Rebels defenceman Jiri Kamas hoping to represent Czechia at World Juniors

Rebels defenceman Jiri Kamas hoping to represent Czechia at World Juniors

Published 1:50 pm Thursday, October 15, 2026

Red Deer Rebels defenceman Jiri Kamas wants to represent Czechia when the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship comes to Alberta this winter.

“I’m looking forward to that tournament. Hopefully I’ll be selected. I’ve got to work hard and give my best every day,” Kamas said following a team practice at the Marchant Crane Centrium on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The international tournament will be played in Red Deer and Edmonton from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Czechia is in Group B, along with Canada, Latvia, Norway and Switzerland. All Group B preliminary games will be played in Edmonton, while Group A (Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and the United States) preliminary games will be played in Red Deer.

Kamas, a six-foot-one and 198-pound right-handed defenceman, has had a great start to his sophomore Western Hockey League season. He’s put up six points through his first nine games, including a four-point night against the Calgary Hitmen on Oct. 9.

“When the team is playing well, we’re get to play a little bit more offence from the back end,” Kamas said.

“We’re on track to be way better this year. We’ve worked hard and that’s the key for us. We’re trying to get better every day.”

The Rebels’ defensive group has benefited greatly from the addition of Zeb Lindgren, Kamas added.

“He’s a huge part of our team. I think we’ve upgraded our defensive play a lot. We try to close quickly on (opposing players) and be relentless,” said Kamas.

Kamas was traded to the Rebels about halfway through the 2025-26 WHL season. The Plzen, Czechia native had nine points in 22 games with the Penticton Vees prior to being traded to Red Deer. He then had seven points in 32 games with the Rebels. He also had three goals in four games with Team Czechia at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer in Edmonton.

Mike Egener, Rebels assistant coach, praised Kamas for his efforts this season.

“He had a bit of a slow start (to the season), but I think he’s really put the work in and gotten his feet under him,” said Egener.

“He looks like he’s got more explosiveness. A couple games ago, he was able to put up four points. The goal he scored in that game was really nice. … Along with his skating, he’s been a lot better at defending with his stick. Those little improvements have been positive steps.”

The Rebels host the Victoria Royals on Friday, Oct. 16, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. The following day, the Rebels travel to Calgary to battle the Hitmen in a 1 p.m. matchup.