Czechia has two World Championship bronze medals, but the burgeoning hockey nation is missing one significant piece of hardware: an Olympic medal. Czechia will look to change that after slipping to fourth place again in 2025 at the Worlds. Czechia, however, has struggled to field a full roster the last few seasons with injuries affecting their depth.
This year, Czechia looks like they'll have their deepest and strongest roster yet, including even more players cutting their teeth in the PWHL.
Peslarova Remains Czechia's Focus In Net
Klara Peslarova made the difficult decision this offseason to turn down the multiple teams in the PWHL who came calling for her. Instead she signed in Brynas with the SDHL to get more meaningful games under her belt prior to the Milano Cortina Olympics. She'll still be splitting time with Ena Nystrom, but it will be a shared crease, not one where Peslarova will only be receiving spot duty. Michaela Hesova emerged as Czechia's number two at the 2025 World Championships and should something happen to Peslarova, it will be her crease despite being only 19 years old. Beyond that duo, Viktorie Svejdova and Blanka Skodova are the next candidates to fill the third spot.
The Picks: Klara Peslarova, Michaela Hesova, Viktorie Svejdova.
Defensive Depth Improving For Czechia
Czechia's blueline has progressively improved in recent seasons with the development of a core group of youth. Their anchors remain Aneta Tejralova and veteran Dominika Laskova, but the young quartet of Daniela Pejsova, who plays in the PWHL with Boston, along with Sara Cajanova, Teresa Radova, and Andrea Trnkova have developed into a formidable group. Klara Seroiszkova is the likely seventh. Czechia has a group of talented defenders on the way, but they're more likely candidates for the 2030 Olympics, not 2026.
Forwards Reaching An Elite Level
Like Canada, USA, and Finland, Czechia is ready to join the conversation for nations who can outscore their opponents. The addition of Kristyna Kaltounkova, the PWHL's first overall pick in 2025, to their lineup was an immense boost. She was joined in the PWHL Draft by 12th overall pick Natalie Mlynkova. Both have been named World Championship All-Stars, and are at the heart of Czechia's future. They'll get an added boost this season from Adela Sapovalivova and Tereza Plosova who are joining NCAA powerhouse programs at Wisconsin and Minnesota respectively.
Surrounding this young core is Czechia's pro cohort of Katerina Mrazova, Tereza Vanisova, Denisa Krizova, and Klara Hymlarova who will all return to the PWHL this season. Michela Pejzlova could be in the PWHL but remains in Switzerland, where she'll be joined by Noemi Neubauerova who left the PWHL after one season to return to Europe for more playing time heading toward the Olympics.
Rounding out Czechia's forward group will be a mix of veterans and youth, with a likely emphasis on young players. Tereza Pistekova, Barbora Jurickova, and Linda Vocetkova are three young players who should be there, while Vendula Pribylova can add veteran depth.
Possible Lineup
Adela Sapovalivova - Kateirna Mrazova - Kristyna Kaltounkova
Denisa Krizova - Natalie Mlynkova - Tereza Vanisova
Tereza Plosova - Michela Pejzlova - Klara Hymlarova
Tereza Pistekova - Noemi Neubauerova - Barbora Jurickova
Vendula Pribylova - Linda Vocetkova
Aneta Tejralova - Daniela Pejsova
Sara Cajanova - Dominika Laskova
Tereza Radova - Andrea Trnkova
Klara Seroiszkova
Klara Peslarova - Michaela Hesova - Viktorie Svejdova