Tomas Hertl Bio
Tomas Hertl, full name Tomas Hertl, is a Czech professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 12 November 1993 in Prague, Czech Republic, Hertl has built a reputation as a reliable two-way forward with size, vision, and a scoring touch. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 215 pounds, and he shoots left-handed. Hertl was selected 17th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and spent the first 11 years of his NHL career in San Jose before being traded to Vegas in March 2024.
Before crossing the Atlantic, Hertl developed with HC Slavia Praha of the Czech Extraliga, where he was one of the top young scorers in his age group. He also holds a unique place in league history as the first player born in the modern Czech Republic, after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, to appear in an NHL game. Today, he is recognized as a veteran presence in the Golden Knights locker room and a key contributor on their forward lines.
Early Life and Background
Tomas Hertl was born in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, on 12 November 1993. Growing up in a country with a deep hockey tradition, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and began his organized career in the youth system of HC Slavia Praha, one of the historic clubs of the Czech Extraliga. Prague’s strong hockey culture and the Slavia development program gave Hertl a steady platform to refine his game against high-level competition.
During his teenage years, Hertl progressed quickly through Slavia’s age-group teams. In 2009-10, he played for both the U18 and U20 squads, posting 13 goals and 10 assists at the under-18 level and adding 12 goals and 26 assists on the U20 team, where he was the third-highest scorer. The following season, he was one of four U20 players to reach the 40-point mark, finishing with 14 goals and 27 assists. By 2011-12, he had advanced to Slavia’s senior roster, where he ranked as the club’s fourth-leading scorer with 11 goals and 15 assists.
Hertl also represented the Czech Republic on the international stage as a junior. He played in the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships, the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and the 2013 edition of the same tournament, gaining valuable experience against the best young players in the world before turning professional full-time.
Path to Hockey
Hertl’s path to the NHL began in earnest during the 2011-12 season, when scouts began tracking his play with Slavia Praha and in international junior tournaments. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him fifth among European skaters ahead of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, while outlets such as Sports Illustrated, ISS Hockey, The Hockey News, and TSN all listed him among the top European prospects of his class.
Scouts praised Hertl’s large frame, defensive responsibility, and physical play, comparing his overall profile to that of fellow Czech forward Martin Hanzal. They noted that while he was not the most agile skater, his passing ability and finishing touch made him a dangerous offensive contributor when given space. On draft night, the San Jose Sharks selected him 17th overall, making him the first European player the Sharks had taken with a top pick since Czech Lukáš Kašpar in 2004.
After being drafted, Hertl returned to Slavia Praha for one more season, producing 30 points in 43 games and cementing his readiness for the North American game. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sharks on 3 June 2013 and joined the team for training camp that fall.
Tomas Hertl Career
Early Career (2013-2016)
Hertl made his NHL debut on 3 October 2013 against the Vancouver Canucks, picking up his first career point with an assist on a Brent Burns goal. At 19 years old, he became the first teenager to play in a season opener for the Sharks since defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic in 2006. Two nights later, he scored his first two NHL goals against Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes, becoming the youngest Shark with a two-goal game since Patrick Marleau in 1999.
His most spectacular early moment came on 8 October 2013, when he scored four goals against the New York Rangers in a 9-2 victory, making him the fourth-youngest player in NHL history to record a four-goal game. He was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for October 2013 after leading all rookies with eight goals. A devastating knee injury in December 2013, involving damage to his MCL and PCL, sidelined him for 45 games, but he returned in time to score his first career playoff goal in April 2014.
San Jose Sharks Breakthrough (2013-2024)
Following the end of his entry-level deal, Hertl signed a two-year, $6 million extension with the Sharks on 29 June 2016, and then a four-year extension on 2 July 2018. During the 2018-19 season, he posted 74 points in 77 games while helping the Sharks reach the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In a memorable first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Hertl scored a short-handed goal in double overtime of Game 6 to force a Game 7, which San Jose ultimately won in overtime.
Hertl represented the Sharks at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game as an alternate, where he became the first San Jose player to score four goals in an All-Star Game. That January, however, he suffered season-ending ACL and MCL tears in his right knee. On 16 March 2022, he committed his long-term future to the franchise by signing an eight-year contract extension with the Sharks, signaling his importance to the team’s core.
Across 11 seasons in San Jose, Hertl became a fixture in the top six and a trusted two-way forward. He played in multiple playoff runs, including the deep 2019 postseason that ended in the Western Conference Finals against the St. Louis Blues, and he represented the Sharks at multiple All-Star events.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024-Present)
On 8 March 2024, the Sharks traded Hertl, along with 2025 and 2027 third-round picks, to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for prospect David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick. The move marked the end of his long tenure in San Jose and a fresh chapter with a contending team. He made his Golden Knights debut on 8 April 2024, recording an assist in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
In Las Vegas, Hertl slotted into the Golden Knights’ deep forward group, providing his trademark blend of size, playmaking, and responsible defense. He also represented the Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where the team won a bronze medal, and he was selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hertl is known for his combination of size, hockey sense, and two-way reliability. He is effective along the boards, in front of the net, and as a playmaker through the neutral zone. While not the fastest skater, his agility and patience allow him to create offense, and his strong defensive habits make him a coach’s favorite in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hertl’s signature moments are his four-goal game against the Rangers in 2013, his four-goal performance at the 2020 All-Star Game, and his overtime heroics in the 2019 playoffs against the Golden Knights. He is also recognized as the first player born in the modern Czech Republic to appear in an NHL game.
Tomas Hertl Career Wins
While individual goal totals vary by season, Hertl has consistently been a productive scorer at every level of his career, from the Czech Extraliga with Slavia Praha to the NHL with San Jose and Vegas. His résumé includes an NHL All-Star appearance, multiple 70-plus point seasons, and key playoff goals that shaped series outcomes.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Hertl has posted multiple strong seasons, including a 74-point campaign in 2018-19. He has scored four goals in a single regular-season game and four goals in an All-Star Game, achievements that place him in rare company. He has also produced timely playoff goals, most notably his double-overtime tally that forced a decisive Game 7 against Vegas in 2019.
Other Wins and Performances
Internationally, Hertl helped the Czech Republic win a bronze medal at the 2022 IIHF World Championship and has represented his country at U18, World Junior, and senior levels. At the junior level, he was a top scorer for Slavia Praha’s U20 team and a key contributor for the Czech Republic at multiple World Junior Championships.
Tomas Hertl Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hertl was born and raised in Prague, a city with a strong hockey tradition, and he developed through the well-regarded youth system of HC Slavia Praha before turning professional.
Personal Life
Tomas Hertl is married, and he and his wife have two sons. He continues to reside with his family while playing in the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Hertl is firmly established as a top-six forward for the Vegas Golden Knights, providing scoring depth, veteran leadership, and two-way responsibility. His familiarity with the Golden Knights’ system, built since his mid-2024 trade, positions him to be a steady contributor through the regular season and into the playoffs.
With his combination of size, playmaking, and prior postseason experience, Hertl is expected to log important minutes in all situations for Vegas. His continued chemistry with teammates and his international experience, including a scheduled appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, make him a central figure in the team’s plans.
Should he maintain his health and production, Hertl will be a key piece of a Golden Knights roster built to compete for the Stanley Cup. His track record of delivering in high-leverage moments gives Vegas a trusted veteran presence as the season progresses.
