Cihar ranked among the tournament’s top scorers, collecting 12 points in seven games with four goals and eight assists. He made a strong impression just weeks after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL, a day before flying overseas with the Czech team. The Kings selected him 59th overall in the most recent draft.
Galvas was also productive, tallying nine points (3 goals, 6 assists) in seven games - among defensemen, only Zayne Parekh from the bronze-winning Canadian team had more. The Liberec defenseman has now helped the Czech junior team secure a third consecutive medal at the World Juniors - after two bronzes, he has added a silver.
Jiricek has matched that medal collection, playing all seven games at the tournament, scoring five goals and adding one assist.
Only Canada’s captain, Porter Martone, scored more goals at the World Juniors. Jiricek, who also found the net in the final against Sweden (2:4), plays in the OHL but already has an entry-level contract with St. Louis, who picked him 16th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Jiricek also made headlines at the championship with his overtime winner against Finland in the group stage. After a pass from captain Petr Sikora, he found himself alone in front of goalie Petteri Rimpinen, slipped the stick between his legs, and finished with a move worthy of a skilled goal scorer to win the game.
Joining Cihar and Galvas in the All-Star selection are Swedish goalie Love Harenstam, Canadian defenseman Parekh, his countryman forward Michael Hage, and Swedish forward Anton Frondell. Members of the new world champion team, Härenstam and Frondell, were also named the best players at their respective positions alongside Jiříček.