Jiri Maxa

Player Overview Jiri Maxa is an 18-year-old Czech forward playing for HC Motor Ceske Budejovice U20 who has shown enough offensive consistency at the U20 level to merit attention ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Current Production Over his last 10 games, Maxa has posted 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points, a rate that reflects a player who contributes more as a distributor than a finisher at this stage of his development. The minus-1 differential is a minor flag worth monitoring in terms of his defensive-zone engagement.

Key Attributes Maxa's playmaking stands out as his most developed skill, with his assist output suggesting an ability to read plays and move the puck with purpose rather than rely on individual scoring. His offensive production at the U20 level indicates functional hockey sense and the ability to operate within structured team systems. The balance between goals and assists in his recent stretch points to a player who prioritizes puck movement over shot volume, a trait that translates well at higher levels if the compete level and skating hold up.

2026 Draft Outlook Based on current production at the Czech U20 level, Maxa projects as a mid-to-late round candidate with developmental upside, likely in the range of rounds four through six. The area most critical to his draft stock is improving his defensive-zone reliability, as his current plus/minus suggests he has work to do on his two-way commitment before June.