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