Men's Ice Hockey | 3/31/2026 11:39:51 AM

Twelve hours before the 2026 Chipotle All-American Game, Tobias Trejbal wasn’t even on the roster. 

By the end of the annual showcase, which features the top NHL draft-eligible players from the USHL and NTDP, the Youngstown Phantoms netminder was the storyline. Trejbal stopped all 19 shots he faced in 30 minutes of action against many of the league’s top skaters.

For a fifth-round selection in the USHL Phase II Draft, it was a loud arrival on the national stage. But for Trejbal, it was just another day following his own process. He remains unfazed by the subsequent draft hype or his climb to the No. 3 spot on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm list, treating the noise like static while maintaining his vision on the crease.

"I still don't really pay attention to that," Trejbal said. "It's just some background that's going on, but you just gotta have your vision and follow that."

Moving to Youngstown was a major step for his career. 

Trejbal chose the Phantoms to prepare for college hockey and experience the American lifestyle. The organization’s history of developing goaltenders and its track record with Czech players helped in his decision, and he viewed the USHL as a necessary proving ground with competition similar to his time with the Czech national team.

However, the transition was not without adjustments. The smaller nature of North American rinks offers less time and space for both skaters and goaltenders, which forced Trejbal to be quicker with his reads and reactions.

"Everything is just smaller and more compact," Trejbal said. "You got to be in the game from the first second to the last second because everything is just so fast and you don't have time for anything."

The young goaltender spends a portion of every day working on flexibility and stretching so he can seal the smallest openings on game days.

He also uses unique eye-tracking drills, following the movement of his own hand to prepare for the speed of the puck. While his teammates initially laughed at the drills, his on-ice results have since quieted them.

"I put a hand in front of me and try to track my hand all around," he explained while holding up his thumb and moving it. "All the boys were laughing at me at first, but they noticed it probably works for me."

Being a right-handed catcher also gives him a unique edge.

Most goaltenders in the U.S. are left-handed catchers, so shooters spend years finding their lanes based on that standard profile. But when they face Trejbal, their muscle memory often fails them against his opposite hand.

"It's definitely a little bit of an advantage for me because the shooters have probably some moves that they've trained their whole career," he noted. "Then you see the goalie with the catcher in the right hand, and they have it the opposite way."

Puck handling is another major weapon in his arsenal. 

Trejbal already has five assists this season while effectively acting as a third defenseman for the Phantoms. He takes pride in helping his blue line break the puck out cleanly, believing that a mobile goaltender can accelerate the team’s transition game.

At higher levels, he knows that ability only becomes more valuable. A goaltender who can move the puck efficiently actively drives play and elevates the group in front of him.

That responsibility has already contributed to noticeable growth in his game this season, particularly in his skating and overall composure. Adjusting to life away from home has also strengthened his mindset and daily approach.

"Mentally, being without family here and just focusing on hockey is definitely a big step," he admitted. "Hockey-wise, I think I probably developed my skating, sharpness, and quickness, and I just feel I'm better."

Trejbal wants scouts to look beyond the stat sheet and notice his professional mindset. He is a positive player who does not break down when things get difficult, and he feels prepared for the heavy workload and pressure at the professional level.

That approach has not gone unnoticed inside the Youngstown locker room.

"Tobias is a very competitive kid who shows up to the rink every day with an unbelievable attitude and extraordinary work ethic," said Youngstown head coach Ryan Ward. "He is a very athletic and technically sound goalie who gives us a chance to win every game he plays. He is a great teammate, and we are excited to see him down the stretch."

Trejbal’s rise may have started quietly, but it is no longer going unnoticed. With that growth has come confidence and an ability to impact the game beyond the crease, and he has quickly become one of the most intriguing goaltenders in the 2026 NHL Draft class.

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).