Although as many as 22 Slovak ice hockey players took part in training camps across 15 NHL teams – suggesting a strong Slovak presence in the league – the reality is more modest.
Only six have made the final rosters as the 2025–26 NHL season begins: defencemen Erik Černák (Tampa Bay), Martin Fehérváry (Washington), Šimon Nemec (New Jersey), and forwards Juraj Slafkovský (Montreal), Samuel Honzek, and Martin Pospíšil (both Calgary).
However, Pospíšil will miss the start of the season due to an unspecified injury, meaning that only five Slovaks will actually take to the ice – two fewer than at the beginning of last season.
Twelve Slovaks in the AHL
Many Slovak fans had hoped that St. Louis Blues prospect Dalibor Dvorský would make the team. Drafted tenth overall in 2023, he spent most of last season with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. The Blues, however, decided to send him back for further development after the camp and pre-season games.
The decision was partly due to the team’s depth at forward, with several long-term contracts limiting opportunities. In four preseason appearances, Dvorský scored once and added an assist but did not make a strong enough case to stay.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong stressed that roster assignments can change quickly. “Just because a player isn’t on the Blues roster on October 9 doesn’t mean he won’t be a month later,” he said.
Dvorský will be joined in the AHL by 11 other Slovaks: Maroš Jedlička (Colorado Eagles), Adam Sýkora (Hartford Wolf Pack), Viliam Kmec and Jakub Demek (both Henderson Silver Knights), Filip Mešár (Laval Rocket), Martin Chromiak (Ontario Reign), Martin Mišiak (Rockford IceHogs), Pavol Regenda (San Jose Barracuda), and Juraj Pekarčík (Springfield Thunderbirds).
Chára honoured
This season will also see one of Slovakia’s greatest hockey players formally recognised. Former defenceman Zdeno Chára will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 10, in his first year of eligibility following his 2022 retirement.
He will become the fifth Slovak to enter the Hall, joining Marián Hossa (2020), Peter Šťastný (1998), Stan Mikita (1983), and sports journalist George Gross (1985).
Early next year, the Boston Bruins will retire Chára’s No. 33 jersey at TD Garden, making him the first European-born player in team history to receive the honour — and only the 13th player overall to have his number raised to the rafters.
