2026 World Junior Championship: Team Slovakia Final Roster

It is likely a developmental year for Slovakia at the 2026 World Juniors, with one of the youngest rosters at the event. With the big-name graduations of Dalibor Dvorský, Juraj Pekarčík, and Maxim Štrbák, Slovakia will lean on their strong 2007-born group as they look to push for a medal. Though they may not have the most NHL-drafted talent, the Slovaks will not roll over easily in Minnesota.

Goaltenders

Roberto Leonardo Henriquez, Alan Lendák, and Michal Prádel

Roberto Leonardo Henriquez is currently playing for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. Through 13 games played, Henriquez has played to an 8-2-1 record, 0.928 save percentage (SV%), and a 1.90 goals against average (GAA). With a strong start to the season, the eighteen-year-old will give Slovakia a reliable option behind Michal Prádel.

Alan Lendák was recently traded to the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers after starting the season with the Fargo Force. Through 11 games with his old club, Lendák posted a 5-6-0 record, a 0.915SV%, and a 2.45GAA. It will be Lendák’s second World Juniors, after serving as the team’s backup in 2025.

Michal Prádel returned to the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in 2025, after being selected 4th overall by the Regina Pats at the 2025 CHL Import Draft. This decision has paid off for Prádel so far, as he sports a 9-9-3 record, with a 0.916SV%, and a 2.46GAA. It will likely be Prádel’s crease to lose, as the consistent starter for the Slovakian 2007s internationally. His good frame at 6’5” and smooth mobility earned Prádel a third round selection (75th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Defencemen

Adam Beluško, Michal Čapoš, Andrej Fabuš, Adam Goljer, Adam Kalman, Filip Kovalčik, Matúš Lisý, and Luka Radivojevic

Adam Beluško is currently playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. He’s tallied 8 points (1G/7A) in 27 games played. Beluško will be a leader for the Slovakians, being selected as an assistant captain at the 2026 World Juniors.

Michal Čapoš is in the midst of his WHL rookie season with the Wenatchee Wild. Through his first 28 games played, Čapoš has tallied 8 points (1G/7A) and a +4 rating. Standing at 6’5”, he will bring physicality and defensive reliability to the Slovakian blue line. 

Andrej Fabuš is playing his second season in Slovakia’s top professional league for HC Slovan Bratislava. Through 26 games, Fabuš has racked up 6 points (2G/4A) while playing against grown men. 

Adam Goljer is the youngest member of the Slovakian defence corps, at just 17 years old. Despite his age, Goljer has already made the leap to professional hockey with HK Dukla Trencin in Slovakia. On the season, he has notched 9 points (3G/6A) through 26 games played. Goljer is currently projected to be a top 60 selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Adam Kalman has split his time this season between U20s and both divisions of Slovakian professional hockey. In 31 games, Kalman has tallied 9 points (2G/7A) across all levels.

Filip Kovalčik is the youngest member of the Slovakian squad, being born on New Year’s Eve 2008. He made the transition to North America this season, joining the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, recording 10 points (1G/9A) in 29 games played. Kovalčik will be eligible for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.

Matúš Lisý is currently playing for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. He’s tallied 6 points (2G/4A) in 28 games played.

Luka Radivojevic has made the jump to the NCAA this season, joining the Boston College Eagles. He’s scored 9 points, all assists, through 16 games. Although he ultimately went undrafted in 2025, Radivojevic was viewed as one of the biggest draft snubs. He will be the lone returnee from last year’s World Juniors blue line and will serve as an alternate captain in Minnesota.

Forwards

Ján Chovan, Tomáš Chrenko, Jakub Dubravik, Alex Gaso, Michal Liščinský, Alex Mišiak, Samuel Murin, Adam Nemec, Tobias Pitka, Tomáš Pobĕžal, Andreas Straka, Michal Svrček, Tobias Tomik, and Lukas Tomka

Ján Chovan is one of two NHL-drafted skaters for Slovakia, having his name called by the Los Angeles Kings in the 6th round (184th overall) of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Chovan made the transition to North America this season, joining the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, where he has tallied 18 points (7G/11A) in 29 games played. He will be relied upon as one of Slovakia’s 3 returning forwards.

Tomáš Chrenko dominated the Slovak U20s, with 10 points (3G/7A) in 4 games, before being called up to the top division of pro hockey with HK Nitra for the second consecutive season. He has broken out this season, nearly doubling his totals from last season with 17 points (5G/12A) in 27 games played. Chrenko is one of Slovakia’s top 2026 NHL Entry Draft prospects, currently projecting to be a late-first to early-second round candidate. 

Jakub Dubravik will be joining the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers following the World Juniors, after splitting the start of the season between U20s and the top division for Vlci Zilina. He scored 8 points (5G/3A) in 26 games played with the big club.

Alex Gaso was recently called up to Mountfield HK in Czechia’s top division after spending the start of the season with their U20 club. Through 26 games in junior, Gaso racked up 31 points (7G/24A) before scoring a goal and an assist in 3 games of top division action.

Michal Liščinský started the season in the NAHL before returning to his home country and joining HC Kosice in Slovakia’s top division. He racked up 2 assists through his first 17 games played.

Alex Mišiak is the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks prospect and former Slovakian World Junior representative Martin Mišiak. This season, he followed his brother’s footsteps by joining the OHL’s Erie Otters, scoring 17 points (5G/12A) in 31 games played. 

Samuel Murin joined his countryman, Michal Prádel, on the USHL’s Tri-City Storm. He’s recorded 5 points (4G/1A) in 28 games played with the club.

Adam Nemec is currently a teammate of Tomáš Chrenko on HK Nitra. He’s tallied 15 points (3G/12A) in 28 games played. The younger brother of the 2022 2nd overall pick, Simon Nemec, will look to hear his name called in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, currently projecting to be a late-first to early-second round pick.

Tobias Pitka made the leap to the NCAA this season, joining the Northern Michigan Wildcats. The freshman has scored 6 points (3G/3A) in 14 games played. The big two-way centerman will be a leader for the Slovaks, earning a selection as their captain for the 2026 World Juniors.

Tomáš Pobĕžal currently plays for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. In 33 games with the club, Pobĕžal has tallied 18 points (7G/11A), good for 6th in team scoring. Like Radivojevic, Pobĕžal is regarded as one of the top prospects to be passed on in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. As one of three returning forwards, he will be relied upon to lead the offence.

Andreas Straka is currently in his second season with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. He’s scored 17 points (6G/11A) in 25 games played.

Michal Svrček was the second Slovakian to hear his name called by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, being selected in the fourth round (119th overall). He has split the 2025-2026 season across all levels in Sweden, after racking up 14 points (6G/8A) in 9 games at the U20 level. Through 18 combined games in the SHL and Allsvenskan, Svrček is still in search of his first point. 

Tobias Tomik is returning for his second World Juniors after being the youngest player on the 2025 roster. He is in his rookie season for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, where he’s tallied 16 points (8G/8A) in 33 games played. Tomik is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Lukas Tomka is currently playing for HK Detva in the Slovakian second division. He registered one assist across two contests.

Final Thoughts on Country Roster

Despite their lack of experience, with only 6 returnees and an equal number of 19-year-olds, Slovakia appears to be a sleeper team at the 2026 World Juniors. They should be hard to score on with an NHL-drafted starter in Michal Prádel and reliable backups. In front of Prádel will be a hungry group of 2026 NHL Draft eligibles looking to assert themselves as top talents. Slovakia will have the added advantage of playing with relatively low pressure. With the majority of players eligible in 2027, they will have the opportunity to play spoiler this year, while gaining valuable experience and chemistry for a deeper run in Edmonton and Red Deer next winter.