Karlovy Vary are proving to be one of the biggest surprises in the current playoff run. After a dominant sweep of Vítkovice in the preliminary round, they’ve continued their success in the quarterfinals, taking the first two games on the road against Liberec. At the heart of this unexpected surge is 17-year-vintage forward Petr Tomek, whose play is drawing comparisons to former Czech hockey star Jaromír Hudler.
Tomek first made his mark in Game 2 of the series against Liberec on Saturday. In the fifth minute, following a penalty drawn by teammate Jan Bambula, Tomek was awarded a penalty shot. According to reports, head coach Pavel Patera gave the young forward a knowing look, signaling his confidence in the moment.
Tomek didn’t disappoint. He skated in, deked, and fired a shot past Liberec goaltender Petr Kváča, opening the scoring. His celebration, which included gesturing towards the jeering Liberec crowd, further ignited the atmosphere. “I have this in my blood, but emotions need a limit,” Tomek said after the game, as reported by sport.cz.
Patera’s advice to Tomek – that boos from the opposing fans are a sign of respect – seemed to resonate. Shortly after the penalty shot, Liberec forward Jasper Weatherby attempted a hard hit on Tomek, a play that drew comparisons to a recent dangerous play by Radko Gudas in the NHL that sidelined Auston Matthews. Fortunately, Tomek avoided a serious knee-on-knee collision.
Weatherby received a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty for the hit. Karlovy Vary capitalized on the ensuing power play, extending their lead and ultimately securing a 2-0 series advantage. While the disciplinary committee did not issue any further punishment to Weatherby, the play sparked debate among hockey analysts.
Former Czech hockey player Radek Duda, speaking on the “Mistři světa” podcast, highlighted the significance of the situation. “This is a great school for him. Let him fight through it. It just shows his dominant position. He’s a complete bomb, I haven’t seen anything like this since Jirka Hudler,” Duda said. “Both are geniuses, both control the power play. And that opponents are going after a 17-year-old kid is unbelievable. Opponents want to injure a 17-year-old kid, that’s incredible advertising.”
Hudler, who began his Czech Extraliga career in the late 1990s, was already a point-per-game player at age 17 with Vsetín before moving to North America and enjoying a successful NHL career, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory. While Tomek hasn’t yet reached that level of offensive production, the comparison isn’t far-fetched.
Tomek burst onto the scene with five goals in his first six games. His early impact even surpassed that of Jaromír Jágr and Robert Reichl at a similar age, according to reports. “He reads the game excellently, can adapt to it, and is very coachable. He has a high hockey IQ, and I think he’s already among the most intelligent players in the league at his age,” said former coach Tomáš Andrys.
Andrys coached Tomek last season when they won the Czech junior league championship. Tomek quickly bypassed the junior ranks and earned a spot on the Karlovy Vary’s senior team. Despite being listed at 175 centimeters (approximately 5’9”) and 69 kilograms (approximately 152 pounds) at the start of the season, he’s proven he can compete against grown men.
Head coach Pavel Patera has given Tomek an average of just over 13 minutes of ice time per game, including a role on the power play. He finished the regular season with 13 goals and seven assists in 51 games, becoming the seventh-highest scorer on Energie Karlovy Vary. In the playoffs, Tomek currently has two goals and two assists, making him the second-leading scorer for his team.
“He stays grounded, but he’s similarly confident. Someone without a strong character wouldn’t be able to break through like this. Petr is very lively in the locker room, he’s fun, communicative, and has no problem fitting in anywhere,” Andrys added.
Tomek is expected to represent the Czech Republic at the upcoming Under-18 World Championship in Slovakia. However, the tournament schedule conflicts with the potential final series of the Czech Extraliga, meaning his participation could depend on how far Karlovy Vary advance.
The team’s success, fueled in part by Tomek’s emergence, has been a welcome surprise. Karlovy Vary’s ability to upset higher-seeded teams has injected excitement into the playoffs. The question now is whether they can continue their improbable run and compete for the Masaryk Cup.
The emergence of Petr Tomek is more than just a local story; it’s a testament to the depth of talent in Czech hockey. His poise, skill, and willingness to embrace the challenge have quickly made him a fan favorite and a player to watch for years to come. The series against Liberec continues, with Game 3 scheduled for Friday, and all eyes will be on Tomek to witness if he can continue to lead Karlovy Vary towards an unexpected championship.
Next Up: Karlovy Vary will continue their best-of-seven series against Liberec with Game 3 on Friday. Stay tuned to Archysport for updates and analysis.
