Jakub Vaněček – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Draft Entry

2025-26 Team: Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Date of Birth: Feb. 25, 2008
Place of Birth: Humpolec, CZE
Height: 6-foot-2, Weight: 194 pounds
Shoot: Left
Position: Defender
NHL Draft Eligibility: Eligibility for the first year of 2026

Levels

After appearing in Czechia, left back Jakub Vaněček had an interesting rookie showing for the Tri-City Americans. He recorded 14 goals and 21 assists in 56 games in the top four.

In addition to his time in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Vaněček was a standout player at the U18 World Championship. He had a team-leading three goals and added two assists in Czechia’s bronze medal effort. Earlier in the calendar year, he won silver at the World Junior Championship.

Even if he is not considered a top prospect by many, Vaněček has the tools to succeed at the next level. First, his skating is in an inspiring place—perhaps his most important attribute. Even when he plays against the opposition, Vaněček keeps up with them. He can also carry the puck up the ice.

Vaněček’s defense is a big plus for him at this stage of his development, too. He’s good at closing plays in his zone, blocking penetration, things like that. His position is solid, blocking passing lanes and putting opponents in tough spots, leading to dangerous turnovers at times.

Jakub Vanecek (TC25) with a nice DZ steal and score here pic.twitter.com/3LPWu3XucV

– Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) May 6, 2026

Throughout the season, there have been offensive flashes from Vaněček. His shooting is above average, and he has shown strong performances for Tri-City and the U18s. In addition, he has a decent set of hands, allowing him to find defenders 1-on-1.

Overall, Vaněček displays many of the traits you like to see in modern NHL defensemen. He’s loud in his possessions, carries the puck, has the power to attack, and can get you out of trouble.

Some THW Draft profiles

Jakub Vaneček – NHL Draft Projection

Before the U18s, Vaněček’s draft projections were probably somewhere along the lines of picking between the 60s and 80s. After his performance and some insight from Allan Walsh, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first round.

Measurements

“Vanecek is a complete player with a strong skill set that includes excellent skating, movement, and puck skills. He excels both offensively and defensively, making smart early passes and subtle plays to cause breakaways. In the defensive position, he displays strong gap control, pinning and finishing hits effectively without over-body handling, a reliable and reliable one-puck defender. puck when space allows.” – Neutral Zone

“He beats opponents by taking away space and forcing them to the perimeter. Vanecek doesn’t play much, although his decision-making needs a little work. I like his two-man game and I think he’ll be forced into a low position one day.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“He’s not a big body, but he’s competitive, he can move and shoot pucks, he skates well and he’s a quick thinker in North America. I’m not sure he has the highest PP or PK levels, which made me a bit hesitant to rank him when it started to get noisy around him in the late fall, but he’s a good mid-round player.” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (from ‘2026 NHL Draft rankings: Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg top Wheeler’s March 64 best list,’ Athletic – March 17, 2026)

Power

• Walking
• Close the defense, put
• Carrying pucks
• Shot

Under Construction – Improvements To Be Made

• What’s annoying
• It would have to be more of a penalty killer

NHL Power

The potential ceiling for Vaněček is the No. 5 defenseman in the NHL—someone who does almost everything well. If his first WHL campaign was any indication, he has potential.

Risk – 2.5/5, Reward – 3.5/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Offense – 5.5/10, Defense – 7.5/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2023-24 YOG Silver Medal
• 2025-26 U18 WJC Bronze Medal
• 2025-26 U18 WJC Most Goals by a Defender (3)
• 2025-26 U20 WJC Silver Medal

Interviews/LinMr

Jakub Vaněček Mathematics

Videos

What a shot from Jakub Vanecek on the power play! 💪🚨 #WorldJuniors #IIHF @czehockey pic.twitter.com/wvcj36B7jB

– IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 1, 2026

Jakub Vanecek gives Czechia an early start! 🇨🇿🔥 #WorldJuniors #IIHF @czehockey pic.twitter.com/F1ySWPv9cg

– IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 25, 2026

Three-point night (1G, 2A) by Jakub Vaněček in Tri-City’s 3–2 win tonight.

Earlier this week, Vaněček and Dravecký received a B rating from NHL Central Scouting on their watch list, making them the top-rated Czech defensemen in the 2026 NHL Draft.pic.twitter.com/HH9s174Axl

– Czech Prospects (@CZprospects) October 25, 2025