Los Angeles Kings prospect Cihar named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Los Angeles Kings prospect and Kelowna Rockets forward Vojtech Cihar has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 5.

Cihar, a 19-year-old product of Chomutov, Czechia, recorded six points (3G-3A) and a plus-5 rating in two games, helping the Rockets complete a four-game sweep of the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.

The 6-foot, 181-pound left winger collected four points (1G-3A) in Game 3 against the Blazers on Tuesday, March 31, fuelling Kelowna to a 7-4 victory. The first-year WHL forward secured assists on two goals from Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla and another from defenceman and Nate Corbet, before finding the back of the net himself. Cihar’s fourth goal of the WHL Playoffs came 2:49 into the third period and gave Kelowna a 5-2 advantage. It went on to stand as the game-winning tally and Cihar was named second star of the game.

In Game 4 on Wednesday, April 1, Cihar registered a two-goal performance as the Rockets cruised by the Blazers 6-2 to complete the four-game sweep. After Kamloops staked out a 1-0 lead early in the first period, the Czech forward knotted the affair 1-1 with his fifth goal of the post-season late in the period. He then capped a run of five unanswered goals from the Rockets, notching his sixth goal of the playoffs 6:47 into the third period to put Kelowna out front by a commanding 5-1 margin. Cihar was named first star of the game for his effort in the series-clinching victory.

With 10 points (6G-4A) in four games, Cihar is tied for third in WHL Playoff scoring, while leading all rookie skaters.

Cihar has made an immediate impact since joining the Rockets following the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. In 31 regular season outings, the 2007-born winger secured 31 points (12G-19A) to help the Rockets claim fourth place in the WHL’s Western Conference.

Originally selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (38th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Cihar was acquired by the Rockets as part of the return for Caden Price ahead of the 2025 WHL Trade Deadline. Cihar signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Kelowna on December 12, 2025.

The Los Angeles Kings selected Cihar in the second round (59th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The road to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will see Cihar and the Rockets face the WHL’s regular season champion Everett Silvertips in the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven series go Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, respectively, at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. The series returns to the Okanagan and Prospera Place for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, respectively. Watch the 2026 WHL Playoffs FREE on Victory+.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild
December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals
December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild
January 5, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 12, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 19, 2026: Prab Bhathal, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 26, 2026: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
February 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
February 9, 2026: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
February 16, 2026: Jonah Sivertson, Prince Albert Raiders
February 23, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
March 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Easton Daneault, Lethbridge Hurricanes
March 16, 2026: Ben Harvey, Prince Albert Raiders
March 23, 2026: Poul Andersen, Red Deer Rebels
March 30, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.