RALEIGH, NC - The Czech Ice Hockey Association today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Martin Necas ( mar-TEEN NEH-chass ) has been added to its roster for the 2018 IIHF World Championship. The tournament will be held from May 4-20 in Denmark.

Necas, 19, appeared in one game for the Hurricanes in 2017-18, making his NHL debut on Oct. 17, 2017 in Edmonton, before being returned to Brno Kometa of the Czech Extraliga. The Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic, native totaled nine goals and eight assists (17 points) in 24 regular-season games for Kometa Brno. Necas (6'1", 178 lbs.) ranked third among Brno skaters in playoffs goals (4) and points (9), helping the team capture its second consecutive league championship.

Carolina's first-round selection, 12th overall, at the 2017 NHL Draft, Necas has represented the Czech Republic in a number of international tournaments, including the 2017 U18 World Championship and the 2017 and 2018 World Junior Championships. He captained the Czech Republic to its first-ever gold meal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2016, and ranked first among all skaters in assists (8) and tied for first in points (11) in seven games at the 2018 World Junior Championship.