulich Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jiří Kulich is married.
The Buffalo Sabres identified Gabrielle as his girlfriend in September 2026 rather than his wife.
No verified wedding announcement or marriage details have been widely reported by established hockey publications.
Therefore, Gabrielle should be identified as his girlfriend unless reliable new information establishes a change in their relationship.
Does Jiří Kulich Have Children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Jiří Kulich has children.
The Czech hockey player has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and official NHL biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Most public information concerning his family focuses on his parents, older brother and girlfriend.
Without reliable confirmation, it would be inaccurate to claim that he has children.
Jiří Kulich’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Jiří Kulich’s parents are Jaroslav Kulich and Kamila Kulichová.
Both parents have played important roles in his development, encouraging him to pursue his sporting ambitions while teaching him the importance of discipline and hard work.
In January 2023, the Czech publication iDNES interviewed Jaroslav about his son’s childhood, hockey development and international success.
The interview provided valuable information about the family’s background and the sacrifices involved in helping Jiří pursue professional hockey.
Jiří Kulich’s Father: Jaroslav Kulich
Jaroslav Kulich is Jiří Kulich’s father and one of the most influential figures in his sporting development.
Jaroslav is a former competitive bodybuilder who achieved second place in a Czech national bodybuilding competition.
He also has experience in tennis and has operated a construction company in Czechia.
According to his January 2023 interview with iDNES, Jaroslav initially hoped that at least one of his sons would become a tennis player.
However, his older son Jaroslav developed an interest in ice hockey, and Jiří eventually followed his brother into the sport.
Rather than forcing his children to pursue a particular activity, Jaroslav encouraged them to choose sports they genuinely enjoyed.
He also emphasized physical conditioning and discipline as important foundations for athletic development.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jiří continued training independently, even purchasing a resistance parachute to improve his running strength and endurance.
His father admired that dedication and believed it reflected the determination needed to compete at a professional level.
Jaroslav also helped his son maintain realistic expectations as he progressed through junior hockey and began receiving attention from NHL scouts.
When Jiří competed at the 2023 World Junior Championship, his father followed the games from home in Czechia, often waking up during the night because of the time difference.
Jaroslav expressed pride in his son’s performances while emphasizing that hockey success depends on teamwork.
Jiří Kulich’s Mother: Kamila Kulichová
Jiří Kulich’s mother is Kamila Kulichová, who has supported his hockey ambitions since childhood.
Kamila has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband, although several interviews have highlighted her devotion to her son’s career.
During the 2023 World Junior Championship, she watched Jiří’s games alongside Jaroslav at their family home in Czechia.
The couple adjusted their sleeping schedules to follow matches taking place in North America.
In a feature published by Beckett Hockey Magazine in 2025, Kulich shared an amusing story about his mother collecting his hockey trading cards.
When he received some of his first trading cards, Kamila wanted to keep copies as family mementos.
His father preferred distributing the cards to friends and acquaintances, while Kamila decided to store some safely at home.
The story illustrated the pride both parents felt as their son became increasingly recognized in professional hockey.
Kamila was also among the family members who supported Kulich during his recovery from blood clots, traveling from Czechia to be with him in Buffalo.
Her presence during that challenging period demonstrated the importance of family support beyond sporting achievements.
Jiří Kulich’s Siblings: Meet His Older Brother
Jiří Kulich has an older brother named Jaroslav Kulich, who is also an ice hockey player.
Jaroslav was born on July 14, 1998, in Kadaň, Czech Republic, making him nearly six years older than Jiří.
He was an important influence on his younger brother’s decision to pursue hockey.
Jaroslav Kulich: Jiří Kulich’s Older Brother
Jaroslav Kulich followed a competitive hockey career in Czechia, developing through the youth system of SK Kadaň.
He also played junior hockey with Piráti Chomutov before gaining experience in Czech senior competitions.
His professional and amateur hockey experience gave him valuable knowledge that he could share with his younger brother.
In an October 2020 interview with SK Kadaň, Jiří explained that Jaroslav had offered advice before his senior hockey debut.
His older brother encouraged him to remain confident, be careful against more experienced opponents and avoid becoming intimidated by the physical demands of senior hockey.
Jiří has also explained that watching Jaroslav play was one of the reasons he became interested in ice hockey as a young child.
According to their father’s interview with iDNES, Jaroslav was already playing competitive hockey when Jiří began following him to practices and games.
Being around his older brother’s teammates helped Jiří become familiar with hockey environments at an early age.
Although the brothers eventually pursued different levels of competitive hockey, their shared experiences helped establish a close sporting connection.
Jaroslav’s player profile on Elite Prospects confirms his relationship with Jiří and documents his participation in Czech hockey competitions.
Jiří Kulich’s Childhood and Family Background
Jiří Kulich grew up in Kadaň, a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic.
His family encouraged physical activity and introduced him to different sports during childhood.
Although his father had experience in bodybuilding and tennis, Jiří became particularly interested in ice hockey after watching his older brother Jaroslav.
He began participating in organized hockey at approximately four years old.
Jiří developed through the youth hockey system in Kadaň before joining the Piráti Chomutov organization.
His performances eventually earned him opportunities with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga.
At a young age, Kulich demonstrated the ability to compete against older and more experienced players.
His family continued supporting him as his hockey responsibilities increased and he began competing internationally.
How Jiří Kulich’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Family encouragement has been a consistent part of Jiří Kulich’s development.
His older brother Jaroslav introduced him to competitive hockey, while his father helped him understand the importance of training and discipline.
His mother provided emotional support throughout his youth career and transition to professional hockey.
One of his most important achievements came at the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Later that year, the Buffalo Sabres selected him with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
He subsequently moved to North America, where he continued his development with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League.
The transition required him to live independently, manage responsibilities away from home and adapt to a different style of hockey.
His parents remained closely involved in his progress despite the distance between Czechia and North America.
Kulich made his NHL debut with Buffalo on November 25, 2023, against the New Jersey Devils.
He scored his first NHL goal on October 17, 2024, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Those achievements represented important milestones for both the player and his family.
Family Support During Jiří Kulich’s Recovery
One of the most significant examples of family support came when Kulich experienced serious health problems during the 2025–26 NHL season.
After suffering from dizziness, fatigue and other symptoms, he was diagnosed with blood clots and required medical treatment.
The condition forced him to miss an extended period of professional hockey.
According to a September 16, 2026, report published by the Buffalo Sabres, his parents traveled from Czechia after learning about his condition.
His girlfriend, Gabrielle, also remained by his side throughout the difficult experience.
With support from his loved ones, teammates and medical professionals, Kulich underwent treatment and eventually returned to training.
The experience strengthened his appreciation for his health and the people supporting him outside hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jiří Kulich’s Family
Who is Jiří Kulich’s girlfriend?
Jiří Kulich’s girlfriend is named Gabrielle. Their relationship was publicly confirmed in a September 2026 article published by the Buffalo Sabres.
Is Jiří Kulich married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jiří Kulich is married. Gabrielle has been identified as his girlfriend.
Does Jiří Kulich have children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Jiří Kulich has children.
Who is Jiří Kulich’s father?
His father is Jaroslav Kulich, a former competitive bodybuilder and construction businessman in Czechia.
Who is Jiří Kulich’s mother?
His mother is Kamila Kulichová, who has supported his hockey career since childhood.
Does Jiří Kulich have siblings?
Yes. Jiří Kulich has an older brother named Jaroslav Kulich, who has also played competitive ice hockey.
How old is Jiří Kulich’s brother?
Jaroslav Kulich was born on July 14, 1998, making him approximately six years older than Jiří.
Where is Jiří Kulich’s family from?
Jiří Kulich was born and raised in Kadaň, Czech Republic. His family has strong connections to the town and its hockey community.
Did Jiří Kulich’s father play hockey?
His father, Jaroslav, was primarily involved in competitive bodybuilding and tennis. His older brother Jaroslav was the family member who inspired Jiří to begin playing hockey.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
