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Getting to know Edmonton Oilers newest signing Tomáš Cibulka

Originally posted on Oilersnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 9:08 PM ET

With a lack of draft capital, the Edmonton Oilers are looking overseas once again.

This time, they signed Czech defenceman Tomáš Cibulka to a two-year entry-level contract that starts in 2026-27. Cibulka, 21, stands six feet tall, 176 pounds, and is a left-shot defenceman who has spent the last two seasons in Czechia.

Last season, with Motor České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga, Cibulka scored six goals and 20 points in 43 games. In nine postseason games, the 21-year-old added seven assists and 27 penalty minutes. He improved slightly in 2025-26, scoring seven goals and 22 points in 47 games, second in scoring amongst players 22 and younger.

That said, this won’t be his first rodeo in North America. Cibulka’s junior hockey was played in the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

The defenceman’s rookie 2021-22 campaign was spent with the Val d’Or Foreur, scoring a goal and 16 points in 68 games, with an assist in four playoff games. Cibulka had a much better second season, scoring seven goals and 37 points in 68 games. He capped off his junior career with 10 goals and 49 points, with another goal and 11 points in 14 playoff games.

‘…Quite impressive’

Cibulka represented Czechia in the 2024 World Juniors, scoring twice in seven games as they went on to defeat Finland in the bronze medal game.

A quick scouting report from Daily Faceoff’s prospect analyst Steven Ellis is that Cibulka is strong with the puck, aggressive, and a mobile defender. Ellis also noted that the league is tough for young players, so to see him produce the last two seasons is a good sign.

“He’s kind of a guy that was on no one’s radar in junior. I remember watching him at the World Juniors. There were some moments he was great, other moments you’d forget he was on the ice,” Ellis told Oilersnation Everyday on Friday.

“The Czech League is punishing for young guys…for a guy like him to go out there at 21-years-old and be as effective as he was, put up that many points, that’s actually quite impressive. He might be something, we’ll see.”

When Cibulka returns to North America, he’ll more than likely need a year or two of development in the American Hockey League. He’ll join an increasing number of young defencemen in the Oilers farm system, alongside Beau Akey, Damien Carfagna, Asher Barnett, and Paul Fischer.

Toward the end of the 2024-25 season, the Oilers signed a handful of European players.

Josh Samanski has provided solid play in a bottom six role, a similar spot to what Edmonton tried with David Tomášek. They also signed Finnish players, adding the SM-Liiga point leader, defenceman Atro Leppänen , as well as Viljami Marjala, who has 13 goals and 48 points this season.

Along with signing NCAA players, like Quinn Hutson, this is what the Oilers need to do to keep their window of contention open. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Oilers continue this trend and sign more players, either from the NCAA or from Europe.

This article first appeared on Oilersnation and was syndicated with permission.

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