Czechmate!

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Kelowna acquired Cihar’s WHL playing rights from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in November 2025 in a blockbuster deal that also brought overage forward Shane Smith to the Rockets.

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Cihar made an immediate impact after joining Kelowna, scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 points in 31 regular-season games. He was even more productive in the playoffs, collecting six goals and seven assists in nine games.

A second-round selection (59th overall) of the Kings in the 2025 NHL Draft, Cihar also helped Czechia capture a silver medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship.

His return also gives the Rockets three European players for the first time in franchise history, joining fellow Czech forwards Tomas Poletin and Jakob Frolo.

There could be an even bigger international storyline developing. All three could be candidates to represent Czechia at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, scheduled for Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

For the Rockets, getting Cihar back is a welcome addition to an already talented forward group. And with three young Czech forwards now in the fold, there could be plenty of international attention on Kelowna this season.