OHL Decade at the World Juniors: Czech Republic

A constant contributor for OHL talent, a slew of skillful players have had the opportunity to represent the Czech Republic in the World Juniors over the years.

This year’s team will feature a pair of 2020 NHL Draft selections in forwards Jan Mysak (Montreal Canadiens) and Jaromir Pytlik (New Jersey Devils). Mysak impressed in the second half of the 2019-20 season with 25 points in 22 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs, while Pytlik amassed an impressive 50 points over a 56-game sophomore season with the Soo Greyhounds. 2019 Chicago Blackhawks prospect Michal Teplý and 2020 Minnesota Wild pick Pavel Novák are also expected to provide a scoring touch up front.

Watch for Guelph Storm defender Martin Has on the blue line, following a six-point showing over the second half of the 2019-20 OHL season. Between the pipes will be Greyhounds goaltender Nick Malik, who posted a 3.77 goals-against average and .886 save percentage over 16 appearances.

The Czechs will compete in Group B with Russia, Sweden, United States and Austria. They will meet their first opponent in Sweden on December 26.

Here’s a look at the OHL’s Czech World Junior footprint over the past decade:

OHL Decade at the World Juniors – Czech Republic

2020, Ostrava & Trinec (7th): F Petr Cajka (Erie Otters)*, D Martin Has (North Bay Battalion), F Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs), G Nick Malik (Soo Greyhounds), F Jan Mysak (Hamilton Bulldogs), F Matej Pekar (Barrie Colts), F Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds)

2019, Vancouver (7th): F Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs), Ondrej Machala (Niagara IceDogs)*, F Matej Pekar (Barrie Colts)

2018, Buffalo (4th): F Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)

2017, Montreal & Toronto (6th): D Filip Hronek (Saginaw Spirit)

2016, Helsinki (5th): D Filip Hronek*, D Dominik Masin (Peterborough Petes), F David Tomasek (Belleville Bulls)*, F Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting)

2015, Toronto & Montreal (6th): F Dominik Kubalik (Kitchener Rangers)*, D Dominik Masin (Peterborough Petes), F Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting)

2014, Malmo (6th): F Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers), F Patrik Machac (Brampton Battalion)*, F Pavel Zacha*

2013, Ufa (5th): F Petr Beranek (Kingston Frontenacs)*, F Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers), G Matej Machovsky (Brampton Battalion)

2012, Calgary & Edmonton (5th): F Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers), G Petr Mrazek (Ottawa 67’s), F Jiri Sekac (Peterborough Petes)*

2011, Buffalo (7th): F Tomas Rachunek (Soo Greyhounds)*, D Adam Sedlak (Ottawa 67’s)

*- denotes a year before or after the player competed in the OHL