Coming into this season, David Tomasek may have been the biggest wildcard on the Edmonton Oilers.

The 29-year-old Czech forward was coming off a dynamite season in the Swedish Hockey League that saw him take home the scoring title with 24 goals and 57 points in 47 games. Before that, he had been a fixture in the Czech pro league, had a stint in the KHL, and even spent two seasons in Finland’s SM-Liiga early in his career.

Tomasek was a big name in European hockey, and he was highly regarded in the leagues he played in. He could have easily stayed and continued to rack up the points and carve out a lucrative career closer to home.

But that’s not what he wanted. Instead, he took a leap of faith and signed a one-year deal with the Oilers last April to realize his NHL dream. For Tomasek, it wasn’t about staying comfortable; it was about embracing a new opportunity.

“It was the last chance to come over, and I didn’t want to have regrets once I’m done,” Tomasek told Daily Hive in an exclusive interview on Monday. “I decided to leave a comfortable life and experience the NHL, experience a good team, and I’m glad I did, even though it’s been hard sometimes.”

The transition period has been noticeable. Through 17 games, Tomasek has just two goals and four points and has found himself as a healthy scratch on several occasions. It may not have gone completely to plan through the first two months of the season, but there is still plenty of hockey left to play, and a potential spot on Czechia’s Olympic roster to look forward to.

Tomasek tally 🚨 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/cfAZrPNMXx

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 24, 2025

Though Tomasek enjoyed a lot of success in Sweden, he knew things weren’t going to be easy. He hasn’t played on the smaller NHL ice since he was a teenager with the OHL’s Belleville Bulls, and knew he wouldn’t be able to coast on reputation alone.

Tomasek fully understood what he was leaving behind by coming over and was prepared for the grind of life in the NHL.

“Having a set role for many years and having a name for myself in Europe, that’s some comfort that you get,” Tomasek said. “Coming over here, you’re basically starting from zero again, and that’s probably the hardest part. That’s what I was counting on.

“It would have been better if I was 20 or 23 and kind of learning as we go on, but I didn’t spend those years on a small ice… The hockey is a little different, but it’s not a big deal. It’s still hockey.”

He noted that the NHL game has a lot less puck possession compared to Europe, as well as there being a lot less time and space on the smaller surface, with more emphasis on dump and chase plays.

Tomasek’s role has also changed. He is no longer expected to shoulder the offensive load for his team and has been moved into a more bottom-six utility role for this Oilers club. For many, this would be a tough change to handle, but Tomasek is embracing it.

“I have a lot of respect for guys sitting back home in Europe that I played with who had to do this job,” Tomasek said. “You don’t get many opportunities, and you need to stay confident, stay patient, and kind of do almost everything right.

“I’m glad I’m relearning that, because you never know where I might need it, on a national team or whatever. I’m still trying to play my game, but also learning how to be a good bottom-six guy. I think one day I’ll be proud to do both, because it’s not an easy thing.”

Tomasek tally ✔️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/fMZIGVkBsW

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 20, 2025

It remains to be seen if the reigning SHL scoring leader can find a long-term NHL home after this season, but no matter what happens, nobody can say that Tomasek didn’t give this thing a full and honest try.

In the end, that is all you can ask from a player in his position.