Eleven players from Czechia were selected at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, with defenseman Radim Mrtka (Buffalo Sabres, #9) the highest pick, followed by forward Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks, #25) and defenseman Max Psenicka (Utah Mammoth, #46).
Utah was the most active team, adding two Czech players in total, including forward Stepan Hoch at 78th overall. This year, the Czechs will bring to the table other interesting options, especially at the goaltending position.
5. Filip Novak, Forward
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 22nd (International Skaters)
Filip Novak is not the kind of prospect who will dazzle you with highlight-reel plays, but he makes up for it with intelligence and consistency. At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, the HC Sparta Praha left wing is a reliable two-way forward with great hands, strong positional awareness, and a controlled, low-risk approach to the game.
He proved himself as a point-per-game player at the U20 level in Czechia, adding valuable pro experience at the senior level as well. His skating remains a work in progress, and he lacks the elite upside of some of his Czech peers, but the tools are there for a dependable third-line role at the NHL level. Most outlets see him as a second-to-third-round target at the 2026 Draft.
4. Jakub Vanecek, Defenseman
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 31st (International Skaters)
Jakub Vanecek came to North America as a relative unknown and quickly established himself as one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 6-foot-2, 194-pound left-shot defenseman recorded 14 goals and 21 assists in 59 games for the Tri-City Americans, showing he can contribute on both ends of the ice.
His skating is arguably his best asset, allowing him to keep up with opposing forwards in tight coverage while also carrying the puck efficiently out of his own zone. He excels at reading plays before they develop, forcing turnovers and preventing zone entries with smart, composed positioning.
He also shone on the international stage, posting three goals and two assists at the U18 World Championship to help Czechia claim a bronze medal, then adding a silver at the World Juniors. While his offensive upside and physicality still need refinement, his post-U18 performances have some scouts wondering whether he could sneak as high as the first round.
3. Tobias Trejbal, Goalie
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 3rd (North American Goalies)
Tobias Trejbal is one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in the entire 2026 class. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-catching netminder had a dominant debut season in North America with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), posting a 2.12 goals-against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage (SV%) across 42 games, good enough to earn USHL Goaltender of the Year, First All-Star Team, and All-Rookie Team honors.
Trejbal brings an NHL-ready frame and a mechanically sound game to the table. He tracks plays well, challenges shooters effectively to cut down angles, and uses his wide butterfly stance to take away as much net as possible. He even chipped in five assists during the regular season, a testament to his puck-handling ability.
Areas like rebound control and glove-hand consistency still need polish, but the upside is undeniable. NHL Central Scouting ranked him third among North American goalies, and he is a strong candidate to be one of the first North American netminders off the board in the second round.
2. Adam Novotny, Forward
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 14th (North American Skaters)
Adam Novotny has been one of the most consistent first-round names throughout the entire 2026 draft cycle, and for good reason. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound left winger from Hradec Kralove delivered 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points in 58 games with the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), making his case as one of the most well-rounded power forwards in this class.
What sets Novotny apart is the combination of a quick, deceptive shot with a great motor and genuine physicality. He protects the puck well along the boards, competes hard on the backcheck, and never takes a shift off. His defensive anticipation and positioning are well above average for a player his age.
The areas that still need work are his playmaking, as he can be prone to tunnel vision and pass up better options in favor of the shot, and his skating speed. But his shooting ability alone makes him worthy of a rather high pick in the upcoming selections.
1. Michal Orsulak, Goalie
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 2nd (North American Goalies)
Michal Orsulak enters the 2026 draft as a second-year eligible goaltender who made the most of his extra time to develop. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-catching netminder had a standout WHL season with the Prince Albert Raiders, posting a .907 SV%, a 2.22 GAA, 28 wins, and four shutouts, earning a spot among the finalists for WHL Goaltender of the Year.
Orsulak’s size is his calling card. He uses his imposing frame and long reach to cut off angles efficiently, and he impresses with the calm, patient approach he brings when facing shooters. He also shone on the international stage, winning silver with Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Championship. Lateral quickness and glove-hand consistency remain works in progress, but the tools are there for a reliable NHL 1B role down the line.
HMs
Tobias Tvrznik, Goalie
Tobias Tvrznik is a second-year eligible right-catching goaltender who impressed in his WHL debut with the Wenatchee Wild, posting a .913 SV% in 39 games. At 6-foot-4, he brings good size and composure under pressure, and is committed to Ohio State for his further development.
Vladimir Dravecky, Defenseman
Vladimir Dravecky is a right-shot defenseman who stepped into the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs and quickly made an impact at both ends of the ice, showing poise against top competition. Listed at around 6-foot and 190 pounds, he blends mobility, physical strength, and an NHL-caliber shot from the point, and comes with extensive experience across Czechia, Slovakia, Sweden, and now Canada in the lead-up to the 2026 NHL Draft. The son of long-time Slovak pro Vladimir Dravecky Sr., he also brings a notable hockey pedigree to his game.
The Year of the Czech Goalie
“The year of the Czech goalie” fits a 2026 class unusually rich in Czech netminders with real NHL upside. Between big, composed prospects like Orsulak and several other early- and mid-round candidates, Czechia’s deep pipeline in net is poised to be one of this draft’s defining storylines. If things break right, a few of these kids may eventually join Lukas Dostal and other acclaimed Czech NHL goalies as the country’s next wave of high-impact crease talents.
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