Twenty-year-old Czech defenseman Tomáš Galvas is pushing to earn a spot on his nation’s roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, according to multiple Czech sports outlets. After helping Bílí Tygři Liberec reach the playoffs during the 2025-2026 season, Galvas now finds himself competing for a national team position during the Czech Republic’s training camp in Karlovy Vary.
Galvas, who stands 177 cm tall and weighs 70 kg, has been training with the national squad ahead of the tournament. His club season concluded earlier than expected when Liberec was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Extraliga playoffs.
“I will give everything I have to make it as far as possible,” Galvas said in a recent interview. “When I leave everything on the ice, I believe I have a chance.” The young defenseman emphasized his commitment to maximizing his effort during the selection process.
National team head coach Radim Rulík has expressed confidence in Galvas’s potential, noting after the first training session that the player from Zlín “definitely has a good chance” to make the World Championship roster. Rulík cited Galvas’s strong skating ability and hockey intelligence as key assets.
The player acknowledged areas for improvement, stating: “I know I still have many shortcomings, but I’ve worked on some aspects and continue to develop.” Galvas, the son of former Extraliga defenseman Lukáš Galvas, is working to refine his game against larger opponents at the elite level.
His performance at the recent World Junior Championships helped elevate his profile, leading to a new contract with Liberec that extends through the 2027-2028 season. During the regular season, Galvas recorded 24 points in 32 games for Bílí Tygři Liberec.
Galvas participated in two preparation games against Germany in mid-April 2026, contributing to the Czech Republic’s 4-1 victory on April 17 and 5-3 win on April 16. These exhibition matches are part of the team’s buildup to the World Championship.
As the Czech team finalizes its roster for the Switzerland tournament, Galvas remains focused on proving his readiness through consistent effort and performance in training and exhibition games.
