The NHL Draft has long been a gateway for young hockey talent to reach the world’s most competitive league. Among the many countries represented over the years, the Czech Republic has consistently produced skilled players who’ve made a significant impact in the NHL. From legends like Jaromír Jágr and Patrik Eliáš to recent prospects carving their paths to stardom, Czech players have left a lasting legacy.

In this article, we take a closer look at Czech representation in the NHL Draft—highlighting key picks, trends over the decades, and what the future may hold for Czech hockey prospects.

These are only players picked in the first round of the NHL Draft.

2025
#9 Radmin MRTKA (D) – Buffalo Sabres
#25 Vaclav NESTRASIL (F) – Chicago Blackhawks

2024
#16 Adam JIRISCEK (D) – St. Louis Blues

2023
#20 Eduard SALE (F) – Seattle Kraken

2022
#6 David JIRICEK (D) – Columbus
#28 Jiri KULICH (F) – Buffalo

2018
#6 Filip ZADINA (F) – Detroit Red Wings
#16 Martin KAUT (F) – Colorado

2017
#12 Martin NECAS () – Carolina
#21 Filip CHYTIL () – New York Rangers

2015
#6 Pavel ZACHA () – New Jersey Devils
#13 Jakub ZBORIL () – Boston Bruins

2014
#13 Jakub VRANA (F) – Washington Capitals
#25 David PASTRNAK (F) – Boston Bruins

2012
#13 Radim FAKSA () – Dallas Stars
#17 Tomas HERTL () – San Jose Sharks

2007
#7 Jakub VORACEK () – Columbus

2006
#10 Michael FROLIK () – Florida Panthers
#13 Jiri TLUSTY () – Toronto

2005
#17 Martin HANZAL () – Phoenix
#19 Jakub KINDL () – Detroit Red Wings

2004
#7 Rostislav OLESZ
#9 Ladislav SMID
#17 Marek SCHWARZ
#22 Lukas KASPAR

2003
#6 Milan MICHALEK

2002
#9 Petr TATICEK
#16 Jakub KLEPIS
#19 Jakub KOREIS
#26 Martin VAGNER

2001
#13 Ales HEMSKY
#22 Jiri NOVOTNY
#24 Lukas KRAJICEK

2000
#4 Rostislav KLESLA
#14 Vaclav NEDOROST

1999
#1 Patrik STEFAN
#4 Pavel BRENDL
#26 Martin HAVLAT

1998
3

1996
1

1995
2

1994
1

1992
3

1991
1

1990
2

1989
1

1984
1

1981
1