Four players that have already been drafted by NHL teams are on the Czech roster for a five-team U-20 tournament that will take place Nov. 5 to 9 in Piešťany, Slovakia. The tournament will be the last U-20 event in Europe prior to this winter’s IIHF World Junior Championship and should include the best eligible players from Czechia, Finland [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/12-nhl-draftees-8-world-junior-returnees-on-finland-s-u-20-five-nations-squad], Sweden [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/four-draft-eligible-players-named-to-sweden-s-five-nations-roster], Switzerland and host Slovakia [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/slovakia-ready-to-host-u-20-tournament-without-stars] (scroll to the bottom to see the schedule). The four drafted players are all forwards: Vojtěch Čihař [https://thehockeynews.com/international/kings-2nd-round-draft-pick-contemplates-staying-in-czechia-or-moving-overseas] of the Los Angeles Kings [http://thn.com/losangeles], Štěpán Hoch of the Utah Mammoth [http://thn.com/utah], Ondřej Kos of the St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis] and Petr Sikora of the Washington Capitals [http://thn.com/washington]. Kos and Sikora were members of last year’s bronze-medal-winning team in Ottawa [https://thehockeynews.com/international/bronze-czechs-arrive-in-prague-we-would-have-died-for-each-other]. Sikora had seven points in seven games and drew a lot of attention during the quarterfinal game against Canada [https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/petr-sikora-its-a-charley-horse-i-got-hit-in-the-thigh-by-beaudoin] following a collision that saw Cole Beaudoin ejected from the game for kneeing. Canadian fans accused Sikora – who appeared injured on the play but returned to the ice on the following power play – of embellishment, which Sikora strenuously denied [https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/petr-sikora-its-a-charley-horse-i-got-hit-in-the-thigh-by-beaudoin]. Czech Petr Sikora: “It’s A Charley Horse – I Got Hit In The Thigh” By Beaudoin [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjExODYzMTU2NjMxMjgzMjM1/2024-10-16_tri-unia-101313-imag.jpg] Czech Petr Sikora: “It’s A Charley Horse – I Got Hit In The Thigh” By Beaudoin While Canadian hockey fans suffered through a near-existential crisis on Thursday during Canada’s 4-3 loss to Czechia in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinals, one of the outlets for their anger and frustration – in addition to referees, coaches and Hockey Canada itself – was Czech center Petr Sikora. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/petr-sikora-its-a-charley-horse-i-got-hit-in-the-thigh-by-beaudoin] The only other European-based player eligible to return from last year's team is 19-year-old undrafted defenseman Tomáš Galvas, who is currently out with a shoulder injury. All players on the roster were born in 2006 or 2007 – the youngest player on the team and the only one on the roster who has not already been exposed to the NHL Entry Draft is 17-year-old Jakub Frolo, a December-born forward who plays in Finland. 12 NHL Draftees, 8 World Junior Returnees On Finland's U-20 Five Nations Squad [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f5d2a3bc-4688-4d5a-8979-ba9885e2cc34.jpeg] 12 NHL Draftees, 8 World Junior Returnees On Finland's U-20 Five Nations Squad Finland's U-20 squad boasts 12 NHL draftees and eight returnees from last year's IIHF World Junior Championship, led by captain Aron Kiviharju. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/12-nhl-draftees-8-world-junior-returnees-on-finland-s-u-20-five-nations-squad] Goaltenders: Adam Ebenstreit (Slavia Prague), Matyáš Mařík (České Budějovice). Defensemen: Vojtěch Pilíšek (Liberec), Martin Švec, Marek Chaloupka (both Pardubice), Vashek Blanár (HV71 Jönköping, SWE), Pavel Průšek, Aleš Zielinski (both Třinec), Ondřej Postl (Karlovy Vary). Forwards: Adrien Bartovič (Liberec), Šimon Fasner (Vítkovice), Oskar Lisler (Kladno), Vojtěch Čihař (Karlovy Vary / Los Angeles Kings [http://thn.com/losangeles]), Petr Tomek (Karlovy Vary), Štěpán Hoch (České Budějovice / Utah Mammoth [http://thn.com/utah]), Richard Žemlička (SaiPa Lappeenranta, FIN), Ondřej Kos (Ilves Tampere, FIN / St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis]), Jakub Frolo (Ilves Tampere, FIN), Samuel Karol Jung (Kärpät Oulu, FIN), Danny Chludil (Kometa Brno), Petr Sikora (Třinec / Washington Capitals [http://thn.com/washington]), Matěj Kubiesa (Třinec). Kings 2nd-Round Draft Pick Contemplates Staying In Czechia Or Moving Overseas [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7f48e888-b39e-4255-b393-610a5d40bc90.webp] Kings 2nd-Round Draft Pick Contemplates Staying In Czechia Or Moving Overseas Czech left winger Vojtěch Čihař, who turned 18 in March, was drafted in the second round, 59th overall, by the <a href="http://thn.com/losangeles">Los Angeles Kings</a> at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, which happened to be in Los Angeles. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/kings-2nd-round-draft-pick-contemplates-staying-in-czechia-or-moving-overseas] Reserves: Goaltenders: Stanislav Žbánek (Sparta Prague). Defensemen: Marek Macháček (Liberec), Jakub Zubíček (Kometa Brno), Petr Soušek (Litvínov), Alex Drábek (Vítkovice), David Svozil (Tappara Tampere, FIN). Forwards: Matyáš Humeník, Jakub Lev (both České Budějovice), Vasyl Špilka (Liberec), Patrik Král (Mladá Boleslav), Artur Matějovský (Slavia Prague), Matyáš Úbl (Škoda Plzeň), Lukáš Král (Lulea, SWE). Manager: Otakar Černý. Head Coach: Patrik Augusta. Assistant Coaches: Pavel Trnka, Robert Reichel. Goaltending Coach: Martin Láska. Slovakia Ready To Host U-20 Tournament ‘Without Stars’ [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5e767b49-0bb4-40c7-a63c-0e62fc6d00b6.jpeg] Slovakia Ready To Host U-20 Tournament ‘Without Stars’ Slovakia hosts a U-20 tournament featuring top European talent ahead of the IIHF World Junior Championship. Lacking star power, the team emphasizes grit and team spirit to forge a path to junior hockey's elite. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/slovakia-ready-to-host-u-20-tournament-without-stars] TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES CET) Wednesday, Nov. 5: 13:30 Switzerland – Sweden 17:00 Finland – Slovakia Thursday, Nov. 6: 13:30 Czechia – Finland 17:00 Sweden – Slovakia Friday, Nov. 7: 13:30 Sweden – Finland 17:00 Switzerland – Czechia Saturday, Nov. 8: 13:30 Finland – Switzerland 17:00 Slovakia – Czechia Sunday, Nov. 9: 11:30 Czechia – Sweden 15:00 Slovakia – Switzerland Four Draft-Eligible Players Named to Sweden’s Five Nations Roster [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e3bc8a26-7dbe-4976-8427-75950c219257.jpeg] Four Draft-Eligible Players Named to Sweden’s Five Nations Roster Jacob Smeds provides a recap of Sweden’s U20 roster for the November Five Nations Tournament in Piestany, featuring four draft-eligible players. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/four-draft-eligible-players-named-to-sweden-s-five-nations-roster]
