Timothy Kazda

Timothy Kazda — F | Chicago Steel (USHL) | SVK | Age: 18

Player Overview Timothy Kazda is an 18-year-old Slovak forward who has positioned himself as one of the more compelling European offensive prospects ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. His 4th-overall selection in the 2026 CHL Import Draft by the Guelph Storm signals significant organizational conviction in his upside at the next level of junior hockey.

Current Production Over his last 10 USHL games, Kazda has posted 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points at a +9, a pace that reflects both a genuine finishing ability and consistent involvement in his team's offense. The balance between goals and assists suggests a two-way offensive threat rather than a pure shooter or pure distributor.

Key Attributes Kazda's goal-per-game production in this stretch indicates a player who gets to scoring areas with purpose and converts at a high rate, pointing to strong positioning and shot execution in tight windows. His +9 rating over 10 games suggests he is not producing empty offensive numbers — he is on the ice for positive results at both ends. The Guelph Storm's willingness to use an early import pick on him indicates scouts see translatable skills beyond the USHL context.

2026 Draft Outlook Kazda projects as a mid-to-late first or early second-round candidate, with his CHL Import Draft pedigree likely elevating his visibility through the season. Sustaining this production against stronger OHL competition will be the defining variable for his final draft positioning.