Unexpected roster decision sends Avalanche star overseas
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas has been selected to Czechia's preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Games, according to an announcement from the Czech Ice Hockey Association on Monday.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Unexpected roster decision sends Avs forward overseas.
Necas, acquired by the Avalanche from the Carolina Hurricnaes on January 24, 2025, tallied 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 30 regular-season games with Colorado, and chipped in five points (1 goal, 4 assists) across seven playoff appearances.
Across 79 total games split between Carolina and Colorado, he set career highs in both points (83) and assists (56), while his 27 goals came just one short of matching his personal bests from the 2022-23 season.
"The Nove Mesto na Morave, Czechia, native represented his country at the World Championship each of the last two seasons and captured gold in 2024. The first-place finish marked the country's first gold medal at the World Championship since 2010. Necas also represented his country at the World Championship in 2018 and holds a career scoring line of 7g/12a in 19 such contests. At the under-20 circuit, Necas competed for Czechia at the World Junior Championship on three occasions (2017-19) and registered 18 points (5g/13a) in 17 contests across those showcases. At the 2018 event, the forward led all skaters in assists (8) and points (11). Necas also suited up for Czechia at the IIHF U-18 World Championship in 2017." -NHL.com
The 6-foot-3, 195lbs winger has amassed 326 points (124 goals, 202 assists) across 441 career NHL regular-season games, split between the Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 23 ANSWERS Unexpected roster decision sends Avalanche star overseas Does Czechia have a chance to win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics? | ||
| yes | 6 | 26.1 % |
| no | 17 | 73.9 % |
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