The Czechs and Slovaks continue to build a strong presence in international amateur tournaments, as well as at the NHL level. This obviously is due to their own strong youth and junior programs, but North American leagues play no small part in the success of their players.
With respect to Czechia’s recent international success, the CHL is without question the leader in the development of its players on this side of the pond. The 2026 World Junior Championship is the best example of this, as a record 17 players on its silver-medal winning roster are current CHL players (10 in the WHL, 5 in the OHL, & 2 in the QMJHL). This is not a new development either, as the former record of 16 was set in 2007. The 2026 group includes high-end draft-eligible players Adam Novotny (#14 North American skater, pivot for OHL Peterborough) and Michal Orsulak (#2 North American goalie for WHL Prince Albert Raiders).
With respect to Slovakia, the NCAA currently is the leader, with a record 18 Slovaks on college hockey rosters. This represents a recent sizable increase, as only seven Slovaks were NCAA players in 2021-22. Fast forward back to 2025-26, 8 Slovaks also compete in the CHL (3 apiece in the WHL & OHL, 2 in the QMJHL), and 12 are in the USHL.
The name immediately jumping out to me for Slovakia is forward Timothy Kazda (2027 draft-eligible), currently 7th in tournament scoring (3 goals & 1 assist) at the U18 World Junior Championship (in Slovakia). One of his goals was the game-winning penalty shot tally against Canada to seal the upset. Kazda currently competes for Chicago in the USHL, and will return to the Steel before attending Boston College in the fall of 2027.