SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers signed defenseman Mikulas Hovorka to a one-year, two-way contract Wednesday, keeping the 6-foot-6, 229-pound Czech blueliner in the organization after he made his NHL debut last season.
General Manager Bill Zito announced the deal for the 2026-27 season, Florida Hockey Now reported. Hovorka, 25, appeared in four NHL games with the Panthers last February and notched his first career assist on April 15 against Detroit. The undrafted native of Prague, Czechia, went from three goals and 10 points in his first AHL season with the Charlotte Checkers to five goals and 18 points last year — part of a 28-point total (8-20-28) over 117 games across two Checkers campaigns.
“I got the call and then I couldn’t fall asleep, I was so excited to get here,” Hovorka said after making his debut against the Lightning before the Olympic break. “It’s definitely a dream come true. I was thinking about all the hard work that went in to get here and I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the way.”
The Panthers discovered Hovorka playing in the Czech Extraliga, the same professional league where they found defenseman Uvis Balinskis. Before coming to North America, Hovorka posted 22 points (8-14-22) over 90 career games across two seasons with Motor Ceske Budejovice and represented Czechia at the 2024 Euro Hockey Tour, skating in five games.
“It was a long journey since I first hit the ice. I’m still a little overwhelmed by it,” Hovorka said.
The righthanded shot now faces a crowded blue line in Fort Lauderdale. The Panthers currently have seven NHL defensemen heading into camp, with Hovorka and Donovan Sebrango likely competing for the next open roster spot. Florida could also bring in a veteran defenseman on a professional tryout to add further competition.
NHL free agency opened July 1, and the Panthers’ preseason begins Sept. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida opens the 2026-27 regular season at Carolina on Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with the home opener against the Minnesota Wild set for Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Training camp is scheduled for early to mid-September in Fort Lauderdale.