The U20 Five Nations Tournament got underway yesterday in Switzerland. The tournament features teams from Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and Czechia, and is utilized as an evaluation camp for these countries to select their world junior rosters. Attached is an article by THN highlighting the presence on Czechia’s roster of nine WHL players.
With respect to the above-mentioned players, five are NHL draft picks: forwards Adam Jecho (STL 2024 3rd rounder), Miroslav Holinka (TOR 2024 5th rounder), and Max Curran (COL 2024 5th rounder); and defensemen Jakub Dvorak (LAK 2023 2nd rounder), and Vojtek Port (ANA 2023 6th rounder). Also part of this group of players is undrafted goaltender Lukas Matecha of Tri-City, who will complement Michael Hrabal (Utah 2023 2nd rounder) between the pipes. Given Matecha’s size (6’4,” 192 LBS.) and edgework, it is reasonable to think he will get some serious looks by NHL teams should he perform well in tournament play after managing to post decent numbers last season on a struggling Americans’ club.
Added to these players are two high-end 2025 draft-eligibles: forward Adam Benak (ranked #15 by Draft Prospects) and defenseman Radim Mrtka (ranked #59 by Draft Prospects). Both Benak and Mrtka recently impressed at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. Finally, the presence of Eduard Sale (SEA 2023 1st rounder) both now and presumably in December has Czechia very well-positioned to make a bid for the WJC title in Sweden.