2022 draft · round 1 #6 overall · Columbus Blue Jackets
Defender · born 2003
David Jiříček
- Current club
- Philadelphia Flyers · NHL
Best defender at the 2023 U20 World Juniors
// Our players
They came
They came
through our hands.
From their first sessions in Holoubkov and Pilsen to NHL jerseys, the Swedish SHL or the Finnish Liiga. These players trained with LZ Hockey on a path they mostly walked themselves — with honest work, years on the ice and the courage to try it abroad.
0 Stanley Cup
0 drafted to the NHL
0+ players in pro leagues
// The peak
Pavel Francouz
Goalie · Colorado Avalanche · born 1990
A goaltender from Pilsen who stepped in for the injured Darcy Kuemper in the 2022 playoffs and carried the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup — six wins without a loss in six starts. He retired in 2024 for health reasons and now scouts goaltenders for the Avalanche.
- Stanley Cup 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche
- 6 playoff games, 6-0-0 record
- 4th place at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang
// Draft
Drafted to the NHL
Seven players who have gone through the NHL draft — from a first-round pick right at the top, through later rounds, up to the most recent 2026 draft.
2024 draft · round 1 #16 overall · St. Louis Blues
Defender · born 2006
Adam Jiříček
- Current club
- St. Louis Blues organisation · AHL/NHL
59 points in 55 games for OHL Brantford (2025/26)
2022 draft · round 5 #153 overall · Minnesota Wild
Defender · born 2003
David Špaček
- Current club
- Minnesota Wild organisation · NHL/AHL
Gold at the 2024 World Championship in Prague — assist on the winning goal in the final
2020 draft · round 2 #48 overall · Montreal Canadiens
Forward · born 2002
Jan Myšák
- Current club
- HV71 · SHL (Sweden)
National team captain and All-Star team at the 2022 U20 World Juniors
2026 draft · round 3 #79 overall · Detroit Red Wings
Goalie · born 2007
Michal Oršulák
- Current club
- Prince Albert Raiders · WHL (Canada)
Silver at the 2026 U20 World Championship
2025 draft · round 6 #177 overall · Montreal Canadiens
Defender · born 2007
Carlos Händel
- Current club
- Kölner Haie · DEL (Germany)
Captain of the German national U18 team
2022 draft · round 6 #171 overall · Carolina Hurricanes
Goalie · born 2004
Jakub Vondráš
- Current club
- most recently HC Dynamo Pardubice B · Czech 2nd league
Played in the bronze-medal game at the 2024 U20 World Juniors
// Without a draft
NHL without a draft
The NHL isn't only reachable through the draft — Dominik got there as an undrafted free agent.
Undrafted UFA free agent · Chicago Blackhawks
Forward · born 1995
Dominik Kahun
- Current club
- EHC Red Bull München · DEL (Germany)
Born in Pilsen, but represents Germany — and made it to the NHL without being drafted. In 2018 he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent and played eight seasons in North America (Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and others). In 2026, after years in the NHL, he returned to Munich.
// Professionals
Training with us
Players who still train with LZ Hockey between seasons today, or who crossed our path on their way to a professional career.
Petr Kodýtek
HC Ambrì-Piotta · National League (Switzerland) Czech national team, called up for the 2026 World ChampionshipLukáš Kaňák
KalPa Kuopio · Liiga (Finland) Finnish Liiga champion 2024/25 (KalPa)Matyáš Kantner
Kärpät Oulu · Liiga (Finland)Jan Stránský
HC Dynamo Pardubice B · Maxa liga (Czech 2nd league) Czech Extraliga champion 2015/16 and runner-up 2016/17 (Bílí Tygři Liberec)Jakub Pour
Motor České Budějovice · Tipsport Extraliga (Czechia)Josef Myšák
HC Energie Karlovy Vary · Tipsport Extraliga (Czechia)Ondřej Rohlík
HC Škoda Plzeň · Tipsport Extraliga (Czechia) 20+
And more than 20 other players play professional hockey in leagues across Europe and North America. Every one of them was built on the same methodology — phased skill development you can read about on our coaching team page.
// Your path starts here
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