Photo courtesy of: Kenneth Andersen
Peterborough Petes forward Leon Kolarik has been named to Team Austria’s roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland.
The tournament begins May 15 and will feature many of the top hockey players in the world, with Kolarik earning a spot on Austria’s senior national team as one of the youngest players in the competition.
“Representing your country at a tournament of this caliber is an incredible accomplishment,” Petes general manager and vice-president of operations Michael Oke said in a release announcing the selection.
The Vienna-born forward was selected by the Petes in the second round, 63rd overall, in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
In his rookie Ontario Hockey League season, the 2007-born forward appeared in 63 games for Peterborough, recording 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points.
Kolarik also suited up in seven games for EC Salzburg in Austria’s top professional league during the 2024-25 season, posting three points.
The upcoming world championship marks Kolarik’s first appearance at a major senior international event, though he has represented Austria at several youth tournaments.
Most recently, he helped Austria win bronze at the World Junior Championship Division 1A tournament in December, collecting four assists in five games.
Kolarik is also eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo and was recently ranked 182nd among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
Three other Petes players were also listed in the rankings, including Adam Novotny at 14th, Adam Levac at 97th and Aiden Young at 223rd.
