Vojtech Cihar (LW, L, 6’0″, 176, HC Energie Karlovy Vary U20, 03/29/2007)
Vojtech Cihar is a 2007-born forward who earned meaningful ice time (13:31/game) playing against grown men in the Czech Extraliga, a rare feat for a player his age. A physically engaged winger with legitimate two-way presence and offensive instincts, Cihar plays with an edge, tracks well through all three zones, and has shown he can generate Grade “A” scoring chances despite limited offensive production. While his current stats don’t pop off the page (9 points in 43 games), context is critical: he’s a draft-eligible teenager playing a regular shift in a top-tier professional league. He’s trusted in all situations and competes hard, but a lack of puck touch, poor passing metrics, and minimal play-driving remain areas of concern at this stage.
Why Vojtech Cihar Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Plays a Regular Role Against Men as a 17-Year-Old
Logging 13:31 of TOI with nearly 2 minutes of power play time per night in the Czech pro league is exceptional for a 2007. Cihar held his own physically (1.2 hits/game) and was not sheltered defensively. His +4 rating on a team where many young players were negative is another encouraging indicator of trust and performance.
2) High-End Scoring Chance Creation
Despite only averaging 2.2 shot attempts/game, Cihar generated 1.22 Grade “A” chances/game, placing him in the top tier among draft-eligible European forwards in professional leagues. His scoring touch isn’t elite yet (11% SC%), but his timing and ability to find soft areas in coverage point to long-term offensive upside.
3) Physical Edge and Competitive Motor
Cihar competes. He finishes checks, he fights through traffic to draw penalties (0.24 drawn/game), and he holds his own in puck battles with a 49% win rate, which is outstanding for a player not yet physically mature playing against men. His 1.08 puck recoveries after shots/game means he reads developing plays at a pro level and gets to loose pucks with purpose.
4) Ceiling is Higher Than Stat Line Indicates
His current point totals (4G, 5A in 43GP) are underwhelming, but many of his metrics—ice time, scoring chances, puck battles, and usage—suggest he’s impacting games in ways that will eventually lead to production once his frame catches up to his skill level. There’s a long runway here, and he’s already shown he belongs at a level most peers haven’t approached.
Why Vojtech Cihar Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Lacks Playmaking Instincts and Execution
Cihar’s 78% pass completion is poor and his 0.49 pre-shot passes/game indicates he’s not creating dangerous looks for teammates. His ability to distribute off the rush, manipulate defenders with deception, or use pace to open lanes is lacking right now. While he processes the game reasonably well off-puck, his on-puck decisions often stall plays.
2) No Standout Offensive Skill Yet
He doesn’t have a particularly threatening shot (11% scoring chance%, 1.28 SOG/game), and he struggles with accuracy and getting pucks through (0.51 shots blocked/game). His shot deception needs developing, and his 0.42 missed shots/game — when he gets Grade “A” looks, he doesn’t always finish. He has tools, but nothing yet projects as a go-to offensive weapon.
3) Hands Lag Behind Other Tools
His limited passing touch, and inability to beat defenders 1v1 or create space off of contact show that his puck skill is not where it needs to be for a top-6 NHL projection. He can carry pucks straight lines and cycle effectively, but he lacks the lateral agility and deception to create off the wall or generate second options.
4) May Project as a Bottom-Six Only Option
Given his profile—high motor, physicality, net-front positioning, defensive awareness—it’s fair to wonder if his NHL upside is capped as a hardworking, fourth-line winger. Those players are valuable, but drafting one with limited offensive upside in the top half of the draft could be risky.
Projection & Fit
Player Type: North-South two-way winger with net-front instincts and pro-level competitiveness
NHL Projection: Bottom-six winger or energy-line player with penalty-kill upside
Development Track: Project—will need 1 year in CHL or 2 years in USHL, then time in NCAA before he moves on to the AHL.
Development Focus:
Improve puck skills and deception
Add strength and puck protection tools
Develop playmaking and puck management
Draft Recommendation: 5th–6th Round
Vojtech Cihar is a legitimate long-term project who plays the game the right way and has proven he can hold up physically and mentally in a professional league at a very young age. While he lacks high-end skill or vision today, he competes hard, reads the game well, and has strong foundational habits. AS he continues to develop his puck skills and decision-making, there’s potential for him to grow as a bottom-six NHL forward with a defined role. Cihar is a smart, safe, bottom-six profile who could overachieve, and he’s a worthy late-round bet for organizations that prioritize character, detail, and motor.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images