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, February 22, 2026.

Cihar, an 18-year-old product of Chomutov, Czechia, recorded five points (3G-2A) and a plus-5 rating in three games as the 2026 Memorial Cup host Rockets went 3-0-0-0 this past week.

The 6-foot, 181-pound left winger started his week with a two-goal performance Monday, February 16, in a 7-2 home ice victory over the Tri-City Americans. Cihar collected his fourth goal of the season, converting on a power play with 5:41 to go in the first period, giving Kelowna a 2-0 lead. Late in the second period, he registered his fifth goal of the campaign, putting the Rockets in front by a 6-1 margin. Cihar was named first star of the game for his performance.

Friday, February 20, Cihar provided the primary assist on the overtime winning goal as Kelowna edged the Kamloops Blazers by a 3-2 score at Sandman Centre. In the extra period, Cihar one-timed a seam pass from Hayden Paupanekis, creating an opportunity in the Kamloops crease. Though netminder Ivans Kufterins turned aside the first shot, veteran Rockets defenceman Mazden Leslie pounced on a rebound, giving Kelowna the victory.

Saturday, February 21, back in Kelowna, the Rockets doubled up the Blazers by a 4-2 margin in the back half of the weekend home-and-home series. Cihar recorded another two points (1G-1A) to help his Club to the win. In the first period, the Kings prospect setup Ty Halaburda for his 26th goal of the season, opening the scoring. Cihar then bookended the scoring in the third period, notching an empty-net goal on the power play with 34 seconds remaining in regulation.

Cihar, who was selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (38th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, was acquired by the Rockets from Lethbridge in a deal that included veteran forward Shane Smith. Cihar signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement on December 12, 2025, before going on to represent Czechia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

After the conclusion of a successful 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship that included a silver medal and saw him notch 12 points (4G-8A) in seven games, Cihar joined the Rockets. Since landing in Kelowna, the highly touted Kings prospect has secured 18 points (6G-12A) in 20 games.

Cihar is in the midst of a seven-game point-scoring streak dating back to February 7, 2026, in which he has posted nine points (5G-4A).

Coming out of the weekend, the Rockets (31-18-5-2) rank fourth in the WHL’s Western Conference.

Next up, Cihar and the Rockets host the Seattle Thunderbirds (23-25-4-3) Wednesday, February 25 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Prospera Place in Kelowna.

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 Hiten
November 17, 2025: 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

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.