Cihar excited to join Kelowna post 2026 World Juniors
Vojtech Cihar’s immediate focus is on helping Czechia win gold at the 2026 World Juniors in Minnesota.
But once that is over, a new adventure awaits in Kelowna.
“This season wasn’t that good and even last year, so with my agent we wanted to make a change,” Cihar said. “Kelowna was the best team for that.”
The LA Kings prospect will head to the WHL once the 2026 World Juniors conclude to join the 2026 Memorial Cup hosts. The 18-year-old has spent parts of the past three seasons playing professionally in his native Czechia with Karlovy Vary HC but after 76 games and 17 points (nine goals) he will now head to the best developmental league in the world.
“I’m just really excited to play in the [Memorial Cup],” Cihar said. “I’m preparing this tournament (World Juniors) to play a really good tournament like the Memorial Cup.”
In Kelowna, Cihar will join a Rockets side that will be hoping for a stronger second half of the season. Derrick Martin’s team currently sit seventh in the WHL’s Western Conference with a 17-13-4 record but have faced numerous instances of adversity all season; star forward Tij Iginla (UTA) missed the start of the season while prized acquisition Peyton Kettles (PIT) played three games before he suffered a shoulder injury that may keep him out all season.
Just an example of what Vojtech Cihar is going to bring to the #MemorialCup host @Kelowna_Rockets in the New Year!
The #GoKingsGo prospect draws 🇨🇿 level for the second time tonight! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/n3vbsrkbQI
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 27, 2025
But there’s no doubt about the talent that Cihar will join on the four-time WHL champions; in addition to Iginla, the club boasts NHL prospects Carson Wetsch (CGY), Hiroki Gojsic (NSH), Hayden Paupanekis (MTL) and Will Sharpe (LA) alongside established 20-year-olds Mazden Leslie and Shane Smith. And to make the transition even easier, Cihar will have current Czechia teammate Tomas Poletin (NYI) alongside him.
“I talked to Tomas and he told me that Kelowna has a really nice team and nice city,” Cihar said. “I’m happy to be in this organization.”
And Rockets fans should be happy to see Cihar in the near future; he currently sits tied fifth in World Juniors scoring with seven points while his five assists are tied for the second most as he has shown off his premiere offensive talent.
But for the next few days, Cihar is focused on bringing Czechia its first gold medal in 25 years. The Czechs have claimed a silver medal and two bronze’s over the past three World Juniors but that third ever gold medal continues to elude them. They will face Switzerland in Friday’s quarterfinal.
“We just want to win it because now I think we have a really good team, maybe better than last year, so I think we can win the gold,” Cihar said.
Czechia will face Switzerland in the 2026 World Juniors quarterfinals at 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT on Jan. 2.
"Now every team we will go against will be really tough."
After 🇨🇿 completed its #WorldJuniors round-robin with a win over 🇱🇻, incoming @Kelowna_Rockets forward Vojtech Cihar knows every game here-on-out will be a challenge.
📹 https://t.co/mphdXuMEH3 pic.twitter.com/OfEGy3nI6w
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 1, 2026
