Vojtech Cihar/Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club

By Vernon Matters Staff

Impression made

Kelowna Rockets trio return home with World Junior medals

Jan 6, 2026 | 11:05 AM

Three Kelowna Rockets skaters made their mark on the international stage at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, returning home with medals and standout performances.

Forwards Vojtech Cihar and Tomas Poletin represented Czechia, capturing silver after a hard-fought 4-2 loss to Sweden in the gold medal game. Cihar finished the tournament with 12 points, including four goals and eight assists, earning tournament MVP honours and a spot on the media-selected World Junior All-Star Team. Poletin added six points and scored the game-winning goal in the semifinal against Canada to send Czechia to the championship match.

“Both Vojtech and Tomas showed what they can do on hockey’s biggest junior stage,” said a Rockets spokesperson. “Their skill, leadership, and determination were a credit to Kelowna and Czechia.”

Meanwhile, forward Tij Iginla played a key role for Team Canada, helping secure bronze with a 6-3 win over Finland. Iginla finished the tournament with eight points, providing timely scoring and energy in crucial moments for the national squad.

Cihar, Poletin, and Iginla are expected back in Kelowna in the coming days and could potentially join the Rockets as early as Wednesday, when the team hosts the Tri-City Americans at Prospera Place.

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The Kelowna Rockets congratulate all three players on their impressive performances and their contributions to their national teams at the 2026 World Junior Championship.