Czechia has revealed its 25-man roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics hockey tournament, spotlighting a mix of NHL talent and European standouts. Announced on Tuesday in Prague, the squad features 12 current NHL players, including superstars like Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas. Three NHL goaltenders anchor the back end, signaling confidence in net despite injury concerns elsewhere.
Notably absent is Vancouver Canucks forward Filip Chytil, sidelined by a lingering concussion. Nineteen players from this roster helped Czechia capture gold at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Prague, bringing proven chemistry to the Olympic stage. The team faces a tough Group A draw, opening against powerhouse Canada on February 12.
Goaltending depth with NHL pedigree
Czechia’s goaltending stands out as a strength, with all three netminders hailing from NHL clubs. Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Ducks is expected to claim the starter’s role after leading Czechia to Worlds gold in 2024, including shutouts against the United States and Switzerland in the final. Despite a midseason dip to a 3.22 goals-against average and .887 save percentage, his Olympic pedigree positions him as the top option.
Karel Vejmelka brings steady reliability from the Utah Mammoth, ranking among the NHL’s top starters this season with 31 appearances and tied for second in wins at 17-11-2. His experience bolsters the tandem. Dan Vladar, now with the Philadelphia Flyers, impressed as the backup at the 2025 Worlds and has settled in after a summer trade, offering veteran poise.
This trio addresses past vulnerabilities, especially against high-speed offenses like Canada’s. For more on Czechia’s recent international momentum, check their advance in the world junior championship.
Head coach Radim Rulik praised the group for their blend of youth and experience during the announcement. Their ability to rotate could prove crucial in a compact tournament schedule.
Offensive stars drive the attack
The forward corps boasts 14 players, blending NHL firepower with European scoring threats. David Pastrnak headlines the group, joined by linemate Pavel Zacha from Boston, while Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl and Colorado’s Martin Necas add dynamic playmaking. Ondrej Palat (New Jersey Devils) and Radek Faksa (Dallas Stars) round out key NHL forwards.
Veteran Roman Cervenka, the Czech Extraliga’s top scorer with 43 points in 30 games for Dynamo Pardubice, is likely captain and could center Pastrnak. Dominik Kubalik (EV Zug) and Matej Stransky (HC Davos) provide secondary scoring speed.
Other notables include Vancouver’s David Kampf, HC Litvinov’s Ondrej Kase, Farjestad’s David Tomasek, Dynamo Pardubice’s Lukas Sedlak, and Kometa Brno’s Jakub Flek. This mix echoes the 2024 Worlds champions, minus Hertl and Faksa.
Expect top lines like Pastrnak-Zacha-Cervenka to dominate power plays, with Necas rotating for matchups. NHL.com’s full roster breakdown highlights potential line combinations.
Defense faces challenges with limited NHL depth
Only eight defensemen were named, with just two active NHLers: Anaheim’s rugged Radko Gudas and Vancouver’s Filip Hronek. This reflects a broader decline in Czech blueliners in North America. Gudas and Hronek will shoulder heavy minutes against elite competition like Connor McDavid.
Veterans fill the gaps: Michal Kempny (Brynas IF), Jan Rutta (Servette Geneve), Radim Simek (Bili Tygri Liberec), and David Spacek (Iowa Wild, AHL) bring NHL experience and Worlds success. Tomas Kundratek (Ocelari Trinec) and Jiri Tichacek (Karpat Oulu) add Liiga grit.
Surprises include Tichacek’s inclusion over Minnesota Wild’s David Jiricek, prioritizing international reliability. The group must match paces against speed demons, potentially exposing mobility issues.
Rulik emphasized defensive structure in pre-tournament prep, leaning on Gudas’ physicality. See AP’s Olympics hub for tournament format details.
Group A test and medal aspirations
Czechia kicks off Group A versus Canada on February 12 in Milan, followed by France on the 13th and Switzerland on the 15th. The top group winner and best second-place team advance directly to quarterfinals; others fight through qualifiers. Gold medal game looms February 22.
Historical context fuels hope: Czechia’s last Olympic gold came in 1998 Nagano with NHLers, bronze in 2006 Turin and 2018 Pyeongchang. First NHL participation since 2014 adds intrigue.
Nineteen Worlds veterans provide continuity, but defense and Chytil’s absence test depth. Momentum from juniors underscores talent pipeline.
Czechia eyes a podium finish, leveraging offense and goaltending against favorites. Success hinges on blueline resilience and special teams in this high-stakes return. Fans anticipate fireworks when Pastrnak faces old rivals.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.