1:02 p.m.: Actually, Cihar will be sticking in North America past the World Juniors. Czech Prospects on X reports he’s left Karlovy Vary and will join the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets for the remainder of the season to get some junior reps in.
12:31 p.m.: The Kings announced they’ve signed left wing prospect Vojtech Cihar to a three-year, entry-level deal. It carries a cap hit of $975K and runs through the 2027-28 season, although both of those terms will change as he’s eligible for an entry-level slide this year and next.
Cihar, 18, was the 59th overall pick in last year’s draft. The Kings will get a good look at him in North America soon enough. He’s on the Czechs’ roster for the 2026 World Juniors, which kicks off in a couple of weeks in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
It’s unusual for a player coming out of Europe who doesn’t profile as a first-round talent to spend their entire draft year without seeing time in the junior circuit. That’s what happened to Cihar, though. The 6’0″ forward has played exclusively in Czechia’s top-level Extraliga since the beginning of last season for HC Energie Karlovy Vary.
Generally, the lack of development time in juniors for a player to hone their skills offensively – especially when ice time in top-level European pro leagues for young players is hard to find – doesn’t bode well for their NHL chances. Los Angeles hopes Cihar is an exception to the rule. He’s got a good chance of doing so, particularly since he never profiled as a top-six forward. Most scouts profile him as a high-floor, bottom-six energy forward with good defensive instincts.
This season has looked good for his development path. He’s been pushing for more ice time as of late and has eight points (four goals and four assists) in 27 appearances for Karlovy Vary. That’s one point shy of his season total from last year in 43 games. He entered the season ranked as the Kings’ No. 8 prospect by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff and No. 11 by Elite Prospects.
Cihar will be loaned back to Karlovy Vary for the remainder of the season and perhaps next year as well, before L.A. brings him over to AHL Ontario, or even the NHL roster if he makes an unexpected leap in his development. For now, he doesn’t count against their 50-contract limit.