Ales Stezka

Born in Pilsen on 6 January 1997, Aleš Stezka began his path between the pipes with local side HC Meteor Třemošná before moving into the system of Bílí Tygři Liberec in 2010. Those early years put him into organized development and prepared him for both domestic and overseas steps in his career.

Selected 111th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Stezka opted to continue his progression in North America. He spent 2015–16 with the Sioux Falls Stampede and 2016–17 with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, gaining experience in a different style of play before returning to the Czech Republic the following season.

Back at Liberec for 2017–18, he shared goaltending duties with Roman Will and spent significant time on loan with HC Benátky nad Jizerou, where he alternated in goal with Josef Kořenář. Subsequent campaigns saw him on loan at Piráti Chomutov and HC Slovan Ústí nad Labem, two seasons with AZ Havířov, then two seasons with HC Vítkovice Ridera. After the 2022–23 season, writers for the Czech newspaper Právo honoured him as the Extraliga’s best goaltender.

Following that recognition, Stezka returned to North America by signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken effective 2023–24. He attended Kraken training camp and spent time with Seattle’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, before making his NHL debut for Seattle on 23 February 2025 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After his single NHL appearance in 2024–25, he elected free agency and on 18 June 2025 signed a three-year deal with reigning champions HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga.

Internationally, Stezka represented the Czech Republic at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships—recording 22 saves in a 3–2 loss to Canada—and at the 2016 World Junior Championships. Across clubs and countries his career has been defined by frequent sharing of the net and by adapting between leagues and loan assignments.