The Florida Panthers agreed to terms with defenseman Mikulas Hovorka on a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito announced July 22, 2026.
Hovorka, 25, appeared in his first four National Hockey League games with the Florida Panthers during the 2025-26 season. He recorded his first career NHL assist April 15 against the Detroit Red Wings.
Hovorka has two seasons with Charlotte Checkers
The Prague, Czechia, native is listed at 6 feet 6 inches and 229 pounds. Hovorka played two seasons with the Florida Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, from 2024-25 through 2025-26.
Hovorka recorded 28 points, including eight goals and 20 assists, in 117 games with the Charlotte Checkers. Before beginning his North American career, he posted 22 points, including eight goals and 14 assists, in 90 games over two seasons with Motor Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Extraliga from 2022-23 through 2023-24.
The undrafted defenseman represented Czechia at the 2024 Euro Hockey Tour and played in five games.
Florida Panthers preseason schedule
Florida Panthers preseason tickets were on sale as of the contract announcement. The Florida Panthers were scheduled to play the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 20, 2026, and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 26, 2026, in preseason games.
Source: Original report