The Edmonton Oilers signed a left-shooting European defenceman for next season on Friday morning, perhaps signalling another wave of free agent signings in early spring. The team announced they have agreed to terms with Tomáš Cibulka on a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season. After playing junior hockey in Canada, he’s spent the last two seasons playing pro with HC Motor České Budějovice in Czechia’s top league. This season, Cibulka scored seven goals and 22 points in 47 games. In 90 pro games, he’s amassed 42 points.
Cibulka is still a young player. The undrafted six-foot-tall, 176-pound Czech blueliner will turn 22 years old next week.
Host of Oilers Now Bob Stauffer hinted during the intermission of Thursday’s win against the Vegas Golden Knights that a move for a defenceman could be coming soon. Less than 24 hours later, the deal was announced. Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis said the signing is a nice pickup for the Oilers.
“Minute-muncher with HC Motor České Budějovice. Really good with the puck. Not big, but can be aggressive,” wrote Ellis. “Wins a lot of his puck battles and is quite mobile, too.”
Cibulka played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2021-2024, with his first three seasons spent with Val d’Or Foreurs. He played his last season with the Cape Breton Eagles.
Cibulka represented his country at the 2024 World Junior Championships, part of the Czechia team that defeated Canada in the quarterfinal. He scored against Canada, and added another tally in the semifinal, en route to a Czech bronze medal.
Ceske Budejovice finished ninth in league standings this season, good enough for a wildcard position for the playoffs. Cibulka and his team were eliminated from competition by Kometa Brno on March 13.
Free agent trend
The Oilers under general manager Stan Bowman have put a larger focus on European and college free agents signings.
On April 2, 2025, the Oilers signed Josh Samanski and David Tomášek. Less than two weeks later, Edmonton also signed Atro Leppänen and Quinn Hutson, who both have since signed extensions to remain with the organization. Samanski is currently on the Oilers roster, while three of those four played NHL games with the team this season.
The Oilers have also been linked to NCAA Michigan Wolverines captain TJ Hughes, who is no stranger to Alberta. He played his junior hockey with the Brooks Bandits.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.
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