DETROIT — Jaroslav Chmelar has had a week he will never forget.

After earning his first recall to the Rangers on Sunday, the 22-year-old Czech forward practiced with the team before serving as a healthy scratch in the club’s shutout loss to the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

During intermission at MSG, Chmelar was introduced to his childhood idol and compatriot, Jaromir Jagr.

And on Friday night against the Red Wings, the 144th pick in 2021 not only made his NHL debut, but also dropped the gloves for his first NHL fight.

Jaroslav Chmelar of the New York Rangers fights with Travis Hamonic of the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Little Caesars Arena on November 7, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images

“I don’t even know what to say,” Chmelar said with an

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