Is Kevin Fiala Czech? Looking at the LA Kings star's nationality

Los Angeles Kings left winger Kevin Fiala has been out for a while due to a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old missed the last six matches of the regular season and was not spotted during the Kings' most recent practice session.

Fiala has come a long way since being drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2014 entry draft with the 11th overall pick.

Fiala was born to Czech parents in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Although both his parents are Czech, he is a Swiss national. He took an interest in hockey as a child and used the guidance of his father, Jan Fiala, a former player in the Swiss lower leagues.

Fiala was a gifted youngster and was invited by the HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2013. His consistent performances earned him a nomination for the prestigious SHL Rookie of the Year award. The Kings star stood out by tallying 11 points.

Fiala had already proven his worth in the junior league, where he netted 10 goals and garnered 25 points in 27 games.

Kevin Fiala’s experience in the NHL

After inking a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators in 2014, Fiala debuted against the Montreal Canadiens on March 24.

He scored his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 14, 2016, and ended the season with 55 points from 60 games.

He was traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2019 and finally to the Los Angeles Kings in 2022. The Kings signed him to a seven-year contract worth $55 million to keep him with the team for the foreseeable future.