Jan Košťálek

Jan Košťálek (born on February 17, 1995 in Praha) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the HC Sparta Praha of the Tipsport Extraliga. Košťálek was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 4th round (114th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Junior
Košťálek began his junior career with the HC Sparta Praha organisation. He made his senior debut playing 10 games with HC Sparta Praha of the Tipsport Extraliga during the 2011–12 season. In 2012, he moved to North America to play with the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL. In the 2012-13 season, Košťálek was selected to play at the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game and was also selected into the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. In 2014–15, Košťálek was instrumental in leading the Océanic to the 2015 Memorial Cup, as the team defeated the Quebec Remparts in seven games, to win the QMJHL Championship. Košťálek was awarded the Kevin Lowe Trophy, for being chosen the best defensive defenseman in the QMJHL. Košťálek was also awarded the Emile Bouchard Trophy, being named the defenseman of the year.

Senior
During his third North American junior season with the Océanic in 2014–15, Košťálek was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL on March 19, 2015. On October 9, Košťálek made his North American professional ice hockey debut, with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

Košťálek played with the Manitoba Moose until the end of the 2017-18 season. In his last season, he was even sent to the Jacksonville IceMen of the ECHL where he played 8 games while playing 37 regular season games and 9 play-off games with the Moose.

Unable to make progress within the Winnipeg Jets organization during his entry-level contract, Košťálek as a restricted free agent opted to return to his native Czech Republic, rejoining former club the HC Sparta Praha of the Tipsport Extraliga on July 2, 2018. He is signed there until the end of the 2020-21 season.

International career
Košťálek played with the Czech National Team at the 2012 World U17 Hockey Challenge, 2012 and 2013 World U18 Championship s and at the 2014 and 2015 World Junior Championship s.