Jul 2, 2024; Irvine, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks prospect Vojtech Port goes through a drill during development camp at Great Park Ice. Mandatory Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey NewsThe Ducks' blue line is stocked full of potential. There's Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov at the NHL level. Tristan Luneau should be a full-time NHLer in 2025-26 after a terrific 2024-25 season in the AHL. With the amount of defenders, it's a difficult depth chart to crack.
2023 sixth-round pick Vojtěch Port is the latest blueliner to experience this. It appears that the Ducks will not offer him an entry-level contract (ELC) before his rights expire on June 1. On Wednesday, Czech club Vítkovice Ridera announced that they have signed Port for the 2025-26 season.
"I am really looking forward to the new challenge and I am very happy that I will make the step into adult hockey in Vítkovice under coaches who have achieved so much in the Extraliga," Port said (translated from Czech).
An offensively-minded defenseman, Port took on a different role midway through the 2023-24 season after being traded from Edmonton to Moose Jaw in the WHL. He became a player who was leaned on more for his defensive abilities than his offensive. Another trade midway through the 2024-25 season to Lethbridge saw him solidify their blue line en route to the WHL Conference Championship.
Port also played a large role for Czechia in this past year's World Juniors tournament, helping them win a bronze medal. Port had missed the 2024 World Juniors because of a broken finger.
With the emergence of Drew Helleson and the addition of Ian Moore, it would have been difficult for Port to break into the organizational depth chart even at the AHL level, which currently holds Noah Warren, Stian Solberg and many others.
The opportunity to play professional hockey in his home country will suit Port well and allows him to perhaps showcase his skills for an eventual return to North America in the future.