Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Holinka named Tempo WHL Player of the Week, Fuelled by Co-op

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and Edmonton Oil Kings forward Miroslav Holinka has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week, Fuelled by Co-op, for the week ending Sunday, April 5.

Holinka, a 20-year-old product of Zlin, Czechia, recorded eight points (6G-2A) in four games this past week as the Oil Kings head for a decisive Game 7 in the first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound centre started the week by recording one goal and was named second star in Game 3 on Tuesday, March 31, as the Oil Kings dropped a 4-3 decision to the Blades.

The following night, Holinka exploded for three goals in Game 4, boosting the Oil Kings to a 5-2 victory and drawing the series even at two games apiece. The Czech forward opened the scoring 7:34 into the first period. After Saskatoon knotted the game, it was Holinka who converted on a late first-period power play to put the visiting Oil Kings back in front by a 2-1 score. The Maple Leafs prospect completed his hat-trick effort with 22 seconds to go in the second period, registering his fifth goal of the post-season to give Edmonton a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. He was named first star of the game for his impressive performance.

Back in Edmonton for Game 5 on Friday, April 3, Holinka contributed a goal and an assist as the Oil Kings dropped a 4-2 decision to the Blades, falling behind 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Despite the outcome, Holinka was named second star of the game.

On Sunday, April 5, in a win-or-go-home Game 6, Holinka was once again pivotal, collecting a goal and an assist, including the game-winning marker, as the Oil Kings staved off elimination with a 3-2 victory in double overtime to force a winner-take-all Game 7. With 5:55 to go in the second overtime period, Holinka hammered a one-time shot from the left point, which found the back of the net to send the series back to Edmonton for Game 7 on Monday night. Holinka’s multipoint effort earned him third star honours.

With 11 points (7G-4A) in six games to start the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, Holinka sits tied atop the WHL scoring charts with Brock Souch of the Prince George Cougars. Holinka’s hot start to the post-season follows on the heels of a regular season that saw him finish second in scoring on the Oil Kings with 80 points (37G-43A) in 59 games.

Holinka was named to the WHL Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team for 2025-26.

Originally selected by the Oil Kings in the first round (14th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Holinka has tallied 125 points (56G-69A) in 106 career WHL regular season games. He has appeared in 13 career WHL Playoff games.

Holinka was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on July 15, 2025.

The first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs culminates Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. MT, when Holinka and the Oil Kings host the Blades at Rogers Place. Watch the epic conclusion to this first-round series FREE on Victory+.

Tempo WHL Player of the Week

September 22, 2025: Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors
September 29, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
October 14, 2025: Noah Kosick, Swift Current Broncos
October 20, 2025: Kooper Gizowski, Prince George Cougars
October 27, 2025: Caden Brown, Regina Pats
November 3, 2025: Max Curran, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Luke Mistelbacher, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 17, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 24, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 1, 2025: Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips
December 8, 2025: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 15, 2025: Joby Baumuller, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 22, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
December 29, 2025: Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 5, 2026: Lukas Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 12, 2026: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 19, 2026: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
January 26, 2026: Brandon Gorzynski, Prince Albert Raiders
February 2, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
February 9, 2026: Carter Sotheran, Edmonton Oil Kings
February 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 23, 2026: Owen Martin, Spokane Chiefs
March 2, 2026: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
March 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
March 23, 2026: Cameron Schmidt, Seattle Thunderbirds
March 30, 2026: Julien Maze, Calgary Hitmen

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.