As the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota, approaches, Team Slovakia is aiming to improve upon last year's performance, where they recorded two victories. However, they face a significant challenge with only six players returning from the previous year's roster. As of December 23, 2025, the final roster is yet to be determined, with two forwards and one defenseman still needing to be cut before the tournament begins on December 26.
Forwards
The forward group will miss the offensive contributions of St. Louis Blues prospects Dalibor Dvorsky and Juraj Pekarcik from last year. Instead, the team will rely on players with solid two-way capabilities. While there isn't a clear standout goal-scorer, several players have the potential to impress.
Tomáš Chrenko is one player who could improve his draft stock during the tournament. He has experience playing at the highest level in Slovakia and is expected to be a key offensive contributor alongside Adam Nemec, the younger brother of Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and his teammate with HK Nitra. Jan Chovan (Los Angeles Kings) and Tomáš Poběžal are returning players from last year's tournament. Poběžal will be looking to improve upon his performance from the previous year. Michal Svrček (Detroit Red Wings) is expected to play a key role on the power play, while Ondřej Maruna, captain Tobias Pitka, and Samuel Murin are expected to contribute as penalty killers and defensive players. Other forwards named to the preliminary roster include Jakub Dubravik, Alex Gaso, Michal Liščinský, Alex Mišiak, Andreas Straka, Tobias Tomik, Lukas Tomka and Alex Zálešák.
Several players from the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) were named to Slovakia's preliminary roster, including Jan Chovan (Sudbury Wolves), Alex Misiak (Erie Otters), and Tomas Pobezal (Kingston Frontenacs) from the OHL; Michal Capos (Wenatchee Wild) and Matus Lisy (Red Deer Rebels) and forward Tobias Tomik (Vancouver Giants) from the WHL; and d-man Filip Kovalcik (Drummondville) and forward Andreas Straka (Quebec Remparts) from the QMJHL.
Goaltenders
Slovakia will likely have three goaltenders, all of whom play in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Michal Prádel, a Detroit Red Wings 2025 third-round pick playing for the Tri-City Americans, is expected to be the starter. Adam Lendák, who played in two games at last year’s tournament, is likely to be the backup, with Leonardo Henriquez also in contention.
Slovakia has reached the quarterfinals in the past three World Junior Championships and has won two bronze medals in its history, in 1999 and 2015. This year, they are in Group A with Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. The team hopes to break a decade-long drought and secure their first World Junior quarter-final win in ten years to contend for a medal.
