Mammoth bolster defense with Czech prospect
The Utah Mammoth announced today that they have secured the rights to Max Pšenička, a 19‑year‑old defenseman from Prague, Czechia, with a three‑year, entry‑level contract. The agreement marks the team’s latest effort to reinforce its blue line ahead of the upcoming season.
Pšenička spent the 2025‑26 campaign with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, appearing in 53 games and contributing eight goals and 22 assists. His 30 points placed him second among Winterhawks defensemen in assists and tied for second in overall points, underscoring his growing offensive role.
The Czech prospect also made his professional debut in the American Hockey League, logging an assist in a game for the Tucson Roadrunners. Across 77 regular‑season WHL appearances over the past two seasons, he has accumulated 30 points, a statistic that caught the attention of the Mammoth’s scouting department.
On the international stage, Pšenička was a key member of the Czech team that captured a silver medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The tournament appearance adds a competitive pedigree to his résumé and highlights his potential on a larger stage.
Selected by the Mammoth in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Pšenička is viewed as a long‑term project with high upside. Coaches say his blend of size, skating and puck‑moving ability could translate well to the pro game, and they expect him to develop alongside the team’s veteran defensemen.
The organization is optimistic that the new contract will pay dividends both on and off the ice, as the young Czech brings a fresh perspective and a hunger to prove himself at the highest level of North American hockey.