Sting Sign Import and NHL Draft Prospect Simon Katolicky to Standard Player Agreement
The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Simon Katolicky to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Katolicky, a 6-foot-4, 198-pound left-shot forward from Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic, was selected by the Sting in the first round (11th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
The 2008-born forward spent the 2025-26 season with Tappara U20 in Finland, recording six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 29 games. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, Katolicky brings a unique combination of size, skill, and offensive ability to the Sting lineup.
Katolicky arrives in Sarnia as a top NHL Draft prospect available in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ranked 21st among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting, he is set to attend the NHL Scouting Combine next week ahead of the NHL Draft later in june.
Internationally, Katolicky has represented Czechia on multiple occasions, including helping his country capture a bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. Sting fans may also recognize his name from the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which was hosted in Sarnia, where he showcased the combination of size, skating ability and skill that has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in his draft class.
NHL Draft analyst Scott Wheeler recently highlighted Katolicky among the more interesting prospects available in the 2026 NHL Draft, describing him as “a big, strong, athletic, good-skating left-shot right winger” who impressed scouts at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia. Wheeler also noted Katolicky’s ability to protect pucks, forecheck effectively and create offense off the rush.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Sarnia Sting organization,” said Katolicky. “I can’t wait to get to Sarnia and join the team.”
Sting General Manager Dylan Seca believes Katolicky has the tools to make an immediate impact.
“Simon is going to be an incredibly exciting player for our organization,” said Seca. “He’s a big kid who moves really well and is electric off the rush. He’s someone who can push the pace for our hockey club. He has a great shot, loves finding open ice, and embraces being relied upon as a go-to player. We really believe he’s going to be a huge piece of our hockey club moving forward.”
The Sting selected Katolicky for his combination of size, skating ability, and offensive upside. Katolicky possesses a pro frame while maintaining the speed and skill needed to create offense in transition and generate scoring opportunities. His combination of size, skating, and offensive potential makes him an exciting addition to the organization’s future.
Katolicky is expected to join the Sting ahead of the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League season.
The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club would like to welcome Simon and his family to the organization.
