The Sarnia Sting have signed a player from Czechia who is considered a top prospect ahead of the 2026 NHL draft.
The club has inked 2008-born Simon Katolicky to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement and he's expected to join Sarnia for the upcoming season.
Katolicky, a 6-foot-4, 198-pound left-shot forward from was selected by the Sting in the first round (11th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
He spent the 2025-26 season with Tappara U20 in Finland, recording six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 29 games.
Sting General Manager Dylan Seca believes Katolicky has the tools to make an immediate impact.
Seca said he brings a unique combination of size, skill, and offensive ability to the Sting lineup. He can create offense in transition and generate scoring opportunities.
“Simon is going to be an incredibly exciting player for our organization,” said Seca. “He’s a big kid who moves really well and is electric off the rush. He’s someone who can push the pace for our hockey club. He has a great shot, loves finding open ice, and embraces being relied upon as a go-to player. We really believe he’s going to be a huge piece of our hockey club moving forward.”
Katolicky is ranked 21st among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and is set to attend the NHL Scouting Combine next week ahead of the NHL Draft later in June,
Internationally, Katolicky has represented Czechia on multiple occasions, including helping his country capture a bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.
He also competed in the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which was hosted in Sarnia.
NHL Draft analyst Scott Wheeler describes Katolicky as “a big, strong, athletic, good-skating left-shot right winger” who impressed scouts at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia.
Wheeler also noted Katolicky’s ability to protect pucks, forecheck effectively and create offense off the rush.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Sarnia Sting organization,” said Katolicky. “I can’t wait to get to Sarnia and join the team."
Katolicky is currently the only import player on the Sting's roster.
