Author’s Note: Czechia’s final preliminary-round game against Finland was not televised, so the evaluation of Jonas Vanicek and Lukas Kachlir in that game is limited to the scoresheet and information available after the game.
The preliminary round of the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup has come to an end, and the three Edmonton Oil Kings participating in the tournament have found themselves on two very different paths heading into Friday.
Kayden Stroeder and Team Canada finished the round robin with a perfect record after victories over Switzerland, Slovakia, and Sweden, earning a place in the Semi-Finals against Finland. Meanwhile, Lukas Kachlir, Jonas Vanicek, and Czechia will miss out on the medal round for the second consecutive year after finishing with one win and two losses. They’ll face Switzerland in the fifth-place game.
This is an Edmonton Oil Kings-focused review, though, so the final standings are only part of the story.
Stroeder entered the tournament as one of the most important returning players on Edmonton’s roster, looking to prove that he’s ready to take another step after a strong rookie season in the WHL. Kachlir and Vanicek entered as two largely unknown imports who Oil Kings fans had only been able to evaluate through European statistics, scouting reports, and brief international appearances. Three preliminary games later, all three have given Edmonton something to think about.
Stroeder has continued producing despite remaining on Canada’s third line. Kachlir has looked like one of the most dangerous offensive defenders in the tournament. Vanicek has moved throughout Czechia’s lineup, scoring once while showing flashes of the player he could eventually become in Edmonton.
So, what happened through the preliminary round, and what can Oil Kings fans take away from what we’ve seen?
Stroeder Produces Without the Promotion
When Canada released its lineup for the opening game against Switzerland, Kayden Stroeder found himself centering the third line between Benjamin Veitch and Jaakko Wycisk. That line remained completely untouched through all three preliminary games.
On a roster loaded with offensive talent such as Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, Alexis Joseph, Ryerson Edgar, and Landon DuPont, Stroeder was never going to be guaranteed a spot on the top line or first power-play unit. His opportunity was going to come from adapting to the role Canada gave him and finding ways to contribute without being the player everything ran through. It didn’t take him long.
Stroeder recorded his first point of the tournament in Canada’s 7-3 victory over Switzerland, assisting on a second-period goal from Veitch. Wycisk started the play by sending the puck to Stroeder, who quickly moved it across to Veitch for the finish. It was a neat tic-tac-toe play from all three members of Canada’s third line, and an early look at the chemistry they would develop throughout the round robin. Stroeder didn’t appear to receive any power-play or penalty-killing time in the opening game, but he still managed to produce at even strength. It was a strong enough start, but his performance against Slovakia the following night is where his tournament really began to take off.
Early in the game, Stroeder drove hard toward the Slovak net and forced a defender to take him down, drawing Canada’s first power play. He wasn’t used on that first unit, but it showed the type of game he was bringing. Stroeder was attacking the difficult areas of the ice, using his size to create problems for defenders, and forcing Slovakia to choose between allowing him to reach the net or taking a penalty to stop him.
Later in the second period, Stroeder finally received an opportunity on Canada’s second power-play unit. Brock Cripps carried the puck from behind the Canadian net and through the middle of the ice before moving it to Ryerson Edgar on the right wing. Edgar attempted to return the pass to Cripps as they entered the zone, but Cripps didn’t appear to realize the puck was coming. The pass went behind his feet and landed directly on the stick of Stroeder entering from the left side. Stroeder didn’t waste the opportunity. He caught the puck and quickly fired it past the Slovak goaltender to give Canada a 3-1 lead, scoring his first goal of the tournament.
The TSN commentators had some fun comparing the play to the famous puck-through-the-feet moment between Joe Sakic and Mario Lemieux at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. This version didn’t appear to be quite as intentional, but Stroeder still needed to recognize the loose puck, be prepared to receive it, and finish the opportunity before Slovakia could recover.
His second goal of the game required considerably more work. Early in the third period, Wycisk sent the puck back to DuPont as the two switched places in the offensive zone. DuPont carried the puck below the goal line while Stroeder battled for position in front of the Slovak net. Stroeder had to work to earn that space. The Slovak defender stayed attached to him until DuPont became a threat with the puck. Once the defender left Stroeder to chase DuPont behind the net, Stroeder found himself open in front. DuPont quickly found him, and Stroeder fired the one-timer home to make it 5-1.
The goal itself looked simple, but the work before the puck arrived wasn’t. Stroeder fought through the coverage, occupied the defender, and waited for the play to develop. When Slovakia finally broke its coverage to challenge the puck carrier, he was ready in the exact spot he needed to be. That gave Stroeder two goals against Slovakia, but his best performance of the preliminary round was still to come.
Canada entered its final game against Sweden with the same four forward lines it had used through the first two games. Stroeder remained the third-line centre, but once again proved that his position on the lineup card didn’t prevent him from influencing the game.
He started his night with an assist on Canada’s second goal. Cripps sent a long breakout pass to Veitch moving down the left wing. Veitch entered the Swedish zone with possession but was forced to double back along the boards, where he won a battle against the defending player and sent the puck into the corner for Stroeder. Veitch immediately cut toward the net, and Stroeder recognized the movement and returned the puck to him without hesitation, allowing Veitch to fire it into the net and give Canada the 2-0 lead.
Just over seven minutes later, Stroeder added another assist, this time while receiving more time on Canada’s second power-play unit. Cripps moved the puck through the neutral zone and found Wycisk entering down the left wing. Wycisk passed to Stroeder along the left-side boards, and Stroeder quickly sent the puck across the ice to Edgar waiting in the right faceoff circle. Edgar fired the puck into the top corner to give Canada a 4-0 lead.
It was another example of Stroeder keeping the play moving. He didn’t hold the puck while looking for his own opportunity or allow the Swedish penalty kill time to reset. He caught the pass, recognized Edgar across the zone, and immediately placed the puck in a position for his teammate to score.
Only 20 seconds later, Stroeder found the net himself. After Wycisk won the race and ensuing puck battle following a Canadian dump-in behind the Swedish goal, he slid the puck into the slot for Stroeder, whose first shot was stopped. Instead of allowing the opportunity to end there, Stroeder recovered his own rebound, took a stride to create some room, and spun with his back initially facing the net. He whipped the puck around the outstretched foot of the Swedish goaltender and into the net to make it 5-0 Canada, still in the first period.
Sweden attempted to mount a comeback through the final two periods, but the damage had already been done. Stroeder finished the game with one goal and two assists, giving him a three-point first period and six points through three preliminary games. Most importantly, he accomplished all of this without Canada changing his position in the lineup.
Stroeder wasn’t promoted to play with Schultz or Pue. He didn’t receive a permanent role on the first power-play unit. He hasn’t been asked to kill penalties or serve as a defensive specialist. He’s simply taken the role Canada gave him and produced within it.
Three goals, three assists, and six points through three games is impressive under any circumstances. Doing it as a third-line centre, with most of his production coming at even strength or on the second power-play unit, makes it even more encouraging for the Oil Kings.
Kachlir Takes Control of the Czech Blueline
While Stroeder has been producing from deeper in Canada’s lineup, Lukas Kachlir has been given every opportunity to play a major role for Czechia. Kachlir opened the tournament on Czechia’s top defensive pairing and received time on the first power-play unit against the United States. It was exactly the type of deployment Oil Kings fans were hoping to see from a player who entered the tournament with prior Hlinka Gretzky Cup experience, two appearances at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and games played against professional competition in Czechia. He didn’t waste any time showing what he could do with the opportunity.
Late in the first period against the United States, Kachlir scored on the power play to cut the American lead to 2-1. Czechia eventually fell behind by four goals, but midway through the third period Kachlir added another at even strength to begin a late push. Czechia ultimately lost 6-4, but Kachlir finished with two goals and immediately established himself as one of the most important players in its lineup.
His second game may have been even more impressive. Kachlir remained on the first defensive pairing against Germany and added three assists in Czechia’s 8-3 victory. The points weren’t simply three versions of a shot from the blueline finding its way through traffic. Each assist displayed a different part of his offensive game.
The first came on Vanicek’s goal late in the opening period. Germany dumped the puck into the Czech zone while Maxmilian Mares was changing and Vanicek was coming over the boards. Kachlir intercepted the puck and immediately recognized the opportunity developing in front of him.
He sent a quick outlet pass to Vanicek at centre ice. Vanicek moved the puck to Michal Hartl during the zone entry and continued toward the net. Hartl returned the puck to him, and Vanicek finished the play for his first goal of the tournament. Kachlir started the entire sequence by turning a harmless German dump-in into an immediate Czech scoring rush before Germany had time to complete its change or establish its defensive structure.
His second assist came only 34 seconds into the second period. Kachlir took possession at the point and skated a full circle through the German zone, maintaining control while waiting for something to open. Rather than forcing a shot into traffic or giving the puck away, he continued carrying it until Germany’s defensive coverage began to move.
He returned the puck to Mares at the point, Mares fired a long one-timer, and Hartl tipped the puck in front to give Czechia a 4-0 lead. The play showed a lot of patience and confidence. Kachlir didn’t treat the puck like something that needed to be moved immediately simply because he was under pressure. He trusted his skating, carried it through the offensive zone, and waited until the movement created a better opportunity.
His third assist came on Czechia’s sixth goal. After a long defensive shift, Czechia finally escaped its own zone and Polasek carried the puck into German territory. He dropped it back to Mares, who moved it across to Kachlir. Kachlir quickly spotted Oliver Vanha streaking down the left wing behind a German team caught flat-footed in transition. He put the puck directly onto Vanha’s stick, allowing him to go in and finish the play. There wasn’t any hesitation. Kachlir saw the opening and delivered the puck before Germany had any opportunity to close it.
Through two games, he had two goals and three assists. Only one of those five points had come on the power play. The rest were created at even strength through a variety of skills: shooting, puck carrying, breakouts, transition passing, and offensive-zone vision.
Kachlir and Vanicek didn’t begin Czechia’s first power play against Germany, but both started the second opportunity, suggesting that Czechia may have been rotating units or using whichever group was fresh. Kachlir also appeared to have at least some role on the penalty kill. He didn’t start one of the kills, but was the first Czech defender over the boards when the original pairing changed.
Unfortunately, Czechia’s final preliminary game against Finland wasn’t televised, leaving little opportunity to evaluate whether that deployment continued. Both Kachlir and Vanicek were held off the scoresheet in the 5-4 loss. Without the ability to watch the game or review the line combinations, I don’t think there’s much value in trying to draw conclusions from one quiet box score.
Kachlir still finished the preliminary round with two goals and three assists in three games. More importantly, he looked capable of doing the exact things the Oil Kings may need from him next season.
Edmonton can keep Noa Ta’amu and Josh Lee together as an established defensive pair, but neither player has consistently shown the power-play quarterback ability that Kachlir displayed for Czechia. Kachlir’s willingness to hold the puck, move throughout the offensive zone, and create passing lanes gives him an element that’s otherwise difficult to find on the projected Oil Kings blueline.
Before this tournament, Kachlir looked like one of several young defenders competing for a roster position. After the preliminary round, he looks more like a player who could arrive in Edmonton and immediately challenge for top-four minutes and a spot on the first power-play unit.
Vanicek Searches for His Role
Jonas Vanicek’s preliminary round was quieter than the tournaments put together by Stroeder and Kachlir, but it still gave Edmonton some useful information about where he may fit.
Vanicek opened the tournament as Czechia’s first-line centre against the United States. He also appeared on the first power-play unit alongside Kachlir, giving him a major offensive role in his first game. He was held without a point in the 6-4 loss.
For Czechia’s second game against Germany, Vanicek was moved down to the third-line centre position while Mares moved into the middle of the top line. Several Czech combinations were changed for the game, so I don’t think it would be fair to automatically describe the move as a punishment or a loss of trust. It may simply have been an attempt to spread Czechia’s offence throughout the lineup.
Whatever the reason for the change, Vanicek responded by scoring his first goal of the tournament. It was a simple but intelligent scoring play. Vanicek made himself available during the breakout, moved the puck to his winger, and continued toward the dangerous area rather than watching the play from the outside. His movement created the return option, and he was ready to finish when Hartl sent it back.
Vanicek remained part of Czechia’s power-play rotation against Germany but didn’t appear to receive any penalty-killing time. That seems to give us a fairly clear indication of how the Czech coaching staff viewed his role during the preliminary round. He was there to create offence.
Czechia didn’t appear to view him as a defensive matchup centre or someone who needed to be used in every situation. He received top-line and power-play opportunities in the opener, was moved into a middle-six position in Game 2, and was asked to generate scoring from there.
The final game against Finland provided no additional points and, without a broadcast, no meaningful information about whether his role changed again.
Vanicek finishes the preliminary round with one goal in three games. That isn’t the offensive explosion Oil Kings fans may have imagined after seeing his production in Czech U17 and U20 hockey, but it’s also not a reason for concern. This was his first tournament since signing with Edmonton, playing against the best players from his age group in an environment where his role changed after one game. What it may do is adjust the expectations for where he starts in the WHL.
Vanicek has the skill and offensive history to eventually move into Edmonton’s top six. His first-line deployment against the United States shows that Czechia believes he has that potential. His overall performance, though, suggests that the Oil Kings may be better served beginning him in the middle six and allowing him to earn his way upward.
The WHL will bring a smaller ice surface, a more physical game, long travel, and an adjustment to a new country and language. There’s no need to place the responsibility of carrying a top line on him immediately. Give him capable linemates, some secondary power-play time, and enough opportunity to show that he can create offence consistently. If he proves ready for more, Edmonton has plenty of room for him to move.
Final Verdict
The preliminary round gave us three Oil Kings prospects with three very different tournaments.
Kayden Stroeder was given the same third-line centre position in all three games and did everything possible to make that role matter. He recorded six points, contributed at even strength, earned time on the second power-play unit, and showed an ability to both create for his linemates and finish his own opportunities. He entered the tournament needing to prove that he could take another step offensively without necessarily being handed the largest role on Team Canada. I think it’s fair to say he’s done that.
Lukas Kachlir entered as the more uncertain of Edmonton’s two Czech prospects, but may leave the tournament having changed expectations more than anyone. He played on Czechia’s top pairing, contributed to the power play, saw some penalty-killing time, and produced five points through three games. His offence wasn’t built entirely through point shots or secondary assists. He created through transition, patience, puck control, and vision. He now looks less like a player competing for the bottom of Edmonton’s defensive lineup and more like someone who could force the Oil Kings to build their power play and defensive pairings with him in mind.
Jonas Vanicek had the quietest round robin. He moved from the first line to the third line, scored once, and didn’t establish the same immediate impact as Stroeder or Kachlir. His goal against Germany still showed encouraging habits, and Czechia continued using him at centre and on the power play. His tournament doesn’t lower his long-term potential. It simply suggests that his WHL opportunity may need to be earned gradually rather than handed to him on the first day of training camp. There’s nothing wrong with that.
International tournaments provide a small sample against elite competition. They can show us what a player may be capable of, but they don’t write the full story of what that player will become over an entire WHL season.
One Tournament, Two Different Roads
Czechia will now face Switzerland in Friday’s fifth-place game, looking to match its finish from last year and end the tournament with a victory. Canada will face Finland in the Semi-Finals, with the winner advancing to the Gold Medal Game and the loser playing for Bronze. There’s also a slightly ironic Oil Kings connection waiting in that matchup.
Finland ended the gold-medal hopes of Kachlir and Vanicek with its 5-4 victory over Czechia. Now Stroeder has the opportunity to either earn some international retribution for his future teammates or suffer the same fate.
Finland is also the home country of Edmonton’s third import, Olli Wahlroos. Wahlroos was born in 2008 and wasn’t eligible for this year’s tournament, but represented Finland at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Wahlroos was in Finland’s lineup when Canada defeated them 3-0 in last year’s Bronze Medal Game, making Friday’s Semi-Final a rematch of the game that ended his own Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Had he been one year younger, Edmonton could have had all three imports crossing paths before ever sharing an Oil Kings dressing room.
Instead, Kachlir and Vanicek will attempt to finish their tournament with a win over Switzerland, while Stroeder carries Edmonton’s remaining medal hopes into the Semi-Finals. Whatever happens from here, the preliminary round has already given Oil Kings fans plenty to be excited about: one returning player appears ready to take a major step, one incoming defender may be ready for a larger role than anyone expected, and one incoming forward has shown enough to be intriguing but still has some work to do.
The next stage begins Friday.
