The Czechia native has posted 15 points to this point in the 2025-26 campaign
The Youngstown Phantoms have propelled themselves into first place in the United States Hockey League’s Eastern Conference after 47 games. The Phantoms are getting contributions from up and down the lineup as they hunt down their second-ever USHL title, having last won in 2022-23, when current Montreal Canadiens net-minder Jacob Fowler led the way.
As we look at this year's team, Buffalo Sabres fourth-rounder Matouš Jan Kucharčík is putting together a strong first season in North America. After spending last season in Czechia, playing in the Under-20 league and Czechia’s second division league, Kucharčík committed to bringing his talents to the USHL. In 45 games across two leagues last season, Kucharčík posted seven goals and 13 assists.
Through 32 games played with the Phantoms this season, the 18-year-old has posted eight goals and seven assists, good for eighth overall amongst all Phantom skaters and sixth most amongst the forward group. Kucharčík is on pace to post around 30 points in his first season in the USHL.
Kucharčík's two-way game has been touted as one that could play at the National Hockey League level. The 6-foot-3 forward can use his long reach to help in both ends of the rink, showcasing that with the plus-five through 32 games, tied for seventh best on the Phantoms.
Kucharčík's hockey journey began in Italy, while his father, Tomas Kucharčík, was playing with Vipiteno of the Italy-A2 league. Born in Vipiteno, Kucharčík joined Victor Posa (1985), Luca Sbisa (2008) and Damian Clara (2023) as the only Italian-born players to be drafted to the NHL. Posa was a seventh-round pick, Sbisa was a first-round pick, and Clara was selected in the second round.
Despite being born in Italy, Kucharčík has represented Czechia on the international stage, skating for them at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the Under-18 World Junior Championship, where Kucharcik was teammates with fellow Sabres 2025 first-round draft pick, Radim Mrtka.
Kucharčík will look to keep growing with the Phantoms as the forward looks to eventually become a Sabre as his career progresses.
All stats current prior to Sunday's games