Prospect Profile: Jeremie Biakabutuka

By Thomas Harrington

Acquired in the Cam Fowler deal in mid-December, defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka was an undrafted free agent who originally signed with St. Louis in 2023. This past season, he played in both the ECHL and AHL after the Ducks acquired him.

After signing with the Blues, Biakabutuka split time between the AHL and ECHL. In his first full professional season, he played in 63 ECHL games and one AHL game. This past season, before the trade, he suited up for one AHL game and three ECHL games. Before signing with St. Louis, Biakabutuka played in the QMJHL for five seasons and made his professional debut at the end of the 2022-2023 season, playing in three games in the AHL with the Grand Rapid Griffins.

Once Biakabutuka joined Anaheim, he was initially assigned to the ECHL. He was recalled to San Diego in early February, and returned to the ECHL in mid-March. Overall, he played in 11 games for the Gulls and recorded one assist, and 32 games for the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL where he scored seven goals and 28 points. With San Diego, he was primarily used on the team’s third pairing. In his first game with San Diego, Biakabutuka picked up his first career AHL point. 

Before his stint with the Gulls, Biakabutuka had played a total of five AHL games in his career, so while he didnt get a ton of time in San Diego, this was the best chance he’s had in the AHL so far. Despite playing in so few games for Tulsa, Biakabutuka finished tied for the team lead in goals by a defenseman and was third in assists and points by a defenseman.

Biakabutuka is a strong skater who is good at joining the rush. He also has really good size, standing at 6’4”. He doesn’t make a ton of mistakes and has a lot of raw tools. He’s definitely something of a project, but can hopefully turn into a strong defenseman someday.

Biakabutuka will likely be once again splitting time between the AHL and ECHL this coming season. Anaheim’s blueline is full of young players, and San Diego’s could be equally crowded. As a result, I don’t think Biakabutuka will be among San Diego’s regulars this coming season, but he’ll hopefully be among the first defensemen recalled from the ECHL to the Gulls.

I have two expectations for Biakabutuka this coming season. First, when he’s in the ECHL, to continue to be one of Tulsa’s more offensively gifted blueliners. He’s got some strong offensive tools and he needs to keep using and developing them. Second, to set a new career high in games played in the AHL. It was great seeing him play 11 games for San Diego and 12 overall in the AHL last year. Now he needs to show that he’s improved and play in more games for the Gulls.

Biakabutuka is a number of years away from making it to the NHL, if he ever does. While there are some notable undrafted players in the NHL today, most don’t make it. Biakabutuka likely has another year where he plays in both the AHL and ECHL. If he can improve enough, he’ll hopefully then be a full time AHL player. If he can continue to improve there for a year or two, then Biakabutuka might get called up to Anaheim.

Biakabutuka is currently signed to his entry-level contract and it will expire next summer, when he will become a restricted free agent. If he can spend most of the upcoming season in San Diego, he’ll likely be extended on a one-year, two-way deal. However, if he spends most of the season in the ECHL, the Ducks may choose to not qualify him and let him leave as a free agent.

The next prospect profile will be on forward Tim Washe.

Related Articles:

Cam Fowler Traded To St. Louis

Prospect Profile: Herman Traff

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June 7th, 2025