2026 NHL Draft Class Review: Czech Program – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft
The 2026 NHL draft was history for Czech hockey. After years of developing top-class striker talent, the Czech Republic saw a record six netminders drafted this year – the most ever in a single squad.
In total, 13 Czech players heard their names called in Buffalo, increasing the country’s recent presence in the draft. Forward Adam Novotny was the first Czech player selected, going 24th overall to the Vancouver Canucks, but the spotlight soon shifted to the area.
The first goaltender off the board was Tobias Trejbal, selected 42nd overall by the Calgary Flames. Trejbal was followed by Martin Psohlavec (62nd, Philadelphia Flyers), Michal Orsulak (79th, Detroit Red Wings), Marek Sklenicka (120th, Philadelphia Flyers), Tobias Tvrznik (126th, Colorado Avalanche), and Filip Ruzicka (137th, Minnesota Wild).
History Decoration Class
Czech self-determination has been on the rise for several years, and the 2026 Framework was the latest confirmation of that trend. Going into the weekend, five of the top six goalies playing in North America in the NHL Central Scouting rankings were Czech. The Czech had a great season in the minor leagues, and NHL franchises were happy to add him to their organizations, even if most of the calls came on the second day.
Orsulak and Trejbal were two of the most highly regarded Czech prospects. Orsulak, a rebounding netminder who moved to the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Prince Albert Raiders, quickly established himself as one of the league’s best young goaltenders, while Trejbal impressed with his consistency and athleticism. The latter played in the United States Hockey League (USHL) last season, and will play in the NCAA with the University of Massachusetts in the 2027-28 campaign.
Filip Ruzicka, a 6-foot-8 netminder, played his draft season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, posting a 26-14-1 record with a .906 save percentage and two shutouts. After being selected by Minnesota in the fifth round, he wasted no time starting his professional career, signing a three-year contract with the Wild shortly after the draft. Although he is not yet ready to play in the NHL, it is a good sign for a player to make an early commitment to his future team.
Novotny leads the skaters
While the goalkeepers grabbed the headlines, the Czech forwards and defenders also made an impact. Novotny became the only national first-round pick after a successful season with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 65 points (34 goals and 31 assists) in 58 games.
Defenseman Tomas Galvas was another notable selection, going 54th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins. As an adult, Galvas had established a solid reputation in Czech professional hockey for his offensive, skating, and puck-handling skills. Like Ruzicka, he was drafted by the Penguins shortly after being drafted.
A new generation of Czech players
The 2026 NHL Draft continued a strong season for Czech hockey. After 13 selections in 2025, 13 more players were selected this year, showing that the country remains one of the most productive NHL talent pools in Europe.
Looking ahead to the 2027 NHL Draft, the Czech Republic should have another strong team led by Petr Tomek, who was born in late 2008 and was ineligible for the 2026 Draft. Michal Hartl, one of the most promising players born in 2009, will also be a name to watch, along with Dominick Byrtus and Lukas Kachlir. Although it is still early in the process, the next phase of the Czech draft already has several opportunities to pursue.
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