After playing the past season for the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, 20-year-old Czech defenseman David Moravec has signed a one-year contract with Extraliga club Energie Karlovy Vary, with an option for a second.

“After the season overseas, my agent and I were planning where to go next, and I knew I couldn’t play junior anymore and had to switch to adult hockey. During the season I was already in contact with Energie, and I received an offer. The team also has (coach Pavel) Patera, who had me in Boleslav for two years,” Moravec old the Karlovy Vary club website.

“It's definitely not going to be easy after two years overseas. I will have to get used to the wider rink and game tactics, but I am already looking forward to the start of the season and getting to know Karlovy Vary and the fans to the fullest.”

During his two years in Halifax, the 6-foot, 190-pound (86 kg, 182 cm) Moravec played 143 regular-season and playoff games, scoring eight goals and tallying 54 points and 50 penalty minutes.

Moravec was part of a bumper crop of 2003- and 2004-born Czech defensemen that included Stanislav Svozil, David Jiříček, David Špaček and Tomáš Hamara. At the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship, Moravec led the Czech defense with four points, and was part of the squad that won a silver medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship. Despite that, Moravec was never drafted. Still young, however, Moravec still has big dreams for his career.

“I will set big ambitions for myself to work harder and harder every day,” he said. “But mainly I want to help the team. I would like to lead the team into the playoffs, and then it’s hockey – you never know what can happen, but I definitely want to go as far as possible.”

Moravec already has a bit of experience playing pro hockey. Prior to his tenure in the Q, Moravec played 67 Extraliga games and three Champions Hockey League games for BK Mladá Boleslav.