With NHL alumni like Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias, and current players tearing up the league such as David Pastrnak, Czechia boasts a strong hockey culture that is oftentimes overlooked due to the sheer numbers of players coming from the other major hockey powers of North America and Europe.
Although not all of their players remained at home after the junior level, there are plenty of Czech players looking to make names for themselves both at home and abroad before the upcoming NHL draft.
Jan Kavan – HC Kometa Brno
Despite his current 4-11-0 record, on loan to LHK Jestrabi Prostejov in Extraliga 2, Kavan has managed a .919 save percentage with a 2.76 goals-against average. The numbers point to something that has trailed Kavan throughout the start of his career, he has yet to find the proper support around him.
Kavan has maintained over a .900 save percentage throughout most of his career despite only barely hovering over a .500 win percentage with a 73-61 career record.
Kavan will likely first need his own club over in Czechia to give him a shot at the top level before expecting NHL GMs to do the same, but given his recent individual success, perhaps he could be on the way up shortly.
Maxim Vehovsky – HC Poruba
Another Czech player staying at home waiting for the chance to crack the top roster, Vehosky has not only adjusted to each new level but has excelled.
Currently, Vehosky has 8 goals and 14 points in 13 games played at the U20 level and will look to continue at this pace to see the pro level in Europe before attempting to crack the pro levels of North America.
Vehovsky is one of those players who will greatly benefit from a World Juniors roster spot and an even better performance there. He can perform once given time to adjust, and he’s had the fortune to be given that shot in Czechia. But in North America with a league already saturated with forwards, Vehovsky could use the World Juniors to show NHL clubs that he’ll be worth the wait.
Richard Zemlika – KaiPa
After two strong junior seasons at home in Czechia, Zemlika decided to branch out and head north to Finland where he joined SaiPa and lit up the U18 SM-Sarja where he tallied 30 points in 29 games.
The strong start earned Zemlika a nod to the U20 level where he struggled towards the end of the season before returning back to form in his first full season at the U20 level this year. Zemlika has 11 goals and 17 points in 18 games. Through the U18 and U20 levels internationally, Zemlika has 8 points in 12 games and could be an early contender to crack the World Juniors roster for Czechia.
Throughout his career, Zemlicka has proven that he can adjust to new challenges and even new leagues as he went from Extraliga to the SM-Sarja. If Zemlicka can continue his dominance internationally, especially against the two North American programs, he could certainly be a name to watch out for in the summer.
Samuel Fiala – Val-d’Or Foreurs, QMJHL
After a solid North American debut last season where he recorded 23 points in 60 games, this year will prove to be the most important of Fiala’s young career.
The biggest question looming over a non-North American player is whether or not they can adjust and thrive to a faster-paced game on a smaller surface. Fiala has the unique opportunity to prove his value in the West at a much earlier age than most. He’s already off to a strong start with 17 points in his first 23 games, and if he can remain on this pace he could hear his name early on day two.
Marek Rocak – Kelowna Rockets, WHL
Rocak shares a similar position to Fiala and after spending a little over five seasons playing juniors at home in Czechia, left for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.
Since he got to North America, Rocak has been an assist machine tallying 29 assists and 37 points in his first full season with the Rockets. Rocak played all 68 games for the Rockets last season and is on pace for a similar outcome this season.
This year, Rocak already has 13 points, 12 of which are assists, in his first 20 games of the season. Although he may be a little undersized for a defenseman, Rocak’s playmaking and durability could certainly draw some good publicity his way.
Given the state of Czech hockey compared to the other major powers, the road to the NHL may be a bit more difficult or may even take longer for some of these players. However, there’s still plenty of time until the 2025 NHL draft, and with strong club campaigns, and potentially some magic at the World Juniors in January, it’s unclear what the future could hold for these young players.
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