Ondřej Kaše

Ondřej Kaše (born 8 November 1995) is a Czech professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga (ELH).

He most recently played for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Anaheim Ducks. Kase was selected by the Ducks in the seventh round, 205th overall during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Czech Republic
Kaše made his Czech Extraliga debut playing with Piráti Chomutov debut during the 2013–14 Czech Extraliga season. Kaše recorded seven points in 37 games for Chomutov, while also appearing in five games with SK Kadan. At the conclusion of the season, Kaše was selected in the seventh round, 205th overall during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Kaše increased his scoring totals the following season, scoring seven goals and 21 points in 37 games.

Anaheim Ducks
On 14 May 2015, Kaše was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks. Kaše spent the entirety of the 2015–16 season with the Ducks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. In 25 games with the club, Kaše scored eight goals and 14 points. He also contributed one goal and four points in nine postseason games.

On 4 November 2016, Kaše recorded his first career NHL point, assisting on a goal by Antoine Vermette during a 5–1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. One month later on 1 December, Kaše scored his first career goal against Ryan Miller of the Vancouver Canucks in a 3–1 win. Kaše finished his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 53 games. The following season, Kaše upped his totals by scoring 20 goals and 38 points in 66 games.

On 15 August 2018, the Ducks re-signed Kaše to a three-year, $7.8 million contract extension worth $2.6 million annually. He played in 30 games for the Ducks, recording 20 points, before requiring season-ending surgery after an injury in a game against the Minnesota Wild.

Boston Bruins
On 21 February 2020, Kaše was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for David Backes, Axel Andersson and a 2020 first-round pick. Kaše played six games with the Bruins before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had registered a single assist with the Bruins up to that point, but including his time with Anaheim, he had seven goals and 17 assists on the season. Once the season resumed in the playoff bubble, Kaše found some offensive success, with four assists in 11 games before the Bruins were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round.

Unfortunately, Kaše's next season would be plagued by injury. Kaše was limited to just 3 games in the pandemic shortened season due to lingering concussion symptoms. As a restricted free agent, Kaše was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Bruins, releasing him to free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs
On 30 July 2021, Kaše was signed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. On 25 April 2022, Kaše was chosen as the Maple Leafs' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his dedication and perseverance to the sport after a series of serious head injuries. As a restricted free agent, Kaše was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Leafs, releasing him to free agency.

Carolina Hurricanes
On 13 July 2022, Kaše was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Kaše made his debut with the Hurricanes on the opening night of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets, on 12 October 2022, however after taking another hit he was unable to play and was placed on the long-term injured list for the remainder of the season due to persistent concussion related issues.

HC Litvínov
As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Hurricanes and having regained his health, Kaše opted to pause his NHL career by returning the Czech Republic and joining his brother David, by signing a contract with HC Litvínov of the ELH on 16 July 2023. Serving as an assistant captain, Kaše had a successful season with Litvínov, scoring at above a point-per-game pace, with 54 points in 48 games, including 23 goals. Kaše would help lead Litvínov to the semi-finals of 2023–24 Czech Extraliga Playoffs, where they would be swept by the top seeded HC Dynamo Pardubice. In 13 playoff games, Kaše had a goal and six assists. After season's end, Kaše joined Team Czech Republic at the 2024 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships, his first appearance with the national club since the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, when Kaše was 19.

Personal
Kaše's younger brother, David, plays alongside him for HC Litvinov and was selected in the fifth round, 128th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

International play
After season's end, Kaše joined Team Czech Republic at the 2024 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships, his first appearance with the national club since the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, when Kaše was 19, and his first tournament at the senior international level. Kaše had a successful tournament, both personally and as a team, as he was tied for third on the team with seven points in 10 games, helping the Czechs to their first gold medal in 14 years.