Tomas Chrenko
2025-26 Team: HK Nitra (Slovakia)
Date of Birth: Nov. 02, 2007
Place of Birth: Nitra, Slovakia
Ht: 5-foot-11 Wt: 170 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: C
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Rankings
- NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings: 16th (among international skaters)
- Peter Baracchini’s Top 96 March Rankings: 31st
- Andrew Forbes’ Top 96 April Rankings: 28th
- Jordan Orth’s Top 32 February Rankings: 29th
- Craig Button’s (TSN) March List: 36th
- Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff) Midseason Rankings: 32nd
- Jason Bukala’s (Sportsnet) December Rankings: 20th
- Tony Ferrari’s (The Hockey News) February Rankings: 29th
- McKeen’s Top 32: 31st
- Dobber Prospects December Rankings: Unranked
- SMAHT Scouting Midseason Rankings: 25th
His showcase to the world was at this season’s World Junior Championship over the holiday season. He had five goals and eight points over five games for Slovakia and shared his spicy side on the world stage. He was easily one of the best players representing his country at the tournament, a stage that Tomas Chrenko has thrived on throughout his young career.
Now, the focus has shifted from the top league in Slovakia to making the NHL and cracking a roster in the near future. After all, Chrenko is expected to go somewhere in the late-first or early-second round, with most draft analysts bumping him to a bottom-three pick in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.
The big question for him will be how his game translates to North America and the NHL level. As of now, his offensive production is the focal point for teams looking to take him early. A 31-point season in 44 games for the 18-year-old in the top league in Slovakia is no joke. However, nor is the upgrade in overall quality of play when making the jump to the NHL.
Size will be a point of conversation that will dictate where he goes in the draft, but his tenacity and determination to get involved physically could also improve his chances of drawing some early looks in the draft. As mentioned, the hope is that his offensive game can transition well. He’s a playmaker that skates well and can drive the play. However, when it comes to positionally sound performances, playing centre might be one of the counterpoints to his ability. Could he make a move to the wing during his development on route to an NHL appearance in the coming years? Maybe. But making that jump playing down the middle might be more unlikely.
Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide
Either way, teams won’t be able to deny his vision and hockey IQ. They are overwhelmingly obvious as strengths in his game and might blind some teams to the small deficiencies in his play. Offensively, he’s intriguing. Overall, he might be a riskier pick in the first round than some of his colleagues.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Tomas Chrenko – NHL Draft Projection
As it sits now, he’s a fringe first-round selection. He’s a playmaker that doesn’t shy away from playing physically when opportunity strikes even while on the smaller side. Frankly, it’ll come down to which direction teams will go in the latter part of the first round that will dictate where Chrenko goes. If he’s not selected in the 29 to 32 range, expect him to go in the first five picks of the second round.
Quotables
“Chrenko is a darting, undersized forward who’s playing pro in Slovakia. He’s difficult to check. He has the ability to escape pressure and make plays in small areas…All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. The team that selects Chrenko will be banking on his offensive upside to translate to the NHL in time.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“Has a nifty set of hands that he’s not afraid to show-off despite playing in the highest men’s league in Slovakia. His puck handles are silky smooth and he definitely has some finish to his game. He has to be respected as a dual threat option on offence.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
“It’s pretty easy to see the appeal in Chrenko’s game almost immediately upon watching him play. The Slovakian forward boasts some impressive puck skills and dynamic offensive flashes, putting up over two points per game in Slovakia’s U20 league last season and dominating on the international stage at every opportunity he’s been given.” – SMAHT Scouting
Strengths
- Puck-handling skills
- Playmaking and vision
- Hockey IQ
- Shooting skills
Under Construction/Improvement to Make
- Size and strength
- Physicality
- Positionally sound
NHL Potential
Chrenko has shown a lot of offensive upside playing in Slovakia. The concern will be how it transitions, with his size and strength, over to the North American and the NHL level at that. His puck-handling and vision is a clear strength of his, however, there will be some questions of whether or not he can continue to play down the middle – a position he’s played at all season in 2025-26. The determinant might be whether or not he can move to the wing at some point, but for now, based solely on skill he will likely find himself in a depth, middle-six role.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 2.5/5, Reward 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offence – 7.5/10, Defence – 7/10
Awards/Achievements
Chrenko has earned a number of awards internationally, starting with a U18 silver medal with Slovakia in 2022-23. In 2023-24, he had the most assists by a U20 Slovakian with 44 and in 2024-25 he won the bronze with his country at the U20s. This past season, he finished with the most points by a junior player in the Slovkian Extraliga with 31 points and was named as one of the top three players on Slovakia at the U20 World Junior Championships.
Interviews/Links
- The Hockey News: 2026 NHL Draft Notebook – McKenna, Smits and Chrenko Highlight World Juniors Edition
Tomas Chrenko Stats
Videos
