Czech left winger Vojtěch Chahi, who celebrated his 18th birthday in March, was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round, 59th overall, of this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Chahi, with his sights set firmly on an NHL career, is currently weighing his options on where to play to best realize his dream. So far, he has participated in 57 regular-season games and playoff appearances with Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga, posting 10 points in limited roles. He faces a decision: remain in the Czech league to earn more pro ice time or move abroad to the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, who picked him in last year’s CHL Import Draft.
Chahi was a part of the Czech team that won bronze at last year’s IIHF World Junior Championship and recently took part in the national junior team’s summer training camp. He shared his thoughts extensively with Czech media about the draft experience and his future plans.
From an interview with Martin Voltr on hokej.cz, Chahi described the draft as unpredictable and said waiting for his name to be called was nerve-wracking but thrilling, especially being accompanied by his family and girlfriend. When selected by the host team, he felt special recognition and was warmly welcomed by the organization and city. He treated the Los Angeles visit like a major holiday, enjoying iconic local sights while appreciating the city’s ideal weather.
Regarding his NHL future, Chahi admits it’s hard to predict when he’ll make it there but expressed eagerness to advance as soon as possible. He noted that while the Kings haven’t seen much of him yet, their focus is on helping him adapt and develop. He has been discussing with Karlovy Vary management about his best fit, understanding that playing juniors in Canada could offer more ice time and offensive development opportunities compared to the demanding Czech Extraliga, where younger players have limited minutes.
Though reluctant to leave the Czech Republic so soon, he recognizes the potential benefits for his growth and is both sad and excited about possibly moving abroad to pursue his hockey career.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for hockey fans as it highlights a promising young talent navigating crucial early career decisions that could shape his path to the NHL. Chahi’s potential move either within Europe or North America reflects the global nature of hockey development and the increasing competition for young players’ futures, signaling a dynamic future for the sport.
