Central Europe Stock Watch: Petr Tomek enjoying breakout performance in Czechia
Hockey across Central Europe has been underway for over a month at all levels. During that time, we’ve already seen a number of surprises, from unexpected breakout performers to key players struggling to find their form.
In Czechia, all eyes have been on a 16-year-old sensation who delivered one of the most impressive starts to a men’s league season in history, drawing new fans to the rink with his performances. Meanwhile, in Slovakia, a ‘Kid Line’, featuring some of the country’s top draft-eligible forwards, has quickly become a storyline to watch.
Let’s take a look at how players have fared early in the season.
Stock Rising 📈
Petr Tomek, C, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (2027 NHL Draft)
Petr Tomek entered the season with a challenging task, stepping into the Czech U18 national team’s top centre role at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on home ice, replacing Adam Benák in that spot. He handled the responsibility well, emerging as one of the team’s most reliable forwards throughout the tournament. He began the year in the Czech junior league, but was quickly and somewhat unexpectedly called up to the men’s team, where he made his professional debut.
Even he couldn’t have imagined the kind of start that followed. Over his first six games, Tomek scored five goals, briefly tying for the league lead and recording the second-best start by a 16-year-old in the history of Czech and former Czechoslovak men’s hockey. His goals were no fluke. Tomek plays with a consistently high motor and uses his hockey IQ to compensate for his smaller frame. His ability to read the play and make quick decisions allows him to catch opponents off guard, steal pucks, and drive transition. Many of his goals came directly off these breakout plays. But his impact isn’t limited to rush chances. He’s shown a willingness to battle along the boards and has made several dangerous passes from the offensive zone, displaying a well-rounded offensive toolkit.
It’s clear that maintaining this pace at the men’s level for a full season will be a tall order, and he’ll likely return to junior at some point. However, this early experience has given him a significant confidence boost that should benefit him for the rest of the year. It could also play a key role when he decides where to spend his draft season next year, whether to stay in Czechia or join Kamloops, who selected him in the CHL Import Draft.
Tomáš Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (2026 NHL Draft)
Tomáš Chrenko began his season in the Slovak junior league, where he recorded four points in his first two games before earning a call-up to HK Nitra’s men’s team. Slotted into the fourth line alongside fellow Slovak talent Adam Nemec, he was given a decent amount of ice time, including power-play opportunities, and produced four points in his first stretch of games at the pro level. We initially placed him in the B tier of our watchlist, but his strong early-season performances have helped him climb within that grade.
In the minutes he’s received so far, Chrenko has shown off much of his offensive toolkit. Dynamic and quick on his skates, he plays with a high motor and displays his intelligence both with and without the puck, often driving his line’s play. He uses quick give-and-go sequences to open up defenders, drawing opponents toward him to free up space for teammates on the perimeter. If he doesn’t beat defenders with a pass, he can surprise them with his soft hands and quick dekes.
Getting regular pro minutes and maintaining consistent production could help him rise up draft boards as the season progresses. With his smaller frame and occasional struggles in physical battles, he’ll need to continue proving that he can overcome his size through skill and pace at higher levels.
Adam Nemec, LW, HK Nitra (2026 NHL Draft)
The aforementioned Nemec’s situation was slightly more favorable than Chrenko’s at the start of the season. He opened the year directly at the pro level and, while he spent most of his time on the fourth line, he also saw some shifts in the top line. He produced a solid four points early on. He entered our watchlist with a B grade, but his early-season performances have pushed him toward the top of that group as a player who could hear his name called early in the second round.
Nemec brings quick feet and a high motor to his line. He’s often the first forward backchecking, and within seconds of regaining possession, he’s already operating deep in the offensive zone. His game isn’t just about off-puck activity, though. He’s shown intriguing passing and stickhandling skills, can place his shot well, and demonstrates creativity around the net, where he’s quick to pounce on rebounds and loose pucks.
There’s still plenty of work ahead for Nemec this season. He needs to find more consistency with the puck on his stick and continue to develop his physical game. His skating and work rate allow him to be effective in the Slovak league, but the question remains whether that will be enough as he moves up levels. If he can add those elements, he has the tools to become a very interesting prospect.
Patrik Poláček, PK, HC Sparta Praha U17 (2027 NHL Draft)
Patrik Poláček burst onto the Czech U17 scene like a lightning storm. He’s registered points in every game so far, putting up 32 points in 13 outings. Not only has he already matched his point total from last season, but he currently leads the league in scoring — an impressive feat given Czechia has a particularly strong 2009-born age group. He’s also appeared in one U20 game, where a three-point performance allowed him to keep his scoring streak alive.
With his size, Poláček is impossible to miss on the ice, and he knows how to use his frame to his advantage. In most situations, defenders simply struggle to knock him off the puck thanks to his strong puck protection. His game isn’t just about physical play and board battles, though. For a player of his size, he has surprisingly solid footspeed, which helps him separate from defenders and drive into dangerous areas. With the puck, he leans more toward playmaking, remaining calm under pressure and able to manoeuvre effectively in tight spaces. His quick release can also catch goaltenders off guard.
Continuing to dominate at the U17 level will boost his confidence and give him time to refine his skating mechanics and puck skills. However, it would likely benefit him more to earn regular time in the U20 league, where he could test himself against older and stronger competition and prove he can maintain his production ahead of his draft season.
Stock Steady ↔️
Filip Novák, LW, HC Sparta Praha U20 (2026 NHL Draft)
Filip Novák showed some intriguing offensive flashes at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. After deciding not to head to the WHL and instead stay in Czechia, expectations were understandably high. Through his first 11 games in the Czech U20 league, he’s recorded a solid 12 points. However, given his mature frame and status as one of the top Czech forward prospects in this draft class, a point-per-game pace feels a bit underwhelming considering the overall level of competition in the junior league.
As mentioned before, his game is dominant, and it’s hard to miss him whenever he’s on the ice. His quick first steps allow him to outskate nearly any opponent in the league. He effectively uses his size to protect the puck, fend off defenders, and win board battles. It’s also clear that his hockey IQ — both on and off the puck — stands out against his peers. His quick hands give him an extra layer of unpredictability; he’s not afraid to try creative moves, including pulling off a between-the-legs goal after cutting into the slot from the boards.
Novák recently made his men’s hockey debut in a Champions Hockey League game. Earning more opportunities and minutes at the pro level will be key for him this season, and give him a chance to showcase his tools against tougher competition. In the meantime, he’ll need to increase his production in the U20 league, which is beginning to look like a level he’s already outgrown.
Stock Falling 📉
Vojtěch Švancar, LW/RW, HC Slavia Praha U20 (2026 NHL Draft)
Vojtěch Švancar started the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on the top line, but gradually fell to the bottom-six as the tournament progressed. After playing 16 games in men’s hockey last season and recording six points, he began this year in the U20 league, where his experience should make him one of the more impactful players. However, through 11 games he’s managed just six points and is a team-worst minus-11.
He plays with an inconsistent motor and attempts to apply pressure with the puck. Outside of forechecking and board battles, he is most noticeable when finding the soft spots in defenders’ coverage and creating breakaway chances, although he’s struggled to convert these opportunities. He also shows flashes of smart playmaking with occasional effective give-and-go sequences.
Overall, Švancar has yet to display the level of hockey he showed last season, which initially made him an interesting prospect for NHL draft consideration. If he hopes to hear his name called, he will need to become more productive and earn additional opportunities at the men’s level to prove he can perform consistently against higher-level competition.
