tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541696229057829192024-02-20T11:50:56.154-08:00Velvet HockeyCzech and Slovak hockey musings, in EnglishJon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-21508231729518183872015-07-19T15:36:00.000-07:002015-07-19T16:06:12.845-07:00Valábik to bolster the Blaze blue-line<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iccgy39_6Jjbq5Qz7uOHnKW15To2S6N5FP2i-xUHSWpvrBBpvT6DlZ6rgz7VoBrxDtZCn1Nb3avm0Lfsa9DN4VRp1M_vL6vlzgaww-FCcvLF86H9RaILRnI2oOP4-FQSKVvH0qSGIQR4/s1600/Boris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iccgy39_6Jjbq5Qz7uOHnKW15To2S6N5FP2i-xUHSWpvrBBpvT6DlZ6rgz7VoBrxDtZCn1Nb3avm0Lfsa9DN4VRp1M_vL6vlzgaww-FCcvLF86H9RaILRnI2oOP4-FQSKVvH0qSGIQR4/s200/Boris.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valábik reached the Kazakh Final with Arlan last season,<br />
scoring 20 points in 33 games in the process<br />
Photo: etemirtau.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last week the Coventry Blaze got pulses racing when they announced the signing of 29-year old Slovak defenceman, Boris Valábik. The Nitra native, who stands a mightily impressive 201cm joins the Blaze with 80 NHL games to his credit as a member of the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers, before returning to Europe in 2012. Most recently, Valábik plied his trade for Arlan Kokshetau in the Kazakh Championship, where he was signed as a replacement for Ben O'Connor (not directly, obviously), whilst also being a team-mate of former much-heralded Blaze blue-liner Dustin Wood.<br />
<br />
Anyone with an internet connection has probably already seen some of Valábik's fight videos on YouTube, and that's not really my interest in this article here. I tweeted quite extensively on the day the Blaze signed Valábik. See below:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
And from what I remember, the guy is a pretty decent skater, just takes a while to get going.</div>
— Jon Rowson (@JonRowson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRowson/status/620664553467191298">July 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
On Arlan's depth charts, Dustin Wood was first pairing ahead of him. Can't find any info as to why Valábik played only 8 of Arlan's PO games</div>
— Jon Rowson (@JonRowson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRowson/status/620692366593236992">July 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Key for Valábik this year will be staying healthy though. Had multiple knee surgeries already, and back troubles in 2013/14.</div>
— Jon Rowson (@JonRowson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRowson/status/620667433976774656">July 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<br />
I watched Valábik a number of times whilst he played for Kometa Brno in 2012/13, and even on the big ice, in an incredible quick league such as the Czech Extraliga, Valábik looked more than competent. The simple fact is, that a guy of his size, with his nose for physicality, would be playing in the NHL if it weren't for his skating. However, in the EIHL, a much slower league than the majority of other European leagues, coupled with the smaller ice surface which he will play on for the majority of his games, I think this signing makes sense. Often the Devils are praised for signing a hard-nosed team for the "small ice" of the Big Blue Tent. Why not the Blaze in the case of Valábik?<br />
<br />
Now. Where am I going with this? I don't particularly want to go too in depth with my critique/thoughts as I haven't seen the guy play live for two years, whilst also, if my opinions were 100% correct, I'd be in the hockey business rather than writing on a blog. Additionally, I feel that it is a little terse to comment on Valábik before the Blaze have completed their defence line-up, and to see how he compliments Godfrey, Jorgensen, Quesnele, Chalmers and (when he's available) Clements.<br />
<br />
However, seeing as the Blaze press release lacked an interview with Valábik, and I stumbled upon an interview in Slovak with the Nitra native on a Slovak hockey site this evening (<a href="http://www.hokejportal.net/?q=clanok/zmluva-s-coventry-otvorena-do-konca-jula-valabik-uvazuje-aj-o-nitre/59998">link</a>: dated 14/07/2015) which I thought would be a good read for Blaze fans, especially as it reveals some rather interesting information.<br />
<br />
<i>(Ed note: Before I start, a quick note of thanks to Tomáš Kmec [<a href="https://twitter.com/Tomas_Kmec">@Tomas_Kmec</a>] for his help in interpreting parts of the article beyond my literal translation skills. This translation will be by no means 100%, and I will always go for a looser translation more to do with the tone of the article. My additions are within square brackets)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Hokejportal: During the last season, in an interview with Hokejportal, you described some wild practices in Kazakhstan with Karaganda. After a few days you asked us to withdraw the interview from the site. Can you say the reasons a few months later?<br />
<b>Boris Valábik: The agent, whom I worked with in Kazakhstan, asked me to withdraw the interview. I don't know why exactly, but he simply asked me, so I agreed. It certainly was not a good advertisement [for the Kazakh League], and I did not want to cause harm. It was a Latvian who works in Kazakhstan.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
HP:You were not going to play in Kazakhstan this season?<br />
<b>BV: Not really. The financial capacity of the clubs has reduced significantly, closely linked to the financial crisis and the oil price. The teams there are highly dependent on oil, and the possibilities to finance sport are therefore reduced. They want to provide sport for people, but it does not matter what the league quality will be. They are not willing to give a player more money despite reducing the import quota. Now a team can only have five foreigners. Last season teams could ice 11 imports in each game, and I think there was one team with 14 imports on their roster. When all can't play, it doesn't make for a good environment in the locker room because there are significant bonuses for winning games.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
HP: What in the end made you decide to sign in Coventry?<br />
<b>BV: I signed only on Monday [last week], and Coventry confirmed it very quickly. I was surprised because I signed an open contract*. Until the end of July, there is the possibility of finding something else, I can go. I debated moving home to Nitra and I am still thinking. But I wanted to have something in my hand, so I signed for them [Coventry]. They met all my requests so much so that it would have been stupid for me not to sign with them. What I desired, they fulfilled. Whether it be financial, or anything else.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
HP: The terms were very good?<br />
<b>BV: My agent was surprised how good they were. I had no reason to say no. I know nothing about the British League. I have received some information from former team-mates from my time overseas. They told me that the level is higher than expected. A month ago, I was talking with another British team [<a href="http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/sport/other-sport/sheffield-steelers-will-face-big-boris-the-bear-1-7365074">seemingly Sheffield</a>], but I said no. In the end I gratefully accepted Coventry's offer. I might surprise myself, but I am still searching for a team as the contract is open.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
HP: People say that the British League is poor<br />
<b>BV: They say that, but I don't listen. What people say is secondary for me. I cared when I was 18, but not now. Even when I played in the NHL, I found people swore at me. Whether I was at the World Championships, winning in the AHL, I always found some who saw something bad in me. If I gave in to what people said, I would never be drafted, I wouldn't have played in the NHL and would have been sitting in an office somewhere today. If I paid attention to the words of people, my life would have taken a completely different direction.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
HP: You mentioned interest with Nitra, can you elaborate?<br />
<b>BV: I am still in touch with Miroslav Kováčik and we will certainly talk. I'm not denying that at all. I know a lot of the guys on the team right now, and Miroslav seems to me like a man in the right place. England gives me a better financial offer, but I'm at home in Nitra, playing in the Champions League. Everything has its pros and cons, I still have to decide.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Reading this first interview, I was intrigued about Valábik's contract situation and the concept of an "open contract". What I presume this to stand for is the typical two-week notice period that Valábik could, if he so chooses, hand in his two weeks notice, seemingly before the end of July, and sign with Nitra if they match the financial offer. It seems to be a bit of a strange scenario, but it remains to be seen. Clearly, this article is for a Slovak audience, so this perhaps explains the continued discussion of the option of moving to Nitra.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8ITsMtN-_ALaYrEcG-EdS-sGaXcESYJQK1vF9GiWH-UOdhazqdVODVqN85ZZXPFg9xueGiFVWqoOGXdUbQTV5990U8tF1MubfJmZy2IfonFHFUx2w-RtxbwZ5buq6dQk3ePqi-jIVJM/s1600/Boris2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8ITsMtN-_ALaYrEcG-EdS-sGaXcESYJQK1vF9GiWH-UOdhazqdVODVqN85ZZXPFg9xueGiFVWqoOGXdUbQTV5990U8tF1MubfJmZy2IfonFHFUx2w-RtxbwZ5buq6dQk3ePqi-jIVJM/s320/Boris2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valábik scored 1+2 on his debut for Piešťany in 2013,<br />
including an overtime winner<br />
Photo: TASR/Čas.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, thankfully <a href="http://hokej.pravda.sk/ostatne/clanok/361525-v-anglicku-sa-bitkam-nevyhnem-hoci-som-si-od-nich-odvykol/">pravda.sk conducted another interview</a> with Mr. Valábik at the time of the signing which provides more information about this "open contract", as well as who he snubbed in the lead up to signing in Coventry.<br />
<br />
Pravda: Why did you decide to sign in Coventry?<br />
<b>Boris Valábik: The first word that comes to mind is stability. One month ago, I declined an offer from the Nottingham Panthers. However, I still kept the EIHL in mind. I began to take an interest and my former team-mates gave it praise. People from their club called me every day and convinced me that they wanted me. Most importantly, the club always pays its players on tie, the full amount.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Pravda: Were there other teams competing for your services?<br />
<b>BV: There were, and are still offers. I have a clause in my contract that if I receive a better deal I can leave. Currently I am debating an offer from Nitra. Playing at home is a massive draw. However, at my age, it is mainly about the money. I look at hockey pragmatically, I want to restart my career.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
P: What do you know about the British EIHL?<br />
<b>BV: Firstly, I was surprised that a few hours after signing the contract, I received calls from my friends Branislav Mezei and Ivan Čiernik. The marketing is at a good level there. They immediately wanted me to have a Twitter account so I could interact with the fans. I heard that the league is physically tough, there are many foreign hockey players, and I won't shy away from fighting, although I have slightly calmed down. But I have always been the type to provoke things on the ice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
P: How will you remember your season in Kazakhstan?<br />
<b>BV: It was an interesting experience that opened my eyes. I went to Kazakhstan purely for the money. I went through three clubs. The whole sport and life in the country is linked to oil. As its price dropped, there was less money for sport and it has made a big impact on the league for next season.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
P: You have had injury problems for a lot of your career, how do you deal with it?<br />
<b>BV: It's challenging. Few people know that I played almost my entire NHL career hurt. Torn pectoral muscle, shoulder sprains, a sprained ankle, which I convinced myself I could play with. Within five years I had six operations. I appreciate my health more now, especially now that I am healthy and I don't have any problems at present.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
P: Have you reconciled with the enforcer label that followed you in the NHL?<br />
<b>BV: I was a defensive defenceman. I did not score a lot of points, so therefore the media only reacted when I fought. I was not a typical enforcer. I always defended team-mates when it was needed. I never started a fight over an argument or during the warm-up. I admit that maybe I was not able to concentrate on my normal game as much whilst I had such a reputation</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>[Ed: The interview goes on to ask a number of more questions about his NHL career, but I've limited it to just what I think is relevant for Valábik's time in the EIHL].</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Obviously the picture is a little clearer with the help of that second interview. Valábik, like I think a large number of players in the EIHL has a clause (typical two-week release clause) which allows him to leave for a better offer. Therefore, I don't think this is anything for Blaze fans to get too worried about.<br />
<br />
All in all, Valábik looks like he will be donning a Blaze jersey come September, and I can think of many of the Skydome faithful who will be delighted to see that, especially if he puts in performances like his debut for Piešťany in 2013/14. Two assists and the overtime winner:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://sport.huste.tv/embed/15-09-13-h-shk-37-piestany-hc-05-banska-bystrica" width="540"></iframe>,<br />
<br />
Vítame vás, Boris. Veľa šťastia v Anglicku!Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-3280288104125273182014-09-24T05:10:00.004-07:002014-09-24T05:10:28.073-07:00Around the Boards #3: Crisis in Zlín?<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Welcome to Around the Boards, Velvet Hockey’s guide to the
week that was in the Czech Republic and Slovakia hockey world. This week,
Slovan picked up a new head coach, Zlín continued to struggle and Ryan Hollweg
picked up a ten game ban.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Petri Matikainen
named new Slovan coach</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFiZ0htDLUkWJrQTL4T_xxw8ZtovMwoPG5SvHQTN2vFg4ToCMdvspRoRIYN6uYdlvNvxTqyz_WJ9CkkBJ4bWj_DzB_v88SZu0KP-heVsi8gYY1tb-_Yfl5ZKaxH9kNEOZDOi_LYMFTLsv/s1600/IMGL1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFiZ0htDLUkWJrQTL4T_xxw8ZtovMwoPG5SvHQTN2vFg4ToCMdvspRoRIYN6uYdlvNvxTqyz_WJ9CkkBJ4bWj_DzB_v88SZu0KP-heVsi8gYY1tb-_Yfl5ZKaxH9kNEOZDOi_LYMFTLsv/s1600/IMGL1124.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Avangard coach Matikainen takes the helm<br />Photo: hcslovan.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite all the <span lang="CS">Miloš
Říha was due to return to Slovan, the club announced this week that former
Avangard Omsk head coach <b>Petri Matikainen</b> would take up the post as Slovan
Bratislava head coach. Matikainen, who was previously the assistant coach of
the Finnish side for two years, joins after a disappointing year where he lost
two jobs, one at Avangard Omsk and the other at EBEL club Graz 99ers. The 37
year old left Finland in acrimonious circumstances in 2012, after HIFK sent
players to Espoo Blues in order to secure his services, only for Matikainen to
jump ship to the KHL (</span>Credit to Antti Laurila, @supermurs for that
story).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slovan’s website quotes General Manager Maros Krajči in saying:
<i>"From the group of candidates for
the position of head coach, we have chosen Petri Matikainen based on excellent
references. He is an experienced Finnish coach, an excellent motivator and
strategist, with the added bonus of experience on the bench at Avangard Omsk.
Our new trainer promises to bring us a more attacking style, especially at
home. A strong Slovan support team is already at Matikainen's disposal today,
ready to do all they can to help him adapt to our country as quickly as
possible."<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Matikainen will get his first taste of KHL action later on
Wednesday, as Slovan host <span lang="CS">Medveščak
Zagreb at the Slovnaft Arena.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Zlín in crisis?</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo3Sz9jTespgYY200Weq9QK5N6FHV33WACVfnk_MZjeKuaWRAZV96_om5atm4sSIXT-5DeydIcJPgDj-5DTSAyyl0PgZaL1jZo6aYA60Pn6nBcDa-PZ7cFWbSiK9yL4rGpP76IggUZkuR/s1600/_JZ_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo3Sz9jTespgYY200Weq9QK5N6FHV33WACVfnk_MZjeKuaWRAZV96_om5atm4sSIXT-5DeydIcJPgDj-5DTSAyyl0PgZaL1jZo6aYA60Pn6nBcDa-PZ7cFWbSiK9yL4rGpP76IggUZkuR/s1600/_JZ_0712.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zlín currently prop up the Extraliga after four straight losses<br />Photo: Jiří Zaňát, hokej.zlin.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has not been a good start to the year for last season’s
champions PSG Zlín. Despite keeping nearly the exact same roster from last
season, it seems that a cloud is hanging over the Moravian club at the moment.
Losses to Extraliga newboys Mladá Boleslav and Olomouc in the opening few games
of the Extraliga season have taken the stuffing out of the champions, who on
Tuesday night, were battered in Sweden 8-0 by Djurgården in the Champions
Hockey League.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, there were some mitigating circumstances for the loss
in Sweden, as veterans <b>Petr Čajanek, Petr Leška</b> and <b>Ondřej Veselý</b> did not
travel, but it is endemic of a side whose defence has gone from being feared to
looking as porous as a colander. <b>Luboš Horčička</b> conceded 6 goals on 18 shots
against Djurgården.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an interview posted on Tuesday, <b>Ondřej Veselý</b> said: ‘It
would be more useful if we regenerate and rest in order to prepare for Friday’s
home game with Pardubice. The worst part is the travel. If we were playing at
home it would be something else. When I woke up at eight am, I remembered the
guys were already on the road for three hours. I felt sorry for them.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Speaking about his team’s rotten start to the season, where
they currently sit bottom of the Extraliga without a point, Veselý added: ‘Maybe
we underestimated the first games we played against the newcomers. It may be
that in the middle you lose four times in a row. For us it has happened at the
start of the season, and we hope we can improve soon' (<a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/ondrej-vesely-0dv-/evropa.aspx?c=A140923_2101779_evropa_ten">source)</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Sparta thrash
Slavia while Karlovy Vary get going</span></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W6cIpvj6JCRrRrkPde23-wE4gYaQsgFAqF-_W0Rg7NbERuMv3lQTWlvNHTvljksuIvjOv8EXJV6qRBPhGN575gjPb-u_6m1C7HNGRt_p_P-E4xbG7J3h6qnCXe-D67W5jwtnSsboatX5/s1600/IMG_4712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W6cIpvj6JCRrRrkPde23-wE4gYaQsgFAqF-_W0Rg7NbERuMv3lQTWlvNHTvljksuIvjOv8EXJV6qRBPhGN575gjPb-u_6m1C7HNGRt_p_P-E4xbG7J3h6qnCXe-D67W5jwtnSsboatX5/s1600/IMG_4712.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delight at the o2 Arena for Sparta as they thrash city rivals Slavia<br />Photo: Pavel Draslar, hcsparta.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday saw the first Prague derby of the season take place,
and it was bad news for <b>Ladislav Lubina</b>, as his charges capitulated in the
first period and went down 5-2 at the o2 Arena against a rampant Sparta side.
Sparta chased <b>Dominik Furch</b> from the game in the first period, as they ended
the first period three goals to the good. After a false start to get the season
underway, it looks like Sparta are starting to fire on all cylinders, as they
have climbed up to 8th<sup> </sup>in the table. Slavia’s ill-discipline cost
them the points, as Sparta scored three times with the man advantage.
Goaltender <b>Adam Svoboda</b>, said after the game: 'We did not skate. Sparta skated
great. We unfortunately just stood there and then the guys have to take
penalties. If we do not play a disciplined game at 100% for 60 minutes, then we
don’t have a chance against a team like Sparta'.(<a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/hokejova-extraliga-slavia-sparta-rozhovor-f26-/hokej.aspx?c=A140922_021511_hokej_bem">source</a>). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another team who had a good week after a rotten start to the
season was Karlovy Vary. The unfancied side from the spa town picked up their
first two wins of the season to get off the bottom of the table. A 4-1 win over
Sparta in Gameday 4 was followed by a close fought 2-1 win over early season
flyers Hradec Kralove. In both games, 23 year old <b>Vladislav Habal</b> was in top
form between the pipes. In the two games this week, he made 75 saves on 77
shots. Habal spent most of last season in the 2.liga with HC Banik Sokolov.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the top of the table, Litvinov continue to set the pace picking
up two more wins to give them a one point lead over Vitkovice. A <b>Jiří Gula</b> goal
with just 14 seconds left in the third period gave the Bohemian side a 4-3
victory over Mladá Boleslav, before thrashing Kometa Brno 6-1 on Sunday. Vitkovice
also had two wins out of two this week, edging fellow contenders Třinec and
basement dwellers Zlín.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is starting to look a bit grim for Olomouc though, as the
Moravian newcomers lost to Kometa Brno and Pardubice this week. With only four
points through five games, they have slipped into 13<sup>th</sup> place in the
early Extraliga table.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Six point night
for Patrik Moskal</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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In Czech 1.liga news, Salith Šumperk forward <b>Patrik Moskal</b>
made headlines last Wednesday, as he picked up six points (2+4) in his side’s
7-4 victory over Motor Češke Budějovice. Moskal currently has 13 points through
5 games as Šumperk sit 5<sup>th</sup> in the 1.liga table. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The current pacesetters in the Czech second division are Horácká
Slavia Třebíč, who are undefeated through five games. Hot on their heels are Benátky
nad Jizerou and Stadion Litoměřice, with the latter having a remarkable
defensive record thanks to the early season performances of <b>Tomáš Kral,</b> who has
a save percentage of 96.5% through in the four games he has played for Litoměřice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Piráti Chomutov have continued their rotten form from last
season in the Extraliga, as they currently sit in 10<sup>th</sup> place having
lost their last game against Benátky nad Jizerou. The other relegated Extraliga
side, Rytíři Kladno, are searching for consistency but currently sit in 4<sup>th</sup>
place in the table with three wins from five games. A 5-2 win last Wednesday
was followed up by a lacklustre 2-0 loss to Češke Budějovice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Player of the
week: </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Martin Ručinský (HC Verva Litvinov)</span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdB9XRSGCGRaFCE-OHuYIxnCOcWyEbzjK1XlXQJ1-xsaJUXdQZX8eHE67czQteoj6B5CIqDU3eGSMEdU1F9v4ZBZTbMILrqnNGbOhZMxgYaselHchp1Rm6FIUE0mupsqZXE9eiEarehj0/s1600/_DSC6186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdB9XRSGCGRaFCE-OHuYIxnCOcWyEbzjK1XlXQJ1-xsaJUXdQZX8eHE67czQteoj6B5CIqDU3eGSMEdU1F9v4ZBZTbMILrqnNGbOhZMxgYaselHchp1Rm6FIUE0mupsqZXE9eiEarehj0/s1600/_DSC6186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ručinský celebrates with Viktor Hubl, who just recorded<br />his 550th game in a Litvinov jersey<br />Photo: hokej-litvinov.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The oldest player in the Czech Extraliga is currently the
best, as 43 year old <b>Martin Ručinský</b> takes this week’s accolade. The former
NHLer picked up six points in two games, including a goal and three assists in
Litvinov’s demolition of Kometa Brno on Sunday. Still, the Olympic gold medal
winner from the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano was coy about his resurgence,
saying, ‘I don’t care that much [about points]. The only points that interested
me today are the three points we got as a team.’ Ručinský almost retired during
the off-season but was convinced to take the ice for one more season by coaches
<b>Radim Rulík</b> and <b>Miloslav Hořava</b>, and the Most native has repaid their faith as
Litvinov currently sit top of the Extraliga table and Ručinský is currently the
Extraliga’s top scorer (<a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/martin-rucinsky-litvinov-092-/hokej.aspx?c=A140921_215154_hokej_lge">source</a>).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">This week’s pick
of the action:</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Friday: Kometa Brno vs Sparta Praha (17:20 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday: Plzeň vs Hradec Kralove (16:30 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Tuesday: Poprad vs Banska Bystrica (16:00 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-46288360674851538122014-09-20T14:13:00.004-07:002014-09-20T14:22:18.576-07:00Plzeň’s Ryan Hollweg handed ten game ban<div class="MsoNormal">
Another week and seemingly another ban for HC Škoda Plzeň’s
Ryan Hollweg. The 31 year old American was handed the ban by the ČSLH (Czech
Hockey Association) for his knee-on-knee hit on former teammate Tomáš Vlasák in
the game against Slavia Praha at the o2 Arena on Friday. For Hollweg, it is
another strike on his ever increasing Extraliga rap-sheet. An video of the
incident can be found below:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwgBFK2iClCKDeZ1kN2DpsQUMfzU_yS1U1tjdqSiidhMHmfZnZFu3938dc9azY-MCm1Aa7LtTJje8gB9EmgeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
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With the speed that Hollweg barrelled into Vlasák, it is
surprising that the Slavia forward didn’t come off worse for wear, and despite
his lack of injury, Hollweg was still handed the maximum ten game penalty for a
knee-on-knee hit. Quoting from the press release, the ČSLH ruled that Hollweg
had intended to bodycheck Vlasák, but when the latter attempted to dodge the
hit, Hollweg moved to make sure that he connected with Vlasák, with the result
being a knee-on-knee hit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is not the first suspension for Hollweg this season, as
he received a one match ban for an altercation in a game against Sparta Praha,
where he gave Slovak forward Martin Reway a hiding in front of the Sparta
bench (see below). This, along with Hollweg’s previous suspensions were taken into account
by the ČSLH in deciding the severity of the ban. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCuI0C6Pi1fQaJZqfeRXNXIus2u6h4awirHlkzpiA7ptUN01MdXFo4f3F_H9wBKaIx8QBZuhUQfgvSAGcPVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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It is interesting to note that in <a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/tomas-vlasak-heokj-slavia-rozhovor-duh-/hokej.aspx?c=A140919_214726_hokej_ten">an interview after the game</a>, Vlasák said, “He is not a malicious player. It was a penalty, but I do
not think it was an attempt to injure”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3pCwtkOdQAkhi7JmRWRuWsWSpwQpNCdEs8sM-Y-A7XnvM8Xbxo02t_8JaW9J-dBHp9mLj0qteZgi5yrk6Xa0MjEtJ31D654gCNPkCvFBmB_ITWfJql4z_D3g-D7HEJOwXLUwhedXM-qp/s1600/14090416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3pCwtkOdQAkhi7JmRWRuWsWSpwQpNCdEs8sM-Y-A7XnvM8Xbxo02t_8JaW9J-dBHp9mLj0qteZgi5yrk6Xa0MjEtJ31D654gCNPkCvFBmB_ITWfJql4z_D3g-D7HEJOwXLUwhedXM-qp/s1600/14090416.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollweg has truly made a name for himself<br />
in the Czech Republic in his two seasons<br />
Photo: Milan Podpera, hcskoda.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hollweg, who has over 200 NHL games to his credit, moved to
the Czech Republic in 2012, and has been taken to heart by the Plzeň faithful,
who love his bang and crash style, which few have tried before in the
Extraliga. In his first season with the club, Plzeň won the Czech Extraliga,
and was given a relatively large amount of ice time by the club. Last season it
was a different story, as a serious injury brought an end to the Downey,
California native’s year after only 20 games, in which he tallied four points.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is unfair to call Hollweg a loose cannon, as consistently
through his Extraliga career, he has been physical but has largely toed the
line. 180 penalty minutes through 60 games before this season is not what one would
call excessive, and it seems that the ČSLH have thrown the book at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a nasty knee-on-knee hit, which could have been a lot
worse. It definitely deserved some form of suspension, but I feel that ten
games is somewhat excessive for Hollweg. In addition, Slavia’s Michal Poletín,
who attempted to confront Ryan Hollweg, was handed a fine for his part in the
fracas. </div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-26136954575007561112014-09-19T02:31:00.002-07:002014-09-19T02:32:20.308-07:00Čada calls time on Slovan careerHockey fans in Bratislava woke up to a shock this morning, as Slovan Bratislava announced on their website that the team and head coach Rostislav Čada had come to an agreement over the termination of the latter’s contract. For all intents and purposes it appears that Čada asked to be released from his contract rather than being fired by the club.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_1fLClAZnv0B4lWyeaYQB7euNvcmNMxDDgcNLyluTTeUrV8OVogvoXjqr3L0RQnVa6xrx9fmVKH01lBLdqf5P543i2JPvRHPSn_D8TRGHlv2XX2yRKQ7G-zakkpc1tsjmu3p3ac7K13_/s1600/1411071862_8246_20140916-slovan5183962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_1fLClAZnv0B4lWyeaYQB7euNvcmNMxDDgcNLyluTTeUrV8OVogvoXjqr3L0RQnVa6xrx9fmVKH01lBLdqf5P543i2JPvRHPSn_D8TRGHlv2XX2yRKQ7G-zakkpc1tsjmu3p3ac7K13_/s1600/1411071862_8246_20140916-slovan5183962.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Rostislav Čada's last game in charge of Slovan<br />
Photo: hcslovan.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Čada has had a mixed bag of success since joining Slovan Bratislava in 2012, upon their entry to the KHL. The Czech born coach had floundered with Avangard Omsk, but found his niche with a battling Slovan side, and whilst his brand of defensive hockey may have been dour at times, it did get results. Slovan’s first season in the KHL was an unmitigated success, as the team with one of the smallest budgets in the KHL made it to the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.<br />
<br />
However, Jaroslav Janus and the rest of Slovan’s capitulation to Dinamo Moscow in the 2012/13 playoffs set the tone of things to come, and last season was one of frustration at the Slovnaft Arena. The sole Slovak team in the KHL toiled but could only finish 11th in the Western Conference, meaning it was the Nadezhda Cup rather than the Gagarin Cup they were playing for.<br />
<br />
Despite this, Rostislav Čada’s time in Bratislava will be well remembered, as he managed to make what should’ve been a struggler, into a competitor. Slovan have consistently punched above their weight against the giants of Russian hockey, and Čada’s style of play has been an integral part of the club picking up historic victories over the likes of SKA St. Petersburg, Ak Bars Kazan and Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Over the past two seasons, Čada’s brand of counter-attacking hockey, relying on the speed of players like captain Milan Bartovič and Libor Hudáček has proven successful, especially when paired with the incredible performances of Jaroslav Janus, especially in 2012/13.<br />
<br />
The announcement on <a href="http://www.hcslovan.sk/sk/spravy/rostislav-cada-poziadal-o-uvolnenie-spod-kontraktu/">Slovan Bratislava’s webpage</a> is as follows:<br />
<i>“HC Slovan Bratislava thanks Rostislav Čada for the honesty and responsibility he showed during his 29-month tenure in Bratislava for our cub. We wish him every success in his future work and private life."</i><br />
<br />
Without wishing to enter the realm of counter-factual reporting, Slovan’s recent turn in results may have convinced Čada that he had achieved all that he could have with his limited resources. After three wins out of three to start the current campaign, Slovan’s luck has turned, and most recently a toothless 3-0 loss on home ice to strugglers Severstal Cherepovets may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI1Fr77emBQaDURNxP2qvgaGSsYFDuXThYEofeW-ZmTyJ1qnvH2kME1Z9eW9kfL3grBu2ANZLU9XGHiMsuv-ksd_smBQKpDPm6iA5LqbzpQOhX6XY2WPy0GaVsDD5VltRHhAt4gVLHoMH/s1600/1410776720_4672_14september2014-slovan-novgorod-10183444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI1Fr77emBQaDURNxP2qvgaGSsYFDuXThYEofeW-ZmTyJ1qnvH2kME1Z9eW9kfL3grBu2ANZLU9XGHiMsuv-ksd_smBQKpDPm6iA5LqbzpQOhX6XY2WPy0GaVsDD5VltRHhAt4gVLHoMH/s1600/1410776720_4672_14september2014-slovan-novgorod-10183444.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovan's fans have supported the team in their droves, yet<br />
budgets remain tight at the Slovnaft Arena<br />
Photo: hcslovan.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To try and give some context to Slovan’s financial battle, <a href="http://sport.aktuality.sk/c/173810/slovan-prepustil-dvoch-hracov-a-nadalej-laka-michala-handzusa/#">GM Maroš Krajči announced last week</a> that Slovan’s budget for the coming KHL season would be €13million. <a href="http://www.sports.ru/hockey/154502348.html">Using figures compiled by sports.ru</a>, for the 2013/14 season, Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Radulov make €8million and €5.8million respectively on their own. What’s more, no Slovan players featured in the top-90 paid KHL players according to the same website. <a href="http://www.khl.ru/documents/KHL_clubs_salaries_funds_2013.pdf">According to official figures released by the KHL</a> S<span style="text-align: center;">lovan’s budget was the second lowest in the KHL last season, a startling seven times less than top spenders SKA St. Petersburg. Within this environment, it is a miracle that Čada was even able to get Slovan to the playoffs in the first place.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfSZonQcGC1kOE-arr3doj5ZjadytFySZpudYj-2cHu8kpzZExLjg74-rmTgVABp3Laj2FNPHC8GcAdCuCbbUyIkAGIcWhppJZd5TlSlfaN11aKJ_LoYuG5H59hkM5ZxhGvn0RUYwDsX9/s1600/vladimir-orszagh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfSZonQcGC1kOE-arr3doj5ZjadytFySZpudYj-2cHu8kpzZExLjg74-rmTgVABp3Laj2FNPHC8GcAdCuCbbUyIkAGIcWhppJZd5TlSlfaN11aKJ_LoYuG5H59hkM5ZxhGvn0RUYwDsX9/s1600/vladimir-orszagh.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vladimir Országh becomes Slovan's interim coach<br />
along with Ján Lipianský<br />
Photo: bystricoviny.sk/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Slovan announced that their interim coaches would be former NHLer Vladimir Országh and former Slovan fan favourite Ján Lipianský, who played for the club during their first KHL campaign before hanging up the skates. While this coaching pair will only have the job temporarily, it will be interesting to see how the team performs under the tutelage of the pair. Országh is being tipped as one of Slovakia’s best young coaches and will potentially be given the job when current national team coach Vladimir Vůjtek leaves the post. Országh had spent the last two seasons as head coach of Banska Bystrica in the Slovak Extraliga, and was named assistant coach of the Slovak national team in the summer of 2013 as a nod towards his potential. Still only 37 years of age, Országh has a lot to learn, but getting thrown in at the deep end may not be the worst thing for the former Nashville Predator.<br />
<br />
It doesn’t get much tougher for Országh, Lipianský and Slovan as they look to break their three game losing streak against Alexander Radulov and his CSKA Moscow side at the Slovnaft Arena on Saturday. CSKA have won five games out of six so far this season, whilst a Slovan loss may see the team fall out of the playoff positions already.<br />
<br />
I, for one, will miss Čada. I think he did a fantastic job with what he had before him, and has made Slovan into a competent and competitive KHL team. I’m going to miss seeing him on the bench at the Slovnaft Arena, where peculiarly he stood in front of his players, right at ice level. Who knows what is next for the Brno native, but Velvet Hockey wishes him all the best.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-1993892346377158082014-09-17T02:56:00.000-07:002014-09-17T03:20:42.508-07:00Around The Boards #2: Unlikely Leaders<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Welcome to the second edition of Around The Boards, Velvet
Hockey’s weekly digest giving the lowdown on all the biggest news from the Czech
and Slovak hockey worlds. Both the Czech and Slovak Extraligas got underway
over the weekend, and there are some unlikely faces at the top of both leagues.
However, the weekend was a tragic one with Slovak hockey.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Slovakia still coming to terms with tragedy</b></span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbCuRnblnOBzb1vVbeARt2jx_MCB6Pnm3oLIouybxjnYN17bBPL660PrQODoG9sQhTCK55Pqf3ojtnykNmZqHzLzvgFQZ-1RuMRt1ThXpJQsCBEpCpopmKid1NTjQnAg-6YZJJ9m_VMM/s1600/1754964_hlinka-hokej.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbCuRnblnOBzb1vVbeARt2jx_MCB6Pnm3oLIouybxjnYN17bBPL660PrQODoG9sQhTCK55Pqf3ojtnykNmZqHzLzvgFQZ-1RuMRt1ThXpJQsCBEpCpopmKid1NTjQnAg-6YZJJ9m_VMM/s1600/1754964_hlinka-hokej.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miroslav Hlinka<br />
Photo: img.cas.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is with great sadness that despite the great action on
the ice this weekend, I begin this week’s Around The Boards dealing with events
that have taken place away from hockey. The Slovak hockey world is without
three major figures this week, as two former players and the long-serving
Slovak national team doctor Vladimir Luptak passed away. Velvet Hockey
discussed this in depth on Monday, following the details of the suicide of
former Nitra player Miroslav Kováčík, two days after Miroslav Hlinka also took
his own life. Hlinka, a World Champion with Slovakia in 2002, was due to take up
the assistant coach’s role at Banska Bystrica. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The news has resulted in a large amount of soul-searching in
both countries, as fans and officials alike attempt to come to terms and
ascertain the reasons behind the tragedy. No news has been forthcoming <a href="http://velvethockey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/deaths-send-shockwaves-through-slovak.html">since Velvet Hockey posted its reaction to the deaths on Monday.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Slovan quickly unravelling</b></span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slovan Bratislava got off to a fantastic start to their
third KHL campaign. Velvet Hockey waxed lyrically about the KHL’s sole Slovak
participant, after the won their first three games of the season. However, the
wheels have come off somewhat this week, as losses to Ak Bars Kazan, Torpedo
Nizhny Novgorod and Severstal Cherepovets, the latter of which was a dire 3-0
defeat on home ice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ladislav Nagy</b> continues to lead the line, having scored five
times in six games, but the likes of <b>Michal Vondrka</b>, <b>Rok Tičar</b> and <b>Tomáš Surový</b>
have flattered to deceive in front of goal. <b>Jaroslav Janus</b> got his first action
of the season in Slovan’s shootout loss to Torpedo, and acquitted himself well,
but looked average in their capitulation to Severstal, which leads me to
believe that <b>Johan Backlund</b> will start for Slovan’s next game against CSKA
Moscow, which comes after a brief four game break. Slovan will be boosted by
the return from injury of new defenceman <b>Kurtis Foster</b>, who played for
Medveščak Zagreb last season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cancelled games cause problems in CZ and SK</b></span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhGD4HUcxygpCtuOdlM6LDWcrUL-JuVYmKqQz2pNk48uBk7JDMWMi1eotjPdgUslUz4Qgca8vxM5CIptWiKabltnlHEgusjDIbFpXJcC10l4xuBlIEjn9j4C0eMuaEp_6TO3vN2SefNIy/s1600/tasr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhGD4HUcxygpCtuOdlM6LDWcrUL-JuVYmKqQz2pNk48uBk7JDMWMi1eotjPdgUslUz4Qgca8vxM5CIptWiKabltnlHEgusjDIbFpXJcC10l4xuBlIEjn9j4C0eMuaEp_6TO3vN2SefNIy/s1600/tasr.png" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banska Bystrica got the game postponed, but<br />Zvolen were awarded the three points<br />Photo: TASR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first weekend in the Czech and Slovak Extraligas brought
some peculiarities, including two games that were postponed whilst in play. In
Slovakia, Zvolen hosted Banska Bystrica on the first gameday of the season, but
the game was postponed with only ninety seconds to go due to flares let off by
the Banska Bystrica fans as Zvolen led 4-3. It was a miraculous comeback by
Zvolen, who had been 3-0 down in the third period, and as tensions ran high in
the Banska Bystrica fan section. The smoke from the flares which were set off
covered the ice in smoke, and despite the officials giving an hour’s grace, the
smoke would not dissipate. <b>Vladimír Baluška</b>, one of the referees, said in an
interview, “We saw how the smoke spread and the situation is unusual and
dangerous meaning we had to interrupt the game as we have to protect the player’s
health. This is the first time we have encountered such a situation.” The SZLH
ruled later that the result would stand, handing Zvolen the 3 points. (<a href="http://www.hokej.sk/extraliga/clanok122770-Vo_Zvolene_stretnutie_nedohrali_kvoli_dymu_z_pyrotechniky.htm?">source</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEocRgcKDDMIMBGe5Ctshe1gyL2Iu6GRApgfv1yS7s9p_nvPO_dvALJc-9T5L3DbvktRBawCDRuT-ZVJRUc5RnVpzcCs9fUGDzlf07MzdlULO55i3g24wQgHhxirDN8sY-kNoiiq32G8R/s1600/ivo+dostal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEocRgcKDDMIMBGe5Ctshe1gyL2Iu6GRApgfv1yS7s9p_nvPO_dvALJc-9T5L3DbvktRBawCDRuT-ZVJRUc5RnVpzcCs9fUGDzlf07MzdlULO55i3g24wQgHhxirDN8sY-kNoiiq32G8R/s1600/ivo+dostal.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unplayable conditions at the Kajot Arena<br />Photo: Ivo Dostal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lack of visibility was also the culprit at the Kajot Arena
in Brno, as Kometa’s game against PSG Zlin, which was being broadcast live on
the major sport channel in the Czech Republic (ČT Sport) was brought to a halt
after just 13 minutes. A warm September in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia
has made mist a problem in many arenas. The fog was especially bad at the end
where Kometa were attacking, and Zlin’s goaltender <b>Libor Kašík</b> was notably
animated. There was no score in the game before it was postponed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Zlín still without a win</b></span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFl9goqNNP27rV1-BdY5Vj4vXbQlRMlqf3nFLWNW9GLBKkIQSy5pngxDYBeuq2G_6YF9NaIo2bfGxvXZcTXUV1_nA8AZSSaTlZMmbjfxE_mTwlzhn-hACZEbdrnYTV5y7ZsBzu7lkb9i/s1600/Zl%C3%ADn+Press+Ji%C5%99%C3%AD+Za%C5%88%C3%A1t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFl9goqNNP27rV1-BdY5Vj4vXbQlRMlqf3nFLWNW9GLBKkIQSy5pngxDYBeuq2G_6YF9NaIo2bfGxvXZcTXUV1_nA8AZSSaTlZMmbjfxE_mTwlzhn-hACZEbdrnYTV5y7ZsBzu7lkb9i/s1600/Zl%C3%ADn+Press+Ji%C5%99%C3%AD+Za%C5%88%C3%A1t.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libor Kašík hits the deck in Zlín's season opener<br />
Photo: Jiří Zaňát hokej.zlin.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The cancelled game at the Kajot Arena has left Zlín in a
rather sorry state, as the defending Extraliga champions currently sit in 13<sup>th</sup>
place after three gamedays. The Moravian side started the season in perhaps the
worst possible way, looking average as Extraliga new boys Mladá Boleslav
humiliated them 5-2 at the Zimni stadion Luďka Čajky. It didn’t get much better
on Tuesday, as other Extraliga newcomers HC Olomouc, defeated their Moravian
rivals to claim their first Extraliga win under their belt. Zlín went 2-0 up in
the first period through goals from <b>Bedřich Köhler</b> and new signing <b>Roman Vlach</b>,
but Olomouc rallied back in the third second period to take an unassailable 3-2
lead. Defensively, Zlín look fragile, and that’s not something that you would
have thought after they retained all of their defensive unit bar <b>Petr Zamorský</b>.
Certainly more will be expected from last season’s top Extraliga goalie <b>Libor
Kašík</b>, who has conceded eight goals in two games and a save percentage well
below 90%<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Litvinov and Mladá Boleslav impress, while Sparta
splutter</b></span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The first three gamedays have left my Extraliga preview
looking rather silly, as two of the teams that I had pencilled in to finish in
the bottom four, are in first and third place respectively. Whilst Zlín’s
goaltending has been a problem, current league leaders Litvinov have arguably
the best goaltender in the Czech Republic. <b>Pavel Francouz</b>, who was Litvinov’s
one shining light in a dreadful season last year, has continued his fine form,
picking up three wins out of three. The 24-year old shutout bottom of the table
Karlovy Vary in the first game, before shutting up shop in the shootout as the
side from North Bohemia defeated both Plzeň and Třinec. Both victories are
massive scalps for a side desperate to get back into the playoffs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFExHF870-PsxY4kDoB-mfG1RBs7I12ziWrxRe2OGYCuCkO6S0cd95rLHS4II1mYXNkCy9tU4wRo5FLJpgbvgKPovNDvX4X8fIUjhe3mV0bQSztkIpAJfKKTwYgrIU2Ba5ryh5d7p_mb-/s1600/jan+pavlicek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFExHF870-PsxY4kDoB-mfG1RBs7I12ziWrxRe2OGYCuCkO6S0cd95rLHS4II1mYXNkCy9tU4wRo5FLJpgbvgKPovNDvX4X8fIUjhe3mV0bQSztkIpAJfKKTwYgrIU2Ba5ryh5d7p_mb-/s1600/jan+pavlicek.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mladá Boleslav yet to lose in the Extraliga this year<br />
Photo: Jan Pavlíček, bkboleslav.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Despite all of their summer signings, it is the old boys at
Mladá Boleslav who are leading the charge. The 1.liga champions have taken to
the Extraliga like a duck to water, and have won two games out of three in what
was an incredibly tricky start to their return to the Czech top flight. Their
aforementioned win against Zlín was followed by a loss in Pardubice, but on
Monday the side got their first win against Sparta at the Tipsport Arena in
their history. Former Sparta captain <b>Michal Broš</b> had a goal and an assist and <b>Tomáš
Klimenta</b> bagged a brace as Mladá Boleslav battled to a 4-3 victory. <b>Tomáš Hyka</b>
and <b>Dominik Pacovský</b> have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings though,
as Mladá Boleslav’s two major summer acquisitions only have one point between
them so far. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sparta’s loss to Mladá Boleslav sums up what has been a
so-so start to the season. Despite sitting top of an extremely tight Group G in
the Champions Hockey League, Sparta have already lost two games this season,
with Mountfield Hradec Kralove picking up a solid 3-1 victory on home ice
against last season’s regular season champions. The pieces are there but it
doesn’t seem that <b>Josef </b><span lang="CS"><b>Jandáč</b> has
worked out how best to use his abundance of talent. As defenceman <b>Michal
Barinka</b> said following the loss to Mladá Boleslav, </span>“We have to start
from zero. The results will come.” Sparta will be hoping that the results will come, especially with the first Prague derby of the season being on Sunday.<a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/hokejova-extraliga-sparta-prohrala-ohlasy-fjs-/hokej.aspx?c=A140917_010628_hokej_bem">source</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Zvolen leading the way</span></b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<span lang="CS">In Slovakia, the </span>surprise
league leaders after four games is Zvolen, who are the only team in both
countries to still have a 100% record. In front of goal, Zvolen have been
imperious, netting 13 times in the three games. Most remarkably, the team
already has twelve different goal scorers to its name, as <b>Andrej Podkonický</b> is
the only player to have found the back of the net twice. Despite their loss to
Zvolen, Poprad are currently in second place, a remarkable achievement for a
club dogged by financial uncertainty. The side from the Tatras has gone through
a number of difficult years especially following the failed Lev Poprad project,
are at least doing the business on the ice. <b>Tomáš Sýkora</b> already has three
goals to his name. Defending champions Košice sit in third place after three
games where they have only conceded eight goals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Player of the week:</b> </u></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mcsUSI0SQ5o0VTD7TTSTosnA3RLRGyyjCJdUZsKuTeOaEkdsINrzAXBh-UGF5r3oBRsIIOk74iBUEdvPlfboObAp3IaVQPO_p5bAy72LnpUFxZ2XO-Uy-EQqVzmI1-mT1C_wTCgubGol/s1600/michal-hlinka-dukla-trecnin-385243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mcsUSI0SQ5o0VTD7TTSTosnA3RLRGyyjCJdUZsKuTeOaEkdsINrzAXBh-UGF5r3oBRsIIOk74iBUEdvPlfboObAp3IaVQPO_p5bAy72LnpUFxZ2XO-Uy-EQqVzmI1-mT1C_wTCgubGol/s1600/michal-hlinka-dukla-trecnin-385243.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michal Hlinka<br />
Photo: sportky.sk/SITA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Michal Hlinka (HK Dukla Trenčín)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Any other week would’ve been Litvinov’s goaltender Pavel
Francouz, but special mention must go to Michal Hlinka, the son of Miroslav
Hlinka. The 21-year old forward has dealt with the death of his father like a
man far beyond his years, and continues to train and even featured for the club
in Tuesday’s victory against Skalica. Richard Lintner, who plays for Dukla and
was a national team teammate with Michal’s father for a number of years said, “We,
Dukla, are Michal’s second family and we stand by him and will try to create
the conditions to help him as a young male support his family.” All games in
Slovakia were marked by a moment of silence before faceoff on Tuesday. (<a href="http://sportky.topky.sk/c/129438/lintner-prehovoril-o-hlinkovom-synovi-nie-je-to-jednoduche">source</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Play of the week</u></b><u>:</u></span><u> </u><span style="font-size: large;">Ladislav Nagy (Slovan Bratislava)</span><br />
This week, we turn to the KHL and <b>Ladislav Nagy</b>’s beautiful coast-to-coast goal
against Ak Bars Kazan. Sadly, Slovan couldn’t pick up the win, losing 4-3 in a
close fought game, but this goal by Nagy will live long in the memory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iactfIZY4qE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>This week’s pick of the action:</u></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Friday:</b> Mladá Boleslav vs Litvínov (16:30 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Saturday</b>: Slovan Bratislava vs CSKA Moscow (16:30 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
<b>Sunday:</b> Slavia Praha vs Sparta Praha (17:20 GMT)<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-14800991215258925472014-09-15T05:38:00.000-07:002014-09-15T05:38:49.667-07:00Deaths send shockwaves through Slovak hockey<div class="MsoNormal">
The first weekend of a new season is where all the hope and
optimism generated during four months without hockey comes together. Fans go
into the year hoping for the best, and while for some it will be a season of
success, for others, this may just be the only happy time during the whole
season… Well until at least it ends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, Slovakia is waking up on Monday morning to the news
that three people within the hockey world have passed away over the course of
the weekend. The deaths of Miroslav Hlinka, Miroslav Kov<span lang="CS">áčík </span>and long-time Slovak national team
doctor Vladimir Luptak, all before their time, has left a number of questions
to be answered and has cast a sombre veil down on Slovak hockey. Hlinka and Kov<span lang="CS">áčík took their own lives, whilst Luptak,
who died following a long battle with illness. He was 50 years of age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fxTTptOXQ8RhbT_lKPMzi81fQFbo6KvZrZaQmbmi_Io3kcc45nYVUQn1uiKBwdaB_m8JrY0osCae464Lq5b3OGpebINGuydtQcpscy3olxTsE1sEruvrcYxFKXQWS_Dq6euUvX7iBWLd/s1600/635463251474216970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fxTTptOXQ8RhbT_lKPMzi81fQFbo6KvZrZaQmbmi_Io3kcc45nYVUQn1uiKBwdaB_m8JrY0osCae464Lq5b3OGpebINGuydtQcpscy3olxTsE1sEruvrcYxFKXQWS_Dq6euUvX7iBWLd/s1600/635463251474216970.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miroslav Hlinka won gold with Slovakia in 2002<br />
Photo: Imago/East News</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="CS">Miroslav Hlinka
was one of Slovakia’s premier European-based players during the first decade of
the 21st century. The Trenčín native learned his trade with his home town
Dukla, before movig first to the Czech Republic, and then on to the rest of
Europe. He played for Sparta Praha for four seasons, before having a prolific
career in Finland with Jokerit, Sweden with MODO and Russia with Dinamo Moscow.
Wherever he went, Hlinka brought success, having won the Czech Extraliga in
2004, Finnish and Swedish silver medals in 2000 and 2002 respectively. Most
notably, Hlinka was a member of the famous Slovak team which won IIHF World
Championship Gold in Sweden in 2002. He scored two points in the tournament
which is still down in the history books as Slovakia’s greatest hockey triumph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">Cousin of former
NHLer and prolific forward Jaroslav Hlinka, Miroslav Hlinka was more than just
an on-ice force. He was given the captaincy at Pardubice and Chomutov, and kept
on playing into his 43rd year, as he spent last season in the Slovak 1.liga
with HK Trnava, before hanging up the skates and taking an assistant coaching
position with Slovak Extraliga team, Banska Bystrica.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">In an interview
with Czech press, Jaroslav Hlinka said that he found out about his cousin’s
death immediately after Sparta Praha’s 3-1 loss to Hradec Kralove on Sunday. </span>“When
I heard the news, I began to remember our experiences. When I was younger, Miro
was like a big brother. He played hockey and I looked up to him. We did not
grow up together, but when I knew that he was a good hockey player…I guess, in
public, Miro always appeared chilled, but probably was hiding something.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tributes came from other major figures within Slovak hockey.
Hlinka’s teammate from his time with the Slovak national team, Ladislav Nagy,
said, ‘I’m shocked. We were in contact when we [Slovan Bratislava] played in
Banska Bystrica during preseason. He looked fine then. I don’t understand what
happened.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Additionally, HC <span lang="CS">Košice defenceman and also fellow national team teammate Martin Štrbák
said, </span>“When someone leaves the world who you know very well, it is very
sad. I don’t know what was the cause, but he must have suffered greatly … Miro
was my roommate at the World Championships when in 2002 we became the world
champion and we got together three medals. It is difficult for me to talk
about. I’m in shock. I do not have words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Ha7uSSvb-RDdn3Zv2ylUvNyY4gbolPCHXmmxFZC-RSMycfpbdrKdaX0usRMQJshFZF8eldGPxk0JmIePEToEOzkzL4ByufOLvHI8R1VF5sb9VF8oU10YfUtaeVk4nldEbJ_hF7UB4rt/s1600/31553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Ha7uSSvb-RDdn3Zv2ylUvNyY4gbolPCHXmmxFZC-RSMycfpbdrKdaX0usRMQJshFZF8eldGPxk0JmIePEToEOzkzL4ByufOLvHI8R1VF5sb9VF8oU10YfUtaeVk4nldEbJ_hF7UB4rt/s1600/31553.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">News of Miroslav Kováčík's death broke Monday<br />
Photo: hokej.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most recently, news broke on Monday morning about another
Slovak hockey player taking his own life, as forward Miroslav Kováčík passed
away at the age of 35. Born in Nitra, Kováčík had a prosperous career which saw
him play in Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He also featured
for Slovakia at three World Championships. Last season, he was part of the HK
Nitra team who were beaten finalists in the Slovak Extraliga, with Kováčík
scoring 20 goals during the regular season. The news was broken by MHK Dubnica,
for whom both Hlinka and Kováčík both worked for in off-ice capacities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This recent blow to Slovak hockey has left many asking the
same questions which emerged following the deaths of Wade Belak, Derek Boogaard
and Rick Rypien three years ago. It just may be that the timings of these
deaths were coincidence, but the fact that hockey players continue to be
plagued by ailments such as depression is something that still needs
addressing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More news will come in due course as investigations take
place into all three deaths which have dealt a body blow to Slovak hockey this weekend.
The words tragedy and saddening have been used in the Slovak press as
adjectives to describe the deaths of Hlinka, Kováčík and Luptak, which
perfectly captures the shock and grief that is now with Slovak hockey fans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Quotes come from <a href="http://www.hokej.sk/reprezentacia/clanok122846-Miroslav_Hlinka_spachal_samovrazdu_Strbak_Je_to_pre_mna_sok.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://sport.aktuality.sk/c/174345/jaroslav-hlinka-to-je-jedine-co-viem/">here</a></i><br />
<br /></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-87221207013755924892014-09-10T03:20:00.001-07:002014-09-10T12:05:19.792-07:00Around The Boards #1: Time to play the game<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Welcome to Around The Boards, Velvet Hockey’s new weekly
digest out every Wednesday giving the lowdown on all the biggest news from the
Czech Republic and Slovakia. With the hockey season in its embryonic stages,
today’s ATB takes a look at Slovan’s scintillating start, Kladno’s new life in
the 1.liga and a brief Slovak Extraliga season.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Slovan Bratislava flying high on the road</span></u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVOkDO1ZL4CyCABsOrCwaN_0Bwy2F4xQcCNkomdIkHVQ1IWacCt51LwN8iQHM5MXbUaPyu5bI3g3F2ujyyfLNPHBDIFIm4BwoMmBlXf0iE-UuettGZcj3ipvztdG9GgxWx8RVw4ZBFoCw/s1600/(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVOkDO1ZL4CyCABsOrCwaN_0Bwy2F4xQcCNkomdIkHVQ1IWacCt51LwN8iQHM5MXbUaPyu5bI3g3F2ujyyfLNPHBDIFIm4BwoMmBlXf0iE-UuettGZcj3ipvztdG9GgxWx8RVw4ZBFoCw/s1600/(36).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three games, three wins. Slovan have started in top gear<br />
Photo: metallurg.ru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is fair to say that last season was somewhat of a
disappointment for Slovan Bratislava. The team impressed in their debut season
in the KHL, before crashing to eventual Gagarin Cup champions Dinamo Moscow,
but last year Slovan struggled to gain any sort of momentum and missed out on
the postseason. The team has strengthened, especially defensively, during the
offseason, and it looks like a new lease of life has been given to <b>Rostislav
Čada</b>’s team, as they currently sit third in the Western Conference with a 100%
start.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two of the keys to Slovan’s hot start have been new signings
<b>Ladislav Nagy</b> and <b>Johan Backlund</b>. Nagy, who split last season with <span lang="CS">HC Košice </span>and Jokerit in the
Finnish Liiga, signed for the club after making his return to the Slovak
national team after a three year absence. Somewhat of a journeyman since his
return from the NHL, Nagy appears to be enjoying an Indian summer as the 35
year old has found the back of the net four times in three days. He had the
best debut possible for his new team, scoring a hattrick at the Slovnaft Arena
as Slovan defeated Medveščak 5-2 in their opening game.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nagy would also score the game winner for Slovan against
reigning Gagarin Cup champions Metallurg Magnitogorsk, an incredible result on
the road for the Slovak side. Most recently, they scraped a 3-1 victory over
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Key to all three of these victories has been the performance
of new Swedish goaltender, Johan Backlund. After two seasons, Slovan finally
realised that they had to spend some money in order to get a quality backup for
<b>Jaroslav Janus</b>, who has been prone to suffer from burnout due to his heavy
workload during the regular season. Backlund was given the start against Medveščak
and has kept his place in Slovan’s other two games so far. Whilst not the most
convincing goaltender, and prone to conceding a soft goal such as Metallurg’s
opener on Sunday, Backlund has been on the whole stellar, and a 93.2% save
percentage is nothing to sniff at. I will admit that when his signing was
announced, I was rather wary following his disappointing numbers for Vityaz
Podolsk last season, but the 33 year old Swede is proving both me and other
doubters wrong with his play so far.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Slovan will be looking to keep up their good form today as
they face Ak Bars Kazan in the final game of their opening three game Russian
road trip. The side from Bratislava should enter the game with little fear
though, as they have a good record over their Tatar opposition, however, one
should bank on the game going to overtime, as all of the games over the last
two years between the two teams have ended equal after 60 minutes.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Drop that puck</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G8bFbNDBonGZ83RsD_kKz8kL49c0LT8alAMFjAbVFZaUNUMlepX7Rhg27_nkO_ersBiVYDsspikXae-YnYAJR7VN0fDuX0PffG0yplWa3kRnFZ7I3rtMd2dx0ZTq_rc7nCu1uPSvvG7w/s1600/jak_3490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G8bFbNDBonGZ83RsD_kKz8kL49c0LT8alAMFjAbVFZaUNUMlepX7Rhg27_nkO_ersBiVYDsspikXae-YnYAJR7VN0fDuX0PffG0yplWa3kRnFZ7I3rtMd2dx0ZTq_rc7nCu1uPSvvG7w/s1600/jak_3490.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HK Poprad kicked off the SK Extraliga<br />
season with a 4-2 win over HK Orange 20<br />
Photo: hokejportal.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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League action is finally underway in both the Czech Republic
and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga kicked off with a game between HK Orange 20
and Poprad, who just about managed to gain entry back into the league after
another summer of financial problems. They were given an extension to apply for
their Extraliga licence, and fortunately the club from the Tatras managed to
complete all their obligations in time. Poprad ran out 4-2 winners with <b>Tom<span lang="CS">áš Sýkora</span></b> bagging a hattrick.
Marquee summer signing <b>Lubo</b><span lang="CS"><b>š
Bartečko</b>, Lev Poprad’s captain back in 2011/12, added two assists on his return
to the Slovak Extraliga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">It has been
somewhat a stranger summer in the Slovak Extraliga, and a number of veterans
have returned to their native land. Dukla Trenčín, rebuilding after a
disasterous year where they finished ninth last season, picked up former Slovak
national team regular <b>Branko Radivojevic</b>, as well as signing former Extraliga
winning goaltender, <b>Branislav Konrád</b>, looking to get his career back on track
after Slovan had to leave him behind in their jump to the KHL. <b>Richard Lintner</b>
also returns after splitting last season with Dukla and Dinamo Minsk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">Other big
signings in the Slovak Extraliga this summer include <b>Milan Kytnar</b> moving to
Banska Bystrica, <b>Radoslav Illo</b> returning from seven years in North America to
sign for Martín and Žilina’s signing of <b>Jaroslav Kristek</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">Košice </span>look
favourites to win the Extraliga, although one would be remiss to ignore Nitra. <span lang="CS">Jozef Stümpel </span>was in fantastic form
last season, scoring 67 points and leading Nitra to the Extraliga finals, where
they eventually lost in seven games to Košice. Now 42 years of age, <span lang="CS">Stümpel signed on late in the summer for
another season with his hometown club, with the hope of delivering Nitra its
first Extraliga title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Kladno start off
life in the 1.liga with a win</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSMOHyw0JtlTVHorApk7Vjw7S__gA_xesZkkYGnXmaEKSW9KeRep3wfhYS_iyGrCp-KMwDV6BbPq7H9CrwI2oANcCr70nB4hjnqGqImPurBsZRNc5EL5zxY-Zx5ysKcsTHm2Rod7EVEXI/s1600/Jagr+Tom+Koste%C4%8Dka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSMOHyw0JtlTVHorApk7Vjw7S__gA_xesZkkYGnXmaEKSW9KeRep3wfhYS_iyGrCp-KMwDV6BbPq7H9CrwI2oANcCr70nB4hjnqGqImPurBsZRNc5EL5zxY-Zx5ysKcsTHm2Rod7EVEXI/s1600/Jagr+Tom+Koste%C4%8Dka.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaromir Jágr behind the bench at Most<br />
Photo: Tomáš Kostečka, hc-kladno.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="CS">There has been a
lot of soul searching at Kladno over the summer, as the Knights (Rytiři) have
been licking their wounds following their relegation from the Extraliga in rather
calamitous circumstances. Team owner <b>Jaromir </b></span><b>Jágr</b> was on the bench as
Kladno began their promotion campaign in Northern Bohemia, where they took on
Most. A third period brace from <b>Jan Eberle</b> helped Kladno secure a 5-1 victory
on the road. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It has been a summer of change for Kladno, not least as
captain of seven seasons, <b>Pavel Patera</b>, left the club to keep his Extraliga
career alive with new boys HC Olomouc. <b>Tomáš Kaberle</b>’s return to the NHL also
leaves a massive void in the defensive unit, as does Třinec’s signing of the
<b>Doudera</b> brothers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">News in Brief:</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
In some of the least surprising news ever, Slavia today
announced that top scorer and all round good guy <b>Jaroslav Bednář</b> will be the
team’s captain for the coming Extraliga season after <b>Petr Kadlec</b> left for Plzeň.
The 37 year old forward, who angered the Sešívani whilst still a youngster
after making the cross city switch to Sparta, will start his ninth season with
Slavia with the C on his jersey after being an alternate captain last season. (<a href="http://www.sport.cz/hokej/extraliga/clanek/604365-novym-kapitanem-slavie-bude-bednar-rozhodli-samotni-hraci.html#section-artcl">source</a>)<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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ŠHK 37 Piešťany president <b>Jaroslav Lušňák</b> announced this
week that the EBEL was now a “closed door” for the club. Piešťany are the
Slovak Extraliga’s newest club, having joined the Slovak top tier two seasons
ago and have taken like a duck to water, reaching the playoff semi-finals twice
in two years. Whilst still plugging away in the 1.liga ŠHK 37 attempted for
three seasons to gain entry to the EBEL, only to be denied permission by the
Slovak Federation. “It certainly would not have been a bad thing that we would
have represented the whole of Slovakia, but what happened, happened, and we are
happy we can play in the Extraliga”, added Lušňák. Piešťany also felt the
financial pinch over the offseason, and budgets look to be lower there for the
coming season. (<a href="http://www.piestanskydennik.sk/rubriky/sport/hokej/v-piestanoch-je-ebel-liga-uzavretou-kapitolou-18627/">source</a>)<o:p></o:p><br />
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HC Olomouc have strengthened once more following my preview three weeks ago that pencilled them in to finish bottom of the Extraliga table. Petr Fiala's team have just announced they have penned a deal with Slovak forward <b>Martin Cíbak</b>, who split last season with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and Vityaz Podolsk of the KHL, scoring 15 points in 54 games. Cibak has represented Slovakia at two World Championsips and was a member of the 2010 Olympic roster. (<a href="http://www.hc-olomouc.cz/clanek.asp?id=2743">source</a>)<br />
<br />
Finally, all signs are pointing towards <b>Martin Ručinský</b> signing on for one more season with Litvinov. A number of Czech journalists on Twitter today have confirmed Ručinský's signing. The 43 year old played 45 times for Litvinov last season, scoring 27 points. He looks set to join <b>Jiří Šlegr</b> on the North Bohemian team's roster. (<a href="https://twitter.com/RobertSara_26/status/509674555733196800">source</a>)</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Watch the Czech Extraliga live…For free!</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Czech Extraliga is arguably the best for live free
streaming in the whole hockey world, as every Extraliga game is streamed live,
for free on their media platform (<a href="http://www.tvtipsport.cz/elh/">http://www.tvtipsport.cz/elh/</a>).
The quality of the live picture has improved year on year, and there are
commentators present at every game. It is already the best hockey in the world,
and it is a bonus that they provide such a good service for fans. These streams
are not locked geographically and no sign up is required!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">This week's pick of the action</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday: Ak Bars Kazan vs Slovan Bratislava (16:30 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Friday: T<span lang="CS">řinec vs
Pardubice </span>(17:20 GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday: Nitra vs Piešťany (16:00 GMT)</div>
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Tuesday: Slovan Bratislava vs Severstal Cherepovets (18:00
GMT)<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-52079915066706350952014-09-07T06:15:00.002-07:002014-09-08T01:33:17.040-07:00Rebuilding from the wreckage. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's resurgence<div class="MsoNormal">
September 7<span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span> 2011. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3KHFcyqBZUWfqsqhPQqJASgEb72x6JrkuWkEJLskCn4RD5Niyo1xpdL9wRd0tJ9MGLYVqX_f11fJ4vnEDAp-nSSeEkGSAKuYRqbBmxonP_F5tQyBzjrTLswh3DiL97VSlwEZOKxfGAH/s1600/Lokomotiv.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3KHFcyqBZUWfqsqhPQqJASgEb72x6JrkuWkEJLskCn4RD5Niyo1xpdL9wRd0tJ9MGLYVqX_f11fJ4vnEDAp-nSSeEkGSAKuYRqbBmxonP_F5tQyBzjrTLswh3DiL97VSlwEZOKxfGAH/s1600/Lokomotiv.gif" height="200" width="200" /></a>It is a date that will
strike a nerve in hockey fans from now until the end of time. When Lokomotiv
Yaroslavl’s chartered Yak-42 careered into the ground yards from the runway,
time seemingly stood still. I can still remember exactly when I was when I
first saw the news appear on my Twitter feed, and then I spent most of the day
glued to Russia Today to get any updates in the vain hope that at least one
Lokomotiv player would survive from the crash. The heart-breaking tale of Aleksandr
Galimov, who was rescued from the wreckage only to succumb five days later to
his injuries is one that will live forever in my memory.</div>
<br />
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Vitaly Anikeyenko, Yuri Bakhvlov, Mikhail Balandin, Aleksandr
Belyaev, Gennady Churilov, Pavol Demitra, Robert Dietrich, Alexander Galimov,
Marat Kalimulin, Alexander Kalyanin, Alexander Karpovtsev, Andrei Kiryukhin,
Nikita Klyukin, Igor Korolev, Nikolai Krivonosov, Yevgeni Kunnov, Vyacheslav
Kuznetsov, Stefan Liv, Jan Marek, Brad McCrimon, Sergei Ostapchuk, Vladimir
Piskunov, Karel Rachůnek, Ruslan Salei, Maxim Shuvalov, Kārlis Skrastiņš, Pavel
Snurnitsyn, Daniil Sobchenko, Yevgeni Sidorov, Ivan Tkachenko, Pavel Trakhanov,
Yuri Urychev, Josef Vašíček, Alexander Vasyunov, Alexander Vyukhin, Artem
Yarchuk, Andrei Zimin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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37 men. 37 families torn apart by tragedy. As fans, we
remember the great pieces of play that these players were responsible for, but
we are simply unable to quantify just how much of a tragedy this crash was for
the families. For me, the loss of Pavol Demitra was the one that hurt the most,
as just a few months earlier, I remember ‘Palo’ in tears on the ice of the
Slovnaft Arena in Bratislava after he announced his retirement from the Slovak national
team. Demitra, who had been Slovakia’s talisman at the 2010 Winter Olympics in
Vancouver, had sent the whole country into raptures after scoring Slovakia’s
famous shootout winner over Russia, one of the country’s biggest hockey
achievements since winning World Championship gold in 2002. On the first
anniversary of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash, I happened to be in Trenčín
in Slovakia, where I paid my respects in front of the now renamed Zimný štadión
Pavla Demitru. I watched Dukla play <span lang="CS">Žilina in a pre-season game and in the 38th minute, the whistle blew, Dukla
fans threw roses onto the ice and both teams and both sets of fans observed a
two minute’s silence.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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However, the impact that these players had off the ice was arguably
greater than their impact off of the ice. Stories emerged such as the tale of
former Russian national team forward Ivan Tkachenko, a Yaroslavl native and
Lokomotiv’s prospective captain for their 2011/12 KHL campaign. Tkachenko had
donated one million rubles anonymously to a cancer victim in the nearby city of
Voronezh. His gratitude was only made public following the Lokomotiv plane
crash due his wish to remain anonymous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfXkCWyr2BIN7lYXEnt-Ixlo4utShqfWDgh56DurSUStjY0DRpEXA2D_dsOTpekc8zBJvH5dxikOAPVZ2oR7edEH1MTxs_eoK10l9zBcLO8ckPKHs0nKWFk-7Vpk5Rz_xnTmAjhC6xjIH/s1600/PES3dc1b3_rps20110911_143824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfXkCWyr2BIN7lYXEnt-Ixlo4utShqfWDgh56DurSUStjY0DRpEXA2D_dsOTpekc8zBJvH5dxikOAPVZ2oR7edEH1MTxs_eoK10l9zBcLO8ckPKHs0nKWFk-7Vpk5Rz_xnTmAjhC6xjIH/s1600/PES3dc1b3_rps20110911_143824.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thousands paid their respects in Prague as the news reached<br />
the Czech Republic of the deaths of Karel Rachůnek<br />
Josef Vašíček and Jan Marek<br />
Photo: idnes.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The start of the KHL season was delayed for a week, and a
touching ceremony at the Minsk Arena, where Lokomotiv were meant to be flying
to start their season, was put on by Dinamo Minsk with portraits of the dead
displayed on the ice. All across Europe, memorials were constructed to honour
each country’s lost heroes. In Prague, Old Town Square (Starom<span lang="CS">ětské Náměstí) was full of candles as fans paid
their respects to the three Czech players who were involved in the tragedy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">Talk quickly
turned to simply where Lokomotiv could go from here. Would the franchise fold?
Could they rebuild a team for the current KHL season? All the teams in the KHL
discussed the possibility of loaning players to the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
franchise to help the club back on it’s feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="CS">However, it was
quickly announced that Lokomotiv Yaroslavl would be given special dispensation
to play in the VHL, the second tier of Russian hockey. The team would comprise
largely of players from Lokomotiv’s youth team which played in the MHL. The
Western Conference standings were reworked so that places in the playoffs would
be determined by points percentage, to account for the fewer games that
Lokomotiv would play in the VHL. The club made its VHL debut </span>on the 12<sup>th</sup>
December, defeating Neftyanik Almetevsk 5-1 on home ice. Dmitri Maltsev scored
the first goal for the ‘reborn’ Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In their only VHL campaign, Lokomotiv would finish third in
the Western Conference, defeating HK VMF in the first round of playoffs. Dizel
Penza were too tough an opponent in the Western semi-finals, and Lokomotiv
bowed out of the VHL with their heads held high. It was a fantastic project to
help rebuild hockey in Yaroslavl, using the youngsters who formed the basis of Lokomotiv’s
youth program. A number of players used the experience to help their junior
development, and it is fitting that the likes of Kirill Kapustin, Ilya
Lyubushkin and Yegor Yakovlev currently feature on Lokomotiv’s KHL roster after
helping the team rebuild. Yakovlev made his World Championship debut for Russia
in 2014, at the tender age of 22.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The summer of 2012 saw Lokomotiv truly rebuild as they put
together a strong looking roster. Vitali Kolesnik and Curtis Sanford signed as
the team’s two goaltenders, while the likes of Staffan Kronwall, Sami Lepisto,
Vitali Vishnevski, Alexei Kalyuzhny, Oleg Petrov and Niklas Hagman all signed
for head coach Tom Rowe. The former Carolina Hurricanes coach would get just
over a year in charge before being fired. In their two seasons since returning
to the KHL, Lokomotiv made the playoffs. In 2012/13 they lost to Severstal
Cherepovets, whilst the club made it as far as the Western Conference finals
last season, before losing in five games to the now defunct HC Lev Praha.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Former Team Switzerland coach Sean Simpson is now at the
helm in Yaroslavl, and the club enters the 2014/15 with a sense of optimism.
Sanford and Kolesnik remain between the pipes whilst hometown hero Ilya
Gorokhov enters his second season with the C on his jersey after an incredibly
successful spell with Dynamo Moscow. This summer has seen both Martin Thornberg
and <span lang="CS">Jiří Novotný</span> join from
Lev Praha, and Sergei Plotnikov remains at the club, as the 24 year old is fast
becoming one of the premier Russian forwards in the KHL.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lokomotiv shocked SKA St. Petersburg in the 2013/14 playoffs<br />
Photo: Yaroslav and Julia Neelova, hclokomotiv.ru</td></tr>
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The way that Lokomotiv Yaroslavl has been able to rise like
a phoenix from the ashes of disaster is testament to the strength of the people
in the city of Yaroslavl and is endemic of how proud they are of their
franchise. The team was consistently able to sell out their VHL games, and now
the Arena 2000 is packed every game. The Lokomotiv jerseys are still emblazoned
with a black ribbon, with the date 07.09.11, as a testament to how despite the
crash, the current crop of players still represent that same Lokomotiv
Yaroslavl that those fallen heroes did. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Bouncebackability is a word commonly used in football
terminology, but never has it been so apt than in the case of Lokomotiv.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="RU"><i>Локомотив. Вечная
памиат</i></span><i>ь. Мы помним. Мы скорбим.</i><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-27907831128515614492014-09-06T10:02:00.001-07:002014-09-06T10:03:28.039-07:00Stained Steel: HC Košice's next stepSeven straight finals appearances. Four championships between 2009 and 2014. Like it or not, HC Košice Steel are the definition of a dynasty. A barren decade between their title win in 1999, Košice looked to rebuild, and with the help of major sponsor U.S. Steel, who run the gigantic steel plant in the city, a new arena and new success followed. Košice won three straight titles between 2009 and 2011, humiliating their cross-country rivals from the capital, Slovan Bratislava.<br />
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All would seem to be going well in Košice, as the reigning Slovak champions head into the 2014/15 campaign looking to repeat their success from last season, where they defeated HK Nitra in the finals, romping to a 6-0 victory in game seven at the Steel Arena. However, one look at their preseason and Champions Hockey League campaigns, and it is clear that something is not quite right in the Steel City.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles five months ago. But pre-season has not been kind to the Slovak Champions<br />
Photo: František Iván, teraz.sk</td></tr>
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Košice currently sit bottom of Group A in the Champions Hockey League, having lost all three games so far. If there is any consolation to be had, all of the losses have been by a one goal margin, but seeing the Slovak champions losing to German outfit Kölner Haie, and Czech also-rans Bilí Tygři Liberec is somewhat surprising. Another mitigating circumstance may be that they simply did not travel well, as both of those losses came away from the Steel Arena, but is it a true representation of the current level of Slovak domestic hockey?<br />
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In 2011, the news broke that both Slovan Bratislava and HC Košice were looking to become part of the Czech Extraliga. However, their neighbours to the east vetoed the move, with 13 out of 14 Extraliga clubs citing the additional travel costs as the major factor in denying the formation of a ¨new¨ Extraliga featuring clubs from both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Following this and Slovan’s departure to the KHL in the summer of 2012, the Slovak Extraliga has struggled desperately financially, leading to a major drain of talent. Teams such as Poprad, Martín and most recently HK36 Skalica have made public their financial problems and look set to no longer be Slovan’s farm team. (<a href="http://www.webnoviny.sk/hokej/clanok/840531-skalicania-maju-financne-problemy-nebudu-farmou-slovana/">link</a>)<br />
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Three years ago, personally, I believe that both Slovan and Košice could have been welcome additions to the Czech Extraliga, and the quality that both teams possessed would have seen them easily be competitive. This summer, however, Košice have consistently struggled against teams from Czech Republic. In the Steel Cup, played in the middle of August, Košice took on HC Oceláři Třinec and HC Vitkovice Steel from across the border, and both games saw the Czech teams run out winners, 4-0 and 4-2 respectively. In fact the only success that Košice have had in pre-season so far has been in their most recent game, where they got revenge on MHC Martín, who won at the Steel Arena in early August, as Adam Lapšanský scored in overtime to end Košice’s non-competitive pre-season program with a win.<br />
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It’s only pre-season, I hear you say, and that may be true. However, comparing this season’s Košice roster to last season’s title winning side makes for grim reading. Rastislav Staňa joins Sparta Praha after leading Košice’s playoff charge with a 94.4% save percentage in the postseason. Defensive anchor Radek Deyl and solid two way centre Tomáš Marcinko also head to the Czech Republic, joining Karlovy Vary and Pardubice respectively. Last season’s top scorer, Peter Bartoš is now 41 years of age, and not to be ageist, but time is not on his side.<br />
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Coming into the side is Radek Philipp, from Sparta Praha, but the 37 year old defenceman’s career is now on the downturn. Marek Zagrapan was signed from Třinec, but was released along with Tomáš Klouček in the last few days (<a href="http://www.hockeyslovakia.sk/sk/clanok/hokej-kosice-uz-bez-tria-kloucek-zagrapan-pasek">link</a>).<br />
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If one compares Košice’s present roster with their team of 2010/11, which won the last of their trio of consecutive titles, it is clear how Slovakia’s domestic downturn has taken hold. Július Hudáček cut his teeth with Košice, and he has yet to be truly replaced at Košice. Alexander Hýlak will tend goal for Košice for the coming season, but the Czech netminder never made it as a Czech Extraliga starting goalie before signing with Košice in 2011. Ján Tabaček and Michel Miklik both left to join Slovan and have not looked back since leaving Košice. Additionally, Vladmir Dravecký, Marcel Haščak and Jaroslav Kristek both tried the KHL and have moved onto bigger and better things. Crucially, what this highlights is that in the time between 2011 and the present day, Košice has not been able to replace the quality they had three years ago. Bartoš and Richard Jenčik remain, but the supporting cast is significantly weaker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn3m_b2bmD2gZOktsPwqMxwYYPJdu4xtTNQadoxekXvb8-72sL4PzhmbAyVQFEYI4MDYErbltR6M8AIFE-6BAPyEbqqg_M2XvCDZc2CqBbxWkA2Ol1YqxCw_pVameRvrondIH0g_N1YKt/s1600/erik_cernak_hc_kosice_trening_facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn3m_b2bmD2gZOktsPwqMxwYYPJdu4xtTNQadoxekXvb8-72sL4PzhmbAyVQFEYI4MDYErbltR6M8AIFE-6BAPyEbqqg_M2XvCDZc2CqBbxWkA2Ol1YqxCw_pVameRvrondIH0g_N1YKt/s1600/erik_cernak_hc_kosice_trening_facebook.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erik Černák, Pride of Košice's junior system<br />
Photo: sport.sk</td></tr>
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If there is one crumb of comfort for Eastern Slovakia’s finest, it is that quality as a whole in the Slovak Extraliga has dropped along with Košice’s loss of talent. The best of Slovakia’s domestic talent is flocking not only to the KHL, but more so to the Czech Extraliga than ever before. Consequently, teams are turning to younger, Slovak talent, which may in fact be a positive step for Slovak hockey. Adam Janošik has been getting big minutes in pre-season since signing from Liberec in the Czech Extraliga, whilst Slovakia U20 graduate Milan Kolena has been centreing the top line. Additionally, Slovakia’s best prospect for a number of years, defenceman Erik Černák will look to bounce back from a rocky year and will likely play a greater part in Košice’s Extraliga team than last year. The Košice native played at the World Junior Championships at 16 years of age, and reflects the good work that Košice has been doing in producing quality talent. Černák will more than likely join Martin Marinčin and Tomáš Jurčo as top-60 NHL draft picks when he is eligible in 2016.<br />
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All in all, what started out as a rather scathing critique of Košice and the Slovak Extraliga as a whole seems to end on somewhat of a positive note, especially when at the time of writing, Košice are currently Liberec in their CHL game played at the Steel Arena. Two years ago I reflected on what I called Slovakia’s ‘long summer’, following Slovan’s departure, and once again I am left with mixed feelings. All of the negatives I have listed could also be interpreted as positives in one way or another. What I think is objective, however, is that Slovak hockey’s domestic strength is not what it was, and for better or worse, this is something that will have the head honchos at the SZLH questioning which step to take next. The HK Orange 20 project, which has seen the best of the domestic talent younger than 20 join as a team and play as part of the Extraliga until the World Junior Championships is entering its eighth season, and the results are less than tangible, yet the SZLH continues with the project. Even going back an age group, Slovakia once again finished the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament winless on home ice.<br />
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Košice will go into the current season favourites, and rightly so, but while they still remain a powerhouse in Slovak hockey, what is clear is that they are anything but a European powerhouse. What Pavol Zůbek, Anton Tomko and the rest of the backroom staff have to do to turn this around remains to be seen.<br />
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Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-66779542591776838642014-09-05T03:43:00.000-07:002014-09-05T03:50:06.837-07:00Slovan Bratislava still on the Handzuš trailEach year as summer turns to autumn, there are always one or two European veterans who seemingly fall off the face of the earth as their NHL contracts expire and no news is forthcoming of there whereabouts. More often than not, this is the signal of a return home to Europe. This summer, the likes of Rostislav Klesla and Mikael Samuelsson have moved back to their respective native lands in order to prolong their careers by a few more seasons with HC Oceláři Třinec and Djurgården respectively.<br />
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At 37 years of age and over 1000 NHL games to his credit, <b>Michal Handzuš</b> has been one of the most understated NHLers in his fifteen season career in North America. After starting out with the St. Louis Blues, Handzuš played for six teams in total, with the pinnacle of his career being the Stanley Cup victory with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012/13.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handzuš was a major part of the Slovakia<br />
team that won silver at the 2012 IIHF<br />
World Championships<br />
Photo: SITA, nhl.sk</td></tr>
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However, the Banska Bystrica native is now a free agent, and with few NHL offers on the table after a disappointing 16 points in 59 games, it looks like Slovakia’s KHL representative, HC Slovan Bratislava, may be in the market for the big bodied centre. Handzuš is a player respected by many in Slovakia, not least due his commitment to the national team. Slovakia has been plagued in recent seasons with many of the now few Slovaks in the NHL refusing to attend the World Championships, but when situations have allowed, Handzuš is a regular attendee.<br />
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The news of Slovan’s pursuit of Handzuš was reiterated by Slovan General Manager <b>Maros Krajči</b>. Sport.sk quotes Krajči, who said that “with each passing day, the chance of Handzuš playing for Slovan increases“. (<a href="http://sport.aktuality.sk/c/173810/slovan-prepustil-dvoch-hracov-a-nadalej-laka-michala-handzusa/#">link</a>)<br />
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Krajči goes on to reiterate that the option of an NHL team coming in at the eleventh hour to snatch Handzuš remains a possibility, it would be a major coup for Slovan to add a player of Handzuš‘ experience. Furthermore, especially following rumblings of financial difficulties towards the end of last season, a signing of Handzuš‘ calibre would go a long way to generating marketing interest in the team, as well as the necessary ¨bums on seats¨.<br />
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The way is perhaps paved somewhat for Handzuš, as Krajči announced to the press that Slovan had released defenceman Tomáš Mojžíš and forward Martin Bakoš (<a href="http://www.hcslovan.sk/sk/spravy/slovan-uz-bez-mojzisa/">link</a>). Since being signed from HC Lev in 2013, Mojžíš had been a solid contributor for Slovan, adding 13 points from the blueline in his one full season with Slovan. However, Slovan have spent a lot of money upgrading their blueline this summer, adding Ivan Baranka and most recently Tomáš Starosta. One would assume that financial considerations were at the heart of Mojžíš‘ release, especially while Vladimir Mihálík remains on the roster.<br />
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With the Miroslav Šatan ship now seemingly sailed into the port of retirement, the importance of Slovan adding Handzuš is not to be underestimated, especially in terms of what he adds off the ice more than anything. On the ice, Slovan kicked off the 2014/15 season in style, as new summer signing and Slovakia national team veteran Ladislav Nagy had a hattrick in his debut for the club. Check out his marvellous second goal below (play develops from 1:50 onwards), where Nagy made former Canadiens second rounder Mathieu Carle look like a beer leaguer with a lovely piece of skill.<br />
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If Handzuš is to join Slovan, I can’t imagine he will don the eagle crest for a couple of weeks at least. However, with the team now flying out to Russia for a three game road trip where they will face Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and Ak Bars Kazan, presumably Krajči and the rest of the backroom staff in Bratislava will have less distraction in order to tempt Handzuš to join the Sky Blues (Belasí).<br />
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Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-23726035982696999832014-08-28T03:14:00.000-07:002014-09-02T03:24:12.227-07:00Extraliga Preview Part Two: Revealing the contenders<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Last week Velvet Hockey brought you part one of it's 2013/14 Czech Extraliga preview, looking at the teams who (in the author's opinion) will make up the bottom half of the league. A week on, and it is time to turn to the contenders. From the tradition of Sparta Praha to the youthful Hradec Králové franchise, read below for all the summer news and line-up discussion.</i></div>
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<b>HC Sparta Praha – Is this the year?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Last season</b>: 1st<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Petr Ton (40yo, 50GP 35+32 +27)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Tomáš Pöpperle (44GP 1.61GAA
93.6%)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh Sparta. Another season where they looked invincible in
the regular season, only for it to unravel in the playoffs. It has now been
seven years since they last won the Extraliga title, and the Tipsport Arena
faithful are starting to get restless. Coaches have come and gone, and one must
imagine that Josef Jandáč is on a short leash and the bosses will not be
forgiving if results don’t go their way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Jaroslav Hlinka thrive without Ton?<br />
Photo: Atte Rissanen, CHL</td></tr>
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There is a new dawn at Sparta. Gone is long time hero Petr
Ton, Tomáš Rachůnek has moved to Metallurg Novokuznetsk and Tomáš Pöpperle will
no longer tend the Sparta net after he signed with KHL newcomers HK Sochi. Joining
from Slovak champions HC Košice is <b>Rastislav Staňa</b>. The veteran shot stopper
was in inspired form with Košice, posting a 94.4% save percentage in the
playoffs. Staňa has never played in the Czech Extraliga before, but has a
wealth of SHL and KHL experience and will surely be an asset at this level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sparta have taken the adage of offence wins games but
defence wins championships, as they have assembled what looks to be the best
defence in the Czech Republic. The signings of <b>Marek Ďaloga</b>, <b>Michal Barinka</b> and
<b>Juraj Mikúš</b> are a sign of shrewd recruitment, and means that it is going to be
very difficult to score goals past Sparta this coming season. <b>Karel Pilář</b>, <b>Jan
Svrček</b> and <b>Jan Piskaček</b> remain from last season’s roster, forming an incredibly
promising top six.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Up front, the task has been to replace the goals lost by the
departure of Petr Ton. Sparta look to be doing this by committee rather than
the signing of one star player. Imports <b>Robert Sabolic</b> and <b>Zack Torquato</b> will
add some welcome scoring touch, while <b>Martin Réway</b>, one of the most hyped
Slovak prospects in recent years, joins Sparta at the tender age of 19 instead
of returning to the QMJHL. <o:p></o:p></div>
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37 year old <b>Jaroslav Hlinka</b> may notice a downturn in his
form with the loss of top line partner Petr Ton, but look for the former
Karlovy Vary pair of <b>Petr Kumstát</b> and <b>Lukáš Pech</b> to add more points than they
did last season. 6‘6‘‘ forward Kumstát tallied 18 goals in 2013/14, edging
closer to the 27 goal career high he posted in 2011/12 with Karlovy Vary, which
made Sparta so adamant to bring him and Pech to the Czech capital. <b>Tomáš
Rolínek</b> will captain the side, the former Metallurg Magnitogorsk forward finally
settling back in the Extraliga, while <b>Jan Buchtele</b> and new signing <b>Lukáš Cingel</b>
will be on task to add further scoring depth. Buchtele scored 35 points in his
first season with Sparta in 2013/14<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a number of top players entering their second seasons
with the club following the rebuild in 2013, I can see Sparta being even more
dominant this season, and with a strengthened back end, it could very easily be
their year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Martin Réway (Forward. Last season – Gatineau Olympiques:
43GP 20+42 +13)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P1g1t16gJ6vS7wwpQObIA8ALcRTuuImubjDlqzDowAu0nIX0WTDf7_I3wKi_UA_QeDIxdMUdB3dBWtllFs1E5yjuWSNEebHfYFPWC3Q1cM24A_h8BEHykOSe3WzlenbhqRP-q1ioG3Co/s1600/Reway+Vaxjo+Lakers+Getty+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P1g1t16gJ6vS7wwpQObIA8ALcRTuuImubjDlqzDowAu0nIX0WTDf7_I3wKi_UA_QeDIxdMUdB3dBWtllFs1E5yjuWSNEebHfYFPWC3Q1cM24A_h8BEHykOSe3WzlenbhqRP-q1ioG3Co/s1600/Reway+Vaxjo+Lakers+Getty+Images.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Réway will look to impress with Sparta<br />
Photo: Vaxjo Lakers, CHL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The former Sparta Praha junior has returned ¨home¨ as the
Montreal Canadiens draft pick has put pen to paper to sign with Sparta and get
his first taste of professional hockey. At 19 years of age, Réway still has a
number of years of development ahead, and the raw skill that the Prague born
forward has is off the charts. He may need a few years to truly make the jump
from junior to professional hockey, but his prolific junior career is sign that
Réway is one of the top European prospects at present. 10 points in 5 games at
the World Junior Championships went a long way to earning Réway a call up to
the Slovakia senior team for the senior World Championships, where he scored
three points in seven games. He has made a positive start to his Sparta career,
tallying two assist in the club’s first two Champions Hockey League games.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions: </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 1st<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> Jan Buchtele<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Rastislav Staňa<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HC Oceláři Třinec – New arena, same goal</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 2nd<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Martin Růžíčka (28yo, 52GP 26+29
-8)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Šimon Hrubec (43GP 2.15GAA
92.5%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yxvPGQX0BPIbJZoB9_ZQ9T4tWCDuKngldXVseSRbOOILhLxlxBf6lIIlA0pB3Y7JT-JWXnuwwqyF401wBOoHQx6T5ob4zgWLIPcZ75kfSWj0WcO6iDc8d8Md5SrYSH8jVClBGbNL3yms/s1600/Steel+Cup+winners+Marian+Je%C5%BEowicz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yxvPGQX0BPIbJZoB9_ZQ9T4tWCDuKngldXVseSRbOOILhLxlxBf6lIIlA0pB3Y7JT-JWXnuwwqyF401wBOoHQx6T5ob4zgWLIPcZ75kfSWj0WcO6iDc8d8Md5SrYSH8jVClBGbNL3yms/s1600/Steel+Cup+winners+Marian+Je%C5%BEowicz.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Třinec celebrate winning the Steel Cup.<br />
Photo: Marian Ježowicz, hcocelari.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Třinec come from one of the smallest markets in the
Extraliga, but have consistently produced Extraliga contenders for a number of
seasons. A true hockey town, the new Werk Arena was presented to the team this
off-season, and is a brand new facility to replace the crumbling old rink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a new look team for the new rink as well, as it is out
with the old and in with the new. Martin Růžíčka, who broke Ziggy Pálffy’s Extraliga
playoff points record on the way to the 2011 title, leaves after signing a two
year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk. Radek Bonk, Jan Peterek and Václav Varaďa
have called time on their careers, while David Květoň has signed with Mladá
Boleslav. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Goaltending is the only area where there is some stability,
as Třinec will put their faith in <b>Šimon Hrubec</b>, who impressed in his first
season as an out and out starting goaltender. You have the sense that it is
<b>Peter Hamerlík</b>’s last chance to prove himself at the Extraliga level this
season, as the 2011 championship winning goaltender really struggled last
season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PIjrXS19CGGATWphvHpo4RBptX1IyNzTzr37vCksxwKiAvNW7j6ePkmdFV8MlQODNAcBZxyGOlYRqQUQgJaExdsK-FHySPz4xV2587EQPZtp52bwCrJWFQaLLqT0OH9eaO_S3_6V0Pd3/s1600/%C5%BEejdl,+je%C5%BEowicz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PIjrXS19CGGATWphvHpo4RBptX1IyNzTzr37vCksxwKiAvNW7j6ePkmdFV8MlQODNAcBZxyGOlYRqQUQgJaExdsK-FHySPz4xV2587EQPZtp52bwCrJWFQaLLqT0OH9eaO_S3_6V0Pd3/s1600/%C5%BEejdl,+je%C5%BEowicz.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will the grass be greener on the other side for Žejdl?<br />
Photo: Marian Ježowicz, hcocelari.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Třinec have crafted a whole new forward line-up for the
2014/15 season, headlined by the Extraliga return of <b>Zbyněk Irgl</b>. The 33 year
old Czech national team regular has not played in the Extraliga for seven
years, after leaving Vitkovice, and moves to Třinec after scoring 20 points
with Dinamo Minsk last season. Irgl still has plenty of gas in the tank, and
while I think he will be a key part of Třinec’s success next season, fans will
have to be patient as veterans returning to the Extraliga have often needed a
season to become re-accustomed with the league.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tomáš Plihal</b> signs after a successful spell in Finland,
while <b>Vladimir Dravecký</b> and <b>Kamil Kreps</b> will be looking for some stability in
their careers with Třinec. Dravecký is a player I rate highly, and believe he
should’ve got more of a chance at Slovan than he did. He was over a point per
game with Swiss NLB side Ajoie last season, and he can really contribute up
front. Another major summer signing is <b>Lukáš Žejdl</b>, from Slavia Praha, who I
think is one of the best young forwards in the Extraliga.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite all the signings, it could be 32 year old centre <b>Jiří Polanský</b> who is the vital piece of the Třinec puzzle. Two straight seasons of 46 points show that he is truly in the prime of his career, and 5 points in the opening 2 games of the Champions Hockey League season show that the Brno native shows no sign of slowing down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the blueline, <b>Rostislav Klesla</b> makes his return to Třinec
calling time on his 654 game NHL career. Klesla looked rather uninspired when
he played for Třinec during the 2012 lockout, so the Steelers, who won the apt-named
Steel Cup in August against Košice and Severstal Cherepovets, will be hoping
for better things from their marquee blueline signing. Klesla will join the
likes of Marek Trončinský, who gained notoriety during pre-season for scoring
this goal during pre-season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKJemUYSfd2c27JM7Gye1pBaBVYhAMr8uwv7pyKGuteZ6OGDADLa7c3t_KEcf4fpjrdSUcicqxMt8iZr-YMSJcODnofw0tquhNtsaUcFvlmbe7ogDH_GC24f5jyo5RovWDOYv1zv7uhs7/s1600/OptimalDearArkshell.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKJemUYSfd2c27JM7Gye1pBaBVYhAMr8uwv7pyKGuteZ6OGDADLa7c3t_KEcf4fpjrdSUcicqxMt8iZr-YMSJcODnofw0tquhNtsaUcFvlmbe7ogDH_GC24f5jyo5RovWDOYv1zv7uhs7/s1600/OptimalDearArkshell.gif" height="185" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the addition of Klesla, Třinec have a very
strong defence on paper, and <b>Lukáš Galvas</b>, <b>Tomáš Linhart</b> and young
gun <b>Vladimir Roth</b> all have the experience and quality to deliver
another title to Moravia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Lukáš Žejdl (Forward. Last season – Slavia Praha:
47GP 6+20 +2)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe it’s the Slavia fan in me, but Žejdl, in my opinion, is
a top quality young forward who should be getting first line minutes this
season. After scoring 26 points with Slavia last season, the big bodied
physical forward made the move to the east to play for Třinec, where I think if
given top six time, he’ll top 30 points, although that will change if he is
forced onto the third line by the log jam of forwards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 2nd<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> Jiří Polanský<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Jiří Polanský<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PSG Zlín – Looking for the illusive repeat</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season</b>: 3rd (But won the Extraliga playoffs)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer:</b> Petr Leška (38yo, 52GP, 6+38 +8)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Libor Kašík (24GP 1.88GAA
93.6%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuU_2ZdKY1X3FTyygE40fFDPDskONQEd-mUeFP8UgmU4i8go-vBxTaz1Syj0myIazjlTcNxd6tewPkLAafcNyt5ea_q12A8vimx6q5WNkkl9vTAXJzn-vl7X60dy_o1dNl8UsTJB7QFKh/s1600/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD+Za%C5%88%C3%A1t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuU_2ZdKY1X3FTyygE40fFDPDskONQEd-mUeFP8UgmU4i8go-vBxTaz1Syj0myIazjlTcNxd6tewPkLAafcNyt5ea_q12A8vimx6q5WNkkl9vTAXJzn-vl7X60dy_o1dNl8UsTJB7QFKh/s1600/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD+Za%C5%88%C3%A1t.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-season has been kind for Zlin so far<br />
Photo: Jiří Zaňát, hokej.zlin.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten years after the Moravian club won their first Extraliga
title, PSG Zlín reclaimed the Czech crown in style, mauling Kometa Brno in the
2014 Final. Captain <b>Petr Čajanek</b> lifted the Masaryk Cup to the delight of the
Zimni Stadion Ludka Čajky, and capped what was a majestic year for the team
that plays in blue and yellow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is perhaps unsurprising given Zlín’s devotion to
developing home-grown talent, that only a few players have left the club during
the summer months, and most have moved on to better leagues. Antonin Honejsek
has earned himself a contract in Finland, whilst the New York Rangers signed
young defenceman Petr Zámorský, who at 22 years of age, made his World
Championship debut for the Czech Republic this year. Zlín moved quickly,
penning a deal with veteran defenceman <b>Tomáš Žižka</b>. The 34 year old former
NHLer has consistently been one of the top two way defencemen in the Czech
Republic for a number of years. Radim Tešařík, after three seasons with Zlín,
retires from the game on a high after winning his fifth Extraliga title.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jiří Marušák</b> will therefore anchor the defence, and his
veteran presence will be necessary to help the next generation of Zlín
blueliners. <b>Martin Matějiček</b>, <b>Dalibor Řezníček</b>, <b>Patrik Urbanec</b> and <b>Tomáš
Valenta </b>are all in their early twenties and have the potential to form a true
dynasty of Czech hockey. What makes it all the more special, and what makes
Zlín such a likeable club, is that all of these defencemen are from the Zlín
region and most were products of Zlín’s youth system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also a Zlín junior, <b>Libor Kašík</b> was voted the Czech
Extraliga’s best goaltender after posting a 93.6 save percentage in the regular
season, which he almost matched in the playoffs. The 22 year old goaltender,
who had only played a handful of senior games before last season, truly shone
in his first full senior season. Like Plzeň’s Matěj Machovský, Kašík may suffer
a sophomore slump, but the ever reliable <b>Luboš Horčička</b> is arguably the
Extraliga’s best backup goaltender. People thought Zlín would be in trouble
following the departure of Jakub Sedláček to the KHL, but in Kašík, they may
have uncovered an even better goaltender.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmy20UfR1zVsth0j-t5x75JgJAQDTZKa0cA4hupa4MrF0DYlKgljSnYwH5D6USph7sm3jgGgARJymyuOVSPsOVSSVED1hvDo8TQD2Vzy2eRa_paWmrHjuAh4_xxWsLn1Bz0lwOlC9r-Oo/s1600/Libor+Kasik+Pavel+Hrabovsk%C3%BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmy20UfR1zVsth0j-t5x75JgJAQDTZKa0cA4hupa4MrF0DYlKgljSnYwH5D6USph7sm3jgGgARJymyuOVSPsOVSSVED1hvDo8TQD2Vzy2eRa_paWmrHjuAh4_xxWsLn1Bz0lwOlC9r-Oo/s1600/Libor+Kasik+Pavel+Hrabovsk%C3%BD.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libor Kašík was voted the Extraliga's best goaltender last season<br />
Photo: Pavel Hrabovský, hokej.zlin.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up front, what would a Zlín team be without <b>Petr Leška</b> and
<b>Jaroslav Balaštík</b>. Now 38 and 34 respectively, these two have been the first
names on Zlín’s team sheet for nearly a decade, bar Balaštík’s sabbatical with
Mláda Boleslav. Leška, who continues to top 40 points each season, is the true
face of Zlín hockey, and while the goal scoring touch is starting to leave him,
he is still one of the premier playmakers in the Czech Republic. Petr Čajanek
returns, and last season’s top playoff scorer has finally become the Extraliga
player Zlín needed him to be following his return from the KHL in 2011. <b>Ondřej
Veselý</b>, <b>Petr Holík</b> and <b>Bedřich Köhler</b> provide an ample secondary scoring touch,
while the signing of <b>Roman Vlach</b>, the son of head coach Rostislav Vlach from
Karlovy Vary should easily cover the goals lost by the departure of Honejsek. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, I don’t think Zlín will be able to consistently
win enough games to finish top of the regular season table, but I think they
have an incredibly good chance, come playoff time, to challenge for the repeat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Petr Holík (Forward. Last season: 51GP 7+16
-4)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Now 22 years of age, Holík may be small in stature, but his
high skill level certainly makes up for any deficit in height. The Zlín native
dropped off slightly following his 35 point 2012/13 season, but still tallied
23 points and made his Czech senior debut in the Euro Hockey Tour. If paired
with sharpshooter Roman Vlach, look for Holík to be pushing 30, if not 40
points this season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position</b>: 3rd<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer:</b> Petr Leška<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Petr Leška<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HC Pardubice – Charging up the table</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 7th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer:</b> Tomáš Nosek (21yo, 52GP, 19+25
+44)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Július Hudáček (28GP 2.39GAA
92.3%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What has gone wrong at Pardubice? The 2012 Extraliga
champions have been simply awful in the last two seasons, and it’s up to head
coach Zdeněk Venera to turn the tide and make Pardubice championship contenders
once again. It has been a rough few seasons for Pardubice in the transfer
market, as the likes of Petr Koukal, both Jan Kolářs and Robert Kousal have all
been snapped up by KHL teams, and it has happened again this offseason. Last
season’s top scorer Tomáš Nosek, still only 21 years of age, has been signed by
the Detroit Red Wings after going undrafted in the last few seasons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunZkgfB6Od77OS5l3EtDhdipwnvV-WrgEzEJeEy3Sx79tEsyJgVxcPZg_x4llYOtAGlIVz-9l4Go1c8P1JeSZW1VDETYpWlmMgdJUWji5rCBQUgY9wFm0BQZOEU6mCy9RlF2mY9ViCujm/s1600/Halasz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunZkgfB6Od77OS5l3EtDhdipwnvV-WrgEzEJeEy3Sx79tEsyJgVxcPZg_x4llYOtAGlIVz-9l4Go1c8P1JeSZW1VDETYpWlmMgdJUWji5rCBQUgY9wFm0BQZOEU6mCy9RlF2mY9ViCujm/s1600/Halasz.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomáš Halasz has big skates to fill at Pardubice<br />
Photo: hcpce.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, Nosek is the only big time player to be leaving
Pardubice, as they have managed to retain a strong core of young forwards now
entering their prime. <b>Lukáš Radil</b>, <b>Tomáš Zohorna </b>and <b>Radoslav Tybor </b>are three
great players to build around, whilst retaining the services of (forward) <b>Jan
Kolář</b> was vital after the 33 year old failed to crack the KHL. <b>Radovan Somík</b>
also remains, now entering his 8th season with Pardubice. Look for Radil to
continue his development into one of the leading scorers in the Extraliga, as
the 24 year old tallied 32 points and earned his Czech Republic national team
debut last season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tomáš Marcinko</b> is Pardubice’s big money forward signing,
with the Slovak national team forward, who played at the Olympics, joining the
club to provide a solid two way centre who works hard at both ends of the ice.
Pardubice don’t need Marcinko to be a 30 goal scorer, they simply need him to
be a solid pivot, which Pardubice have somewhat lacked over recent years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pardubice will go into the 2014/15 with a brand new tandem
in goal though, as <b>Tomáš Halasz</b> and Slovene national team goaltender <b>Robert
Kristan </b>join from Olomouc and Nitra respectively. Halasz, who helped Olomouc
gain Extraliga promotion last season, has already impressed in a Pardubice
jersey, especially after his miraculous performance in the Champions Hockey
League against Linkoping. Kristan, the
definition of a journeyman joins after a very solid season with Nitra in
Slovakia. This new look tandem should certainly do better than the trio of
Hudáček, Salfický and Martin Růžíčka. The latter, who backstopped Pardubice to
the 2012 title, will look for pastures new following his release after over a
decade with his home-town club.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think the losses of Jiří Vašiček and Marek Ďaloga will be a big blow to Pardubice’s blueline,
but with <b>Aleš Píša</b>, <b>Václav Kočí</b>, <b>Václav Benák</b> and <b>Blaz Gregorc</b> returning, the
Bohemian side should still be in good hands, and that’s before we even mention
the return of one of Pardubice’s favourite sons, <b>Petr Čáslava.</b> The 34 year old
defenceman has spent the last four seasons in the KHL, and returns after a
pretty poor season captaining Severstal Cherepovets. The mammoth blueliner will
not only be a rock on the blueline but will add some necessary scoring on the
powerplay<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Radoslav Tybor (Last season: 44GP 16+8 +11)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ7G2hrSc3jtHKZai1OYeaNMsk0A5RHQEwPz26PjC7rzOiPbHMSi-jO0BUbEa-EG53Z6rKjX9mMSkotKE1W6HbNzXI-fHrp8Nq38_IRp2yH8LKNhCpZscGQnpM_5Q4j-A8mTuTzJ0P0vq/s1600/Rastislav+Tybor+Vladimir+%C5%A0korp%C3%ADk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ7G2hrSc3jtHKZai1OYeaNMsk0A5RHQEwPz26PjC7rzOiPbHMSi-jO0BUbEa-EG53Z6rKjX9mMSkotKE1W6HbNzXI-fHrp8Nq38_IRp2yH8LKNhCpZscGQnpM_5Q4j-A8mTuTzJ0P0vq/s1600/Rastislav+Tybor+Vladimir+%C5%A0korp%C3%ADk.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak forward Radoslav Tybor. One to watch<br />
Photo: hcpce.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 24 years of age, Radoslav Tybor will enter into his
second full season with Pardubice, and the Slovak forward who earned a spot on
the World Championships team this year will look to improve as he carves out a
niche as one of the Extraliga’s most feared snipers. The Trenčín native brings
speed along with his deadly accurate shot, as Linkoping found out in the CHL. I
think he’ll break 20 goals this season if he stays injury free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 4th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> Lukáš Radil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP</b>: Petr Čáslava<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HC Kometa Brno – Ensuring stability</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season</b>: 6th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Vojtěch Němec (28yo, 50GP, 20+18
+6)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Marek Čiliak (36GP 2.14GAA
91.3%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The team from the Czech second city has come a long way in
the past five years. Replacing Znojmo who sold their Extraliga licence in 2009,
Kometa have been the one team in recent memory which has come up from the
1.liga and truly shown itself to be competitive. Kometa have made it to the
Extraliga final twice in the past three seasons, but have fallen both times at
the final hurdle. It has been agony for some of the most passionate fans in the
Czech Republic, but a sign of how far hockey in Brno has progressed over the
past decade.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke8YKnhk25YS40bRX-RYj17ZKdvJMOUMvjwtkK8tLFn__9tBuFFUxt7uyq2SNgeitGDMJNbqGqrJDCFCBsOshCGFH2C8q-DzGtqLEwFdpN8i-i_bS2MxUxmOBKUg7dDR0arWAMFQ3-Nkw/s1600/Vincour+Vladimir+Kol%C3%A1%C4%8Dek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke8YKnhk25YS40bRX-RYj17ZKdvJMOUMvjwtkK8tLFn__9tBuFFUxt7uyq2SNgeitGDMJNbqGqrJDCFCBsOshCGFH2C8q-DzGtqLEwFdpN8i-i_bS2MxUxmOBKUg7dDR0arWAMFQ3-Nkw/s1600/Vincour+Vladimir+Kol%C3%A1%C4%8Dek.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brno's home-town hero in pre-season<br />
Photo: Vladimir Koláček, hc-kometa.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last season saw Kometa lose in the final to Zlín, once again
beating Sparta Praha on their march through the playoffs after finishing in 6th
place. It was a strange season, as while Kometa’s big names really struggled to
find any sort of scoring form, a number of players had their breakout seasons.
Most notably, <b>Vojtěch Němec</b>, who at 28 years of age, had previously only
managed to score 8 points in a season. However, the Češka Lipa native, more
accustomed to spending time in the 1.liga, truly shone scoring 38 points as
well as a further 14 in the playoffs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alongside Němec was <b>Vilem Burian</b>, who was also another
1.liga regular before tallying 21 points last season. Up front, Kometa have one
of the deepest forward line-ups on paper, as <b>Tomáš Svoboda</b> and <b>Jan Hruška</b> have
provided ample secondary scoring to the likes of <b>Jakub Svoboda</b> and <b>Hýnek
Zohorna </b>over recent years. Last season was one to forget for the latter two
forwards, as Svoboda only managed 25 games in an injury plagued season, whilst
Zohorna could only muster 13 points last season. If Svoboda and Zohorna can
turn things around, Kometa may be on to a winner, and that is even before we
have discussed Kometa’s two big money summer signings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAklxEvbxEGIPecXSXfqzD5hBKToEr9uUsq7nYsUimSH4-SQdW8C77AaqjeZrxZVpoD7ijFRlVzmJXLdZFWfG0RQsMzC6Eiuujws743BcjpYzZ0UMaaDaXkoOznXhRP0rh2NNdig9houSR/s1600/Petr+Ton+Kolacek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAklxEvbxEGIPecXSXfqzD5hBKToEr9uUsq7nYsUimSH4-SQdW8C77AaqjeZrxZVpoD7ijFRlVzmJXLdZFWfG0RQsMzC6Eiuujws743BcjpYzZ0UMaaDaXkoOznXhRP0rh2NNdig9houSR/s1600/Petr+Ton+Kolacek.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petr Ton crashes to the ice during the Rona Cup<br />
Photo: Vladimir Koláček, hckometa.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly, following his bust up with head coach Josef Jandáč,
where the Sparta coach benched his top scorer in Game 7 of the playoff semi-finals,
<b>Petr Ton</b> has added insult to injury by joining Kometa Brno. Ton, who was the
Extraliga’s top scorer after racking up a massive 67 points in 50 games last
season, will fit right in on Kometa’s top line, alongside other new signing
<b>Tomáš Vincour</b>. The native Brňák struggled to match the high expectations placed
on him at Ak Bars Kazan last season, and leaves the KHL to sign for his
hometown team. If he stays for the whole season (he has KHL and NHL out clauses
in his contract), look for Vincour to be top of the scoring charts. Vincour
scored three goals for Kometa as they romped to victory in the Rona Cup in
Slovakia a few weeks ago. The team scored fifteen goals in three games to take
home the famous pre-season tournament. Most recently, a 2-2 draw with Slovan
Bratislava certainly highlights Kometa’s credentials.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kometa’s forward line-up is as good as any in the Extraliga,
but unfortunately, their defence just does not stack up to the other top
contenders. Tomáš Žižka has moved to Zlín but has been replaced by <b>Františk
Ptáček</b>, and while<b> Jozef Kováčík</b> and <b>Petr Kuboš</b> provide a strong back line, it
just lacks the defensive quality needed to lift the Extraliga title. Another
area where Kometa will falter will be in goal, and not just because they have
<b>Martin Falter</b>. <b>Marek Čiliak</b> was the starter last season, and a 91.3 save
percentage will simply not cut it if Kometa want to raise the Masaryk Trophy.
At 24 years of age, it is a make or break season for the Slovak netminder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Michal Kempný (Defenceman. Last season:
51GP 7+8 +10)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 23 years of age, Kempný, in my opinion, is one of the
elite offensive defencemen in the Czech Extraliga. I saw a lot of him during
his loan spell with Slavia in 2012/13, and in all honesty he impressed me more
than Petr Kadlec, and his booming shot is a vital asset on the powerplay. With
the added firepower Kometa have added up front, look for Kempný’s point totals
to increase further.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position</b>: 5th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer</b>: Petr Ton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Tomáš Vincour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HC Škoda Plzeň – The rebuild continues</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season</b>: 3rd<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer:</b> Radek Duda (35yo, 47GP 17+24 +6)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Matěj Machovský (36GP 1.67GAA
93.6%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJxcsdW7bGKDa5vC3QLwdssI1lIpJGVoaNCiHIpexPXJ_YzQ9HZ03BCX7zsO8YB9SBcYaIOkRRDSOZYJCAVAVdqYw8IyNTuCJTNxGkuHnhiwVeOf4Wj6PT8rw31bniigqZo6zN1ypYG7C/s1600/Jozef+Balej+Milan+Podpera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJxcsdW7bGKDa5vC3QLwdssI1lIpJGVoaNCiHIpexPXJ_YzQ9HZ03BCX7zsO8YB9SBcYaIOkRRDSOZYJCAVAVdqYw8IyNTuCJTNxGkuHnhiwVeOf4Wj6PT8rw31bniigqZo6zN1ypYG7C/s1600/Jozef+Balej+Milan+Podpera.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jozef Balej powers away in pre-season<br />
Photo: Milan Podpera, hcskoda.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of teams each year notice a significant drop off in
performance in the Czech Extraliga. Last season, Litvínov fell from 6th to
11th, while Kladno were 7th placed finishes in 2012/13, before being relegated
last season. Plzeň, who were champions in 2013, had a strong season in 2013/14,
finishing in 3rd place with an aging roster. Head coach Milan Razym, who won
the Extraliga in his first season with Plzeň, has a lot of work to do to
prevent what I predict will be a tougher season this time round.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is definitely a case of out with the old and in with
the...still quite old. Radek Duda, Martin Straka and Tomáš Vlasák have all left
the club in one way or another this summer, with 37 year old defenceman <b>Petr
Kadlec</b> being one of the Plzeň’s major summer acquisitions. Kadlec has over
1,000 games to his credit with Slavia Praha before leaving in June. The signing
of <b>Lukáš Pulpan</b> from Chomutov may also turn out to be a shrewd piece of
business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the wake of these losses, Plzeň’s forward line up looks
decidedly weakened. The elder statesmen, <b>Václav Pletka</b> and <b>Ondřej Kratena</b>
remain after positive seasons for both, but at 35 and 37 years of age
respectively, one might assume their performance will start to wane.<b> Pavel
Kašpařík</b> and <b>Tomáš Sýkora </b>are also entering the twilight of their careers, but
may still have one or two good seasons left in them. Additionally, the defence
has taken a blow, as Tomáš Frolo, Tomáš Slovak and Jiří Hanzlík have all left,
leaving Kadlec as the only defenceman over the age of 30.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xKph_1Hx-PnGkMVm7xOB4QPCZuNkDwtADib4mhcrpEzrgEtEzNft5glSycdXVat6bj2mTZYKqbOENRou-cDef2Lb38EFQ1BewG113taBiZ4ircAnC6IX2OUP43Myz3DT27aW5M2gYWuV/s1600/Preseason+win+over+Nurnburg+Vaclav+Samek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xKph_1Hx-PnGkMVm7xOB4QPCZuNkDwtADib4mhcrpEzrgEtEzNft5glSycdXVat6bj2mTZYKqbOENRou-cDef2Lb38EFQ1BewG113taBiZ4ircAnC6IX2OUP43Myz3DT27aW5M2gYWuV/s1600/Preseason+win+over+Nurnburg+Vaclav+Samek.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plzeň celebrate a victory over Nurnburg in pre-season<br />
Photo: Milan Podpera, hcskoda.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Razym has worked to add immediate replacements, bringing
back <b>Nick Johnson</b> who impressed in his first spell with the club, as well as
veteran Slovak forward <b>Jozef Balej</b>, but the bulk of recruitment has been
focused on younger players. <b>Dominík Kubalik</b> and <b>Matěj Beran</b> both join Plzeň
upon completion of their Major Junior careers, whilst the signing of former
Sparta Praha forward <b>Dominík Simon,</b> who scored a beautiful penalty shot at the
2014 World Junior Championships to beat Canada, may turn out to be one of the
signings of the season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The true wildcard in Plzeň’s lineup will be 21 year old
goaltender <b>Matěj Machovský</b>. The Opava native joined Plzeň after a three year
spell with the Brampton Battalion in the OHL, and in his debut season in the
Extraliga was simply faultless, finishing the season with the Extraliga’s top
save percentage. Machovský backed up Patrik Bartošák at the 2013 World Juniors
in Ufa, but took to the Extraliga like a duck to water. I think Machovský will
struggle to replicate his numbers from 2013/14, and with <b>Lukáš Mensator</b> as his
backup, any poor form will have direct consequences on the team’s result. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Dominík Simon (Forward. Last season – Sparta
Praha: 47GP 7+4 +5)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Simon is one of a number of young, exciting Czech forwards who
have somewhat gone under the radar but look set to have great European careers.
The 20-year old Prague native, a product of the Sparta system, has represented
the Czech Republic at every youth level, and was the second top scorer for the
Czech Republic at the 2014 World Juniors with 4 points in 5 games. Most
notably, he scored this to beat Canada at the 2014 World Junior Championships</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfWFYCC4cl8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watch for Simon to be one of the breakout stars in the
Extraliga this season if he can get quickly accustomed to Milan Razym’s system.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 6th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> Vacláv Pletka<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP</b>: Matěj Machovský<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HK Hradec Králové – Sophomore Slump</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 5th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top point scorer</b>: Jiří Šimánek (35yo, 47GP
25+17 +19)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last seaon’s top goaltender</b>: Pavel Kantor (45GP 1.80GAA
92.4%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEULlBnSbT2xJMOwl2stPjc_bOIb4NZw1GHW30__WwDh3jxC3Xd7HCfEUEAgRBSlWnYJ8kpAhZieMnCW3gbwG60igxZdcA-PATMtEgdH33Z11ZTtUACyePIZpgTR5b3IJ2D5yiIeJvPQ_/s1600/Rastislav+De+stanislav+sou%C4%8Dek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEULlBnSbT2xJMOwl2stPjc_bOIb4NZw1GHW30__WwDh3jxC3Xd7HCfEUEAgRBSlWnYJ8kpAhZieMnCW3gbwG60igxZdcA-PATMtEgdH33Z11ZTtUACyePIZpgTR5b3IJ2D5yiIeJvPQ_/s1600/Rastislav+De+stanislav+sou%C4%8Dek.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rastislav Dej made the move from Karlovy Vary last summer<br />
Photo: Stanislav Souček, hkmountfield.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The MOUNTFIELD franchise upped sticks in summer last year,
moving their franchise from Češke Budějovice to Hradec Králové in the wake of
financial issues. While it left a void of hockey in CB, which thankfully was
replaced by the Motor franchise, for HK it was a great move for a city which
has been looking for top level hockey for a number of years. Last season’s
fifth placed finish was a remarkable achievement, helped by an incredible
defensive effort which saw the side have the second best defensive record in
the Extraliga last season. A quarter-final loss against eventual champions PSG
Zlín was unfortunate, with Zlín winning three of these games in overtime. In
fact, HK went to overtime 17 times in the regular season alone in 2013/14. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Captain <b>Jiří Šimánek</b> was the symbol of HC MOUNTFIELD’s
resurgence last season, and showed what a fresh start can do, as the 35 year old veteran
centre scored 42 points and earned himself a spot back in the Czech Republic
national team after an absence of three years. <b>Jaroslav Kudrna</b> also turned back
the years last season, scoring 34 points in just 35 games after a disappointing
year in Liberec last season. Both Šimánek and Kudrna return and are joined by
new summer signings <b>Dávid Skokan</b> and <b>Roman Kukumberg</b>. Skokan impressed last
season for Slavia, scoring 18 points and being a reliable two way player, and
Kukumberg joins HK after a three year spell with Slovan Bratislava, two of
those being in the KHL. However, behind these four and <b>Tomáš Mertl</b>, I think HK
are a little light up front. <b>Rastislav Dej</b> is a solid two way player, but is
never going to be troubling the top points scorers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3daGUaGvBt5zejgGpzpwo5iftjuL72uu5sXewBtJXXpLbUXpiwF8dptUYoYSH9TRBUKCwnhvJqiTMVe_tmyx3q4Mw5d5_y0B6xbfBpZPoMT_Nb4gm_0pEx7iPxRUrIr3S2dOcisLHTUE9/s1600/Vydraeny+stanislav+sou%C4%8Dek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3daGUaGvBt5zejgGpzpwo5iftjuL72uu5sXewBtJXXpLbUXpiwF8dptUYoYSH9TRBUKCwnhvJqiTMVe_tmyx3q4Mw5d5_y0B6xbfBpZPoMT_Nb4gm_0pEx7iPxRUrIr3S2dOcisLHTUE9/s1600/Vydraeny+stanislav+sou%C4%8Dek.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak NT regular René Vydarený impressed last season<br />
Photo: Stanislav Souček, mountfieldhk.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore, it is integral that HK continue playing their
defensive brand of hockey instilled by coach Peter Draisatl, father of 2014 NHL
Draft first rounder Leon. The Slovak trio of <b>Peter Frühauf</b>, <b>Peter Mikuš</b> and
<b>René Vydarený</b> were in top form last season, providing a solid backbone to which
protect <b>Pavel Kantor</b>. The 23-year old was tasked with replacing Jakub Kovář in
the CB net, but looked out of his depth in 2012/13. However, with a solid
defence in front of him, Kantor looked every bit the Extraliga starter many
predicted him to be from his days in the Češke Budějovice system. HK have also
made strides to make their defence even better. <b>Tomáš Slovak</b> joins from Plzeň,
along with <b>Jiří Vašíček</b>, who in my opinion is one of the premier two way
defencemen in the country. Completing HK’s top six is <b>Bohumil Jank,</b> one of the
best young Czech defencemen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With only two wins out of five in pre-season, I think that
on paper Hradec Králové have strengthened, but I can see them just falling
short of last year’s standards. I think they lack depth up front, and are relying
on players who perhaps overachieved last year. They will still make the
playoffs, but will have to go through the play-ins<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Bohumil Jank (Defenceman. Last season: 24GP
1+2 +1)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jank is not one to watch in terms of excitement, as the 22
year old blueliner plays a no-nonsense defensive brand of hockey. However the
Milevsko native brought through the CB system has represented his country at
every junior age level and his great performances last season were rewarded with
his senior team debut in the Euro Hockey Tour. Standing at 6’2’’, Jank is the
sort of defenceman that teams win with, and he is only going to get better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 7th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> Jiří Šimánek<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> René Vydarený<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-59625782988070206082014-08-20T02:21:00.003-07:002014-09-02T03:27:11.687-07:00Extraliga Preview Part One: Tough seasons ahead<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>We are now under a month away until the puck drops for the
2014/15 Czech Extraliga season, and with most team’s transfer business
completed, what better time to offer a comprehensive preview of the coming
year. With two new teams and a host of new faces, it is sure to be one of the
best seasons yet.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Slavia Praha – How
to solve a problem like Lubina?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>Last season:</b> 10th<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>Last season’s top
scorer</b>: Jaroslav Bednář (37yo, 47GP 12+27 +12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>Last season’s top
goaltender: </b>Dominík Furch (48GP 2.37GAA 91.5%)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBmE4D0DEQ-ZUQjA_Df9AH2dYcPMQgz5kFQkGNNeq_hlVE0hSXlutzBMOlDajt7kAjCM2Ms35qi0mtilMn6KgWls1AMFwgZk6_2khv3-Np77J3ENaD1KY9kK6IEInEbcHBmti2l7muJf8/s1600/Furch+martin+prokop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBmE4D0DEQ-ZUQjA_Df9AH2dYcPMQgz5kFQkGNNeq_hlVE0hSXlutzBMOlDajt7kAjCM2Ms35qi0mtilMn6KgWls1AMFwgZk6_2khv3-Np77J3ENaD1KY9kK6IEInEbcHBmti2l7muJf8/s1600/Furch+martin+prokop.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slavia will need a stellar season from Dominík Furch<br />
Photo: Martin Prokop, hc-slavia.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="CS">Backroom drama is
nothing new to Slavia Praha. The recent ownership debacle looks to have sorted
out as Vladimír Pitter seems to be a stabilising force, however, the infighting
has taken its toll. Legendary head coach Vladimír Růžička has left the club,
taking up the post as Czech Republic head coach full time. A host of other
players have left, including defenceman and captain Petr Kadlec, who had played
over 1000 games for Slavia. Vladimír Růžička jr., David Skokan, Petr Jelínek,
Lukáš Žejdl and Lukáš Krenželok have also left for other teams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS">I won’t make any
apologies for being a Slavia fan, and although I can see that there are many
holes to fill on the roster, I have a sneaky suspicion that Slavia will better
last year’s performance which saw them lose to Pardubice in the play-ins. In
goal, <b>Dominík Furch</b> enters his second season as an out and out starter since
Miroslav Kopřiva’s departure. Furch, who has been playing with the senior
Slavia team since he was 16, has a wealth of experience and I think can better
last year’s save percentage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS">Petr Kadlec may
have gone and Pavel Kolářik is nearly out of the door, but in new captain <b>David
Štich</b> and the resurgent 6’8¨ giant <b>Juraj Valach</b>, Slavia have two of the
breakout defencemen from last season’s Extraliga. Valach had 22 points and
anchored Slavia’s powerplay, and if the Slovak blueliner can get close to that
total this season, it will go a long way to replacing Kadlec’s production.
Returning to Slavia after a year on loan with Třinec, <b>Daniel Krejči</b> is one of
the best young defencemen in the country, and I can see him racking up big
minutes. Slavia’s defence has been on fire in pre-season so far, as they have
won all seven games, including three shutouts. Three of these victories have
come against KHL teams, whilst Slavia also were victorious in the Hockeyades
tournament in Switzerland, where Slavia beat Geneve-Servette and Fribourg
Gotteron. Furch has been in inspired form, picking up three shutouts along the
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRuaqn8sqF77BG6VktEqUXYiU3kRhRskGVZerTv00JXmFOk6ZzDWiGrvI9W1MUJbHnIBGdGoaJBlIN-_rdLordJXcD34QDzZULK2TCp4f9gRhSmIMUB9KWXVtqfrjqnIM74KaKrolhr01/s1600/Bednar+Martin+Tellinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRuaqn8sqF77BG6VktEqUXYiU3kRhRskGVZerTv00JXmFOk6ZzDWiGrvI9W1MUJbHnIBGdGoaJBlIN-_rdLordJXcD34QDzZULK2TCp4f9gRhSmIMUB9KWXVtqfrjqnIM74KaKrolhr01/s1600/Bednar+Martin+Tellinger.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">48 points at 39 years of age, Bednář will be the go to guy once again for Slavia<br />
Photo: Martin Tellinger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="CS">Up front, Slavia
have a massive task ahead to replace the loss of four quality Extraliga
forwards. <b>Tomáš Vlasák</b> is the marquee signing, as the 39 year old joins after 7
successful seasons with Plze</span>ň. Reuniting the successful Tomica – Bednář –
Vlasák line will pay dividends for Slavia, while new signings <b>Janos Vas </b>and
<b>Erik Weissmann</b> will hopefully replace some of the goals lost. <b>Jaroslav Bednář</b>’s first
full season with Slavia since 2008/09 highlighted just how good of a player he
is, as his 48 points were invaluable to the club. Bednář is the definition of a
franchise forward, able to play both on the powerplay and penalty kill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Vladimír Růžička jr’s tryout at Dinamo Riga being
unsuccessful it remains to be seen if he will return to the club he’s played
his whole career at so far. Slavia will be reliant on a number of youth team
graduates taking on a greater role this coming season. <b>Michal Poletín</b>, <b>Pavel
Klhůfek</b> and <b>Daniel Vrdlovec</b> can all contribute at the Extraliga level and will
need to for Slavia to be successful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slavia’s preseason has been clouded by the protests by the
fanclub over the appointment of Ladislav Lubina as head coach. Banners
proclaiming ‘Lubina Ven’ (Lubina out) have been present at Slavia games and a
petition containing nearly 1000 signatures is currently being shared online. I
think that on the ice, Slavia have a great looking team full of promising young
players. If they can for once sort out things behind the scenes, who knows,
maybe they can spring a shock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Daniel Krejčí (Defenceman. Last season:
45GP 3+8 -1)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think Krejčí is one of the best young defencemen in the
Extraliga at the moment. The 22 year old impressed last season after being
loaned out to Třinec and returns to his parent club with the expectation that
he will be playing big minutes. Standing 6’3’’, Krejčí can use his size to his
advantage and has above average skating which makes him a solid contributor at
both ends of the ice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>Predictions:</b></span><br />
<b>Position: </b>8th</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>Top Scorer: </b>Jaroslav
Bednář<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CS"><b>MVP: </b>Jaroslav
Bednář</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bílí Tygři Liberec – The Post-Nedvěd era</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 9th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer: </b>Petr Nedvěd (42yo, 49GP 19+31 -3)<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Marcel Melicherčík (30GP
2.59GAA 90.9%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-8Lis_zQLeyuRNirzNfTF_U0RSbBrN5UgWCy5RneHJOj82xGBAIOwGMIzK9Iyjvms0WW4pbIl018bEqSpwkbmxvHpTUzVhyCMa08A0VpZ8d4ds6sVCOjTVbIX91S2cGmpY1_2WsXwCu8/s1600/Tomas+Urban+Jiri+Princ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-8Lis_zQLeyuRNirzNfTF_U0RSbBrN5UgWCy5RneHJOj82xGBAIOwGMIzK9Iyjvms0WW4pbIl018bEqSpwkbmxvHpTUzVhyCMa08A0VpZ8d4ds6sVCOjTVbIX91S2cGmpY1_2WsXwCu8/s1600/Tomas+Urban+Jiri+Princ.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberec are still yet to taste Extraliga glory<br />
Photo: Jiří Princ, hcbilitygri.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One man does not make a team, but Petr Nedvěd’s ¨retirement¨
sees a huge hole opened in the Liberec roster. The veteran forward was Liberec’s
top scoring forward for five years in a row, and has been the heart and soul of
the White Tigers for a number of years, sadly though, he was unable to deliver
an Extraliga title, and for the last couple of seasons Liberec have really gone
downhill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So who is going to replace Nedvěd? Well, it looks like it’s going
to be more of a group effort than anything. It was key for Liberec to keep hold
of <b>Martin Bartek</b>, whose 28 goals were the second most of any player in the
Extraliga last season, although, he did have the perfect set up man in Nedvěd.
Liberec raided Slavia for the pair of <b>Petr Jelínek</b> and <b>Lukáš Krenželok</b>, and
while both will be good for 20 points or so, they are at best second liners and
will struggle to have the game-breaking impact Nedvěd had. Liberec will be
hoping that in his second full season with the club, <b>Petr Vampola</b> will get more
than his 30 points last season, as Vampola has all the tools to be one of the
Extraliga’s top scorers. Furthermore, the three Tomáš‘ (<b>Urban</b>, <b>Filippi</b> and
<b>Bulík</b>) can be relied on to score points at the Extraliga, while young <b>Michal
Buliř</b> is continuing to grow into a solid second liner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much like Vitkovice, Liberec scored goals last year and will
continue to do so. However, defensively Liberec were all at sea last year,
conceding 155 goals in the regular season, more than relegated Kladno. So how
has this been rectified? Well, Jirí Hunkes, the core of the defensive unit, has
left for the new Extraliga central, Lada Togliatti. Hunkes was one of the
premier two-way defencemen in the Extraliga, and left a massive void. Liberec
picked up <b>Martin Skoula</b> who most recently played for Slovan, but having watched
many Slovan games over the last two years, I can’t really say that I rate the
former Minnesota Wild blueliner. The signing of <b>Michal Plutnar</b> from the CHL is
a solid pick up and he’ll get regular ice time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmnMceoDHAPIg2-0fFFpHQyH_LVr-Ao5RT8Of0sUQEqhq10JrBSFZnCTrqsnNOWwT73uFHIq4Ma_RoODEPW1IbnB_vN2CJXyX4TxYoY2OVVjisxiiW22iShCOnKTRvsPoDsuKiAZtSVXe/s1600/jan+vystk+jiri+prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmnMceoDHAPIg2-0fFFpHQyH_LVr-Ao5RT8Of0sUQEqhq10JrBSFZnCTrqsnNOWwT73uFHIq4Ma_RoODEPW1IbnB_vN2CJXyX4TxYoY2OVVjisxiiW22iShCOnKTRvsPoDsuKiAZtSVXe/s1600/jan+vystk+jiri+prince.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Bartek's goals will be crucial for the White Tigers<br />
Photo: Jiří Princ, hcbilitygri.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In goal, the Marek Schwarz experiment failed once more, and <b>Marcel
Melicherčík</b> tried admirably to provide a solid presence in goal, but it was a
smart deadline pick up by the White Tigers to sign veteran Slovak goaltender
<b>Ján Lašák</b>. The former Pardubice goalie who backstopped Slovakia to the 2002
World Championship goal was remarkable in his 8 games towards the back end of
last season, posting a 94.9% save percentage. He struggled in the playoffs and
these numbers are by no means sustainable. Liberec have struggled so far in
pre-season, winning only one of their five games, including a 6-2 spanking at
the hands of Třinec, which Lašák was between the pipes for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch – Tomáš Filippi (Forward. Last season – 38GP
11+10 -1)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of Liberec’s young forwards, I think Filippi has the
best potential. The speedy forward who can play both centre and wing scored
four goals at the WJC in 2012 and since returning from a two year spell in the
QMJHL has been a consistent scorer. Injuries restricted him to only 38 games
last year, but with a clean bill of health and a bigger role to play now that
Nedvěd has moved on, I think the 22 year old will break out and get close to 40
points this season. He needs to work on using his 6‘1‘‘ frame more to his
advantage, but Filippi is a name to remember, having made his Czech national
team debut this year in the Euro Hockey Tour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions</b><b>:</b><br />
<b>Position: </b>9th<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer: </b>Martin Bartek<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Petr Vampola<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>HC Vitkovice STEEL – Home isn’t where the heart is</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 8th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Ondřej Roman (25yo, 51GP 13+35
+12)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender: </b>Filip Šindelář (24GP 2.66GAA
91.3%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQh1mLhYW6jSZch8qvz3pco8VHy0MizQE6hakAWhTNWnJklNLXCxkRD4MThOmpLqqS6FYvcBbmOEskMolyt5sLWmvbaQtq1yOQBtXV_KHAgE7Pbwc13ixerNCtgZAovuq86pEsrXJJjFI/s1600/vit-kom070814-06Petr+Kostala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQh1mLhYW6jSZch8qvz3pco8VHy0MizQE6hakAWhTNWnJklNLXCxkRD4MThOmpLqqS6FYvcBbmOEskMolyt5sLWmvbaQtq1yOQBtXV_KHAgE7Pbwc13ixerNCtgZAovuq86pEsrXJJjFI/s1600/vit-kom070814-06Petr+Kostala.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Stehlík headlines a<br />
depleted defensive unit<br />
Photo: Petr Kotala, hc-vitkovice.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How does a team with the best away record in the Extraliga
finish in 10th place last season? Vitkovice, hailing from Ostrava, managed this
feat as they won only 12 games at the ČEZ Arena despite winning well over half
of their games on the road. Still, an eighth place finish was commendable and
they swept Liberec in the play-ins before losing to Sparta in the first round
of the playoffs. So why am I predicting them to finish in 10th and barely
scrape into the play-ins this season?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vitkovice have ended up losing half of their defensive core
this summer, leaving almost bare bones at the back. Karol Sloboda (Lada
Togliatti), Tomáš Kudělka (Pelicans) and Michal Barinka (Sparta) have all
departed, and the remaining unit anchored by veteran <b>Richard Stehlík</b> isn’t
exactly impressive. The signing of Slovak prospect <b>Peter Čerešňák</b> is a positive
step, but the 21 year old is not going to have an easy ride and will be thrust
into big minutes almost instantly. Vitkovice are an incredibly youthful team,
and it will be good to see the likes of <b>Jan Štencel</b>, <b>Marek Bail</b> and <b>Lukáš Klok</b>
following the departure of the three aforementioned defencemen. (Edit: Early in September, Vitkovice agreed a deal with Třinec for the transfer of <b>Lukáš Zib</b>. Now 37 years of age, Zib has been one of the best Extraliga defencemen in the last decade, and is a solid signing after the defensive losses Vitkovice have suffered this summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least the Ostravans have managed to keep a hold of all of
the top scoring forwards. Ever present captain <b>Jiří Burger</b> enters his 14th
season with the club, and the 37 year old centre shows no sign of slowing down,
coming off a 40 point season last year. Burger is a tireless worker at both
ends of the ice. <b>Ondřej Roman</b> has been a valuable addition since his return
from North America in 2012. The 25 year old top scored for Vitkovice with 48
points last season, but is known for his streakiness. Vitkovice have a fearsome
top six in all as <b>Vladimír Svačina</b>, <b>Rudolf Huna</b>, <b>Peter Huževka</b> and <b>Roman Szturc</b>
all impressed last season, making Vitkovice the third top goal scorers in the
Extraliga last season. Couple that with the addition of exciting prospect
<b>Patrik Zdráhal,</b> Vitkovice will score goals this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeaHqefWIQIsqqlyAPACNFi4v41eoSeHprfcz4pHFrBmCOJrvQpT7drTp_OuCBb2uCxGHmwu-dv-9SSER6QyC5FwoAcv4QLNBfcoirnkPRA_DXzqdWLmermINsl3jUYyta6dFDnMT3Kle/s1600/vandas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeaHqefWIQIsqqlyAPACNFi4v41eoSeHprfcz4pHFrBmCOJrvQpT7drTp_OuCBb2uCxGHmwu-dv-9SSER6QyC5FwoAcv4QLNBfcoirnkPRA_DXzqdWLmermINsl3jUYyta6dFDnMT3Kle/s1600/vandas.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak forward Michal Vandas scored 15 points in his<br />
debut season for Vitkovice.<br />
Photo: Petr Kotala, hc-vitkovice.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Goals were never Vitkovice’s problem. It was throwing away
leads and an average defensive record. The loss of their top three defenceman,
not only from a skill point of view, but also their experience, has not been
replaced at all. The likely starter in the cage for Vitkovice is <b>Filip Šindelář</b>,
who is more a backup than a starter in my opinion. He split most of last season
with <b>Daniel Dolejš</b>, who at 20 years old was back up for the Czech Republic at
the 2014 World Junior Championships. Dolejš featured 20 times for the Vitkovice
senior team last season, and a 91% save percentage was remarkably impressive
for his first taste of Extraliga action. I would not be surprised if Dolejš has
replaced Šindelář by starter as the end of the season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Erik Němec (Forward. Last season – 36GP 8+9
+6)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think Němec will be one of the breakout stars in the
Extraliga this season. The 20 year old centre is another product of the
Vitkovice system, and he impressed in his debut Extraliga season, especially in
the playoffs as he scored 6 points in 8 games. He has continued this in
pre-season, scoring one goal and assisting on three through six games.
Alongside other young forwards Lukáš Kucsera and Petr Kolouch, Němec could be a
mighty surprise for Vitkovice’s already strong looking offence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Predictions:</b><br />
<b>Position: </b>10th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer:</b> Ondřej Roman<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP:</b> Jiří Burger<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>HC Verva Litvinov – Searching for optimism</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Last season:</b> 11th<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Last season's top scorer:</b> Viktor Hübl (36yo, 46GP 14+24 -8)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender:</b> Pavel Francouz (48GP 2.02GAA 93.2%)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqngxgljizuzh4VBRRm0UmTBHPLcs8HWKPS8V9RBgyfSHW5nKRT2t4eMYozMNMg1tiMmYYJs4tjoQWEb1UuaavYGT-krmJIOr8SgsZLEvljeSWWUAwBdj0lZQJ4UAIt31aQCiJ9NQusOh/s1600/_DSC2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqngxgljizuzh4VBRRm0UmTBHPLcs8HWKPS8V9RBgyfSHW5nKRT2t4eMYozMNMg1tiMmYYJs4tjoQWEb1UuaavYGT-krmJIOr8SgsZLEvljeSWWUAwBdj0lZQJ4UAIt31aQCiJ9NQusOh/s1600/_DSC2680.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Radim Rulík turn around Litvínov's downward spiral?<br />
Photo: hokej-litvinov.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where to start with Litvínov? A consistently mid-table team
a few years ago, things have been bleak as of late. They have been featured the
relegation play-outs for the last few years, and in all honesty, things look as
bleak as the North Bohemian landscape they are situated in. The Czech Extraliga
has been a league for old men for a while, but Litvínov have taken the biscuit
in recent years. Last season’s roster featured former NHLers <b>Martin Ručinský</b>
and <b>Jiří Šlegr</b>, both now 43 years of age. Šlegr, had played five games in 3
years since ¨retiring¨ in 2010, but returned to play 28 games in the 2013/14
season. He’s back full time next season, although the whereabouts of Ručinský
are yet to be confirmed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Viktor Hübl</b> leads the charge, but at 36 years of age, his
career is starting to wind down. He is still a valuable first line centre, but
will need more help from his teammates if Litvinov want to return to the
playoffs. If there is a crumb of comfort, it is that Litvinov had many players
who underachieved last season compared to their 2012/13 efforts. <b>Juraj Majdan</b>,
the speedy 22 year old Slovak, went the whole 2013/14 goalless after posting 31
points in 48 games the year before. Majdan returned to form in the relegation
playoffs, scoring six times in six games.<b> František Lukeš</b> followed up his 54
point season in 12/13 with a paltry 23 points. Litvínov have players who have a
proven track record in the Extraliga, and if they put it together then they
will do well. However, behind these three, <b>Robin Hanzl</b> will score points, but
there is very little in the way of secondary scoring on the roster. Litvínov
will also be hoping that former KHL and SHL forward <b>Kamil Piroš </b>will finally bring his scoring touch to
the Extraliga. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT2b2OB3uoCxbdc9qJ5logJ03P6gGjlnIWM7PjtEwBRuT_fyvWx9yD4rL7ESrBQqC9RfYRnAxQcwjXXm-XetK4XvaLugkmJ5MdqsngQnuVrt0u29hfsi38aSEFP3Ep7u6QNC_wKGe7sL-/s1600/_DSC0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT2b2OB3uoCxbdc9qJ5logJ03P6gGjlnIWM7PjtEwBRuT_fyvWx9yD4rL7ESrBQqC9RfYRnAxQcwjXXm-XetK4XvaLugkmJ5MdqsngQnuVrt0u29hfsi38aSEFP3Ep7u6QNC_wKGe7sL-/s1600/_DSC0618.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jiří Šlegr. The Nagano Gold Medalist will play his<br />
first full season since 2008/09, now 43 years of age<br />
Photo: hokej-litvinov.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Litvínov
desperately needed to bring in 1 or 2 scoring forwards this summer, but their
business has been somewhat disappointing. The addition of <b>Kamil Kubát</b> (Sparta)
to the blueline is a good pick up, but that is about it. There have been
rumours abound that both Ručinský and former Liberec forward Petr Nedvěd will
join the club before the start of the season, which would be a welcome boost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If
there is one area where Litvínov don’t need improvement, it is between the
pipes. They can count themselves very lucky that <b>Pavel Francouz </b>has decided to
sign on for another season, although I don’t think it is too long before KHL
clubs come sniffing for the 24 year old Plzeň native. His statistics are
remarkable for a goalie on an 11<sup>th</sup> placed team, and he is easily in
the upper echelons of Extraliga goaltenders. Francouz is the sort of goalie to
give his team a chance every game, but far too often Litvínov’s anaemic offence
let him down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Juraj Majdan (Forward. Last season – 41GP 0+3
-9)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a bit of a weird one, but I think that this season
is going to be Majdan’s year. It could just be that his 31 point season in
2012/13 was a flash in the pan, but the speedy winger is the most exciting
player on Litvínov’s roster, and I think his six goals in six playoff games
will the confidence boost that the Slovak forward needs going into the coming
season. Paired with Hübl, Majdan will score goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><br />
<b>Position: </b>11th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top scorer:</b> František Lukeš<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP</b>: Pavel Francouz<o:p></o:p><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>BK Mláda Boleslav – Safe for now</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season: </b>1.liga Champions<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer:</b> Tomáš Klimenta (30yo, 49GP 22+36
+39)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Michal Valent (31GP 1.66GAA
94.3%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEXEBxzCMyP92BDQLpmX_hpXFbgPx6ZTmBYQXtOnaAdam-o26u9vVbD5xgLFEuYfRymQtX3eORwP0PFAP9DzaplnxKhPTM6-6RHryhI8AurqRC77EaLeNUG3T3hN3XuxRHQ_49UqyE_eR/s1600/Jan+Pavl%C3%AD%C4%8Dek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEXEBxzCMyP92BDQLpmX_hpXFbgPx6ZTmBYQXtOnaAdam-o26u9vVbD5xgLFEuYfRymQtX3eORwP0PFAP9DzaplnxKhPTM6-6RHryhI8AurqRC77EaLeNUG3T3hN3XuxRHQ_49UqyE_eR/s1600/Jan+Pavl%C3%AD%C4%8Dek.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mláda Boleslav were a class above in the 1.liga<br />
Photo: Jan Pavlíček, bkboleslav.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I criticised Olomouc for their lack of signings, Mláda
Boleslav look to have learned from their last experience in the Extraliga,
which resulted in three painful years at the bottom of the table. Mláda
finished 19 points clear of Olomouc last season averaging nearly four goals
scored a game. The core of this was the front trio of <b>Tomáš Klimenta</b>, <b>David
Výborný </b>and<b> Michal Broš</b>, who all remain with the club going into their second
foray in the Extraliga. <b>Milan Toman</b>, who had 31 points in 41 games from the
blueline also remains, leaving Mláda a solid core on which to build on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Jaromir Balaštik experiment failed in 2011/12 for Mláda,
so it is good to see that this time round they have looked to invest in
promising younger talent rather than old veterans. The signings of promising
young Czech forwards <b>Tomáš Hýka</b> and <b>Dominík Pacovský</b> are a great coup for the
club, with Pacovský having a proven record with Sparta Praha before his season
spent with HC Lev Praha. Also joining Mláda this summer is former Třinec
forward <b>David Květoň,</b> which could arguably be their signing of the summer. He
will be looking to bounce back from a poor season which resulted in him scoring
19 points following his return from Finland.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTo-htTR6X6gA5_wi7q153v3qdB8_HTezboG6iIoyJ-bmQgMYEpSuZ_iTRMWG7PW_jsdbRKVzvhBxfKYp8KoOTGZpzQ3ftvwyjAlIhu-kv1b8iVr1CYQXwHHLVlygv2y6Uaa4v1hXI2P3/s1600/Lenc+Jan+Pavl%C3%AD%C4%8Dek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTo-htTR6X6gA5_wi7q153v3qdB8_HTezboG6iIoyJ-bmQgMYEpSuZ_iTRMWG7PW_jsdbRKVzvhBxfKYp8KoOTGZpzQ3ftvwyjAlIhu-kv1b8iVr1CYQXwHHLVlygv2y6Uaa4v1hXI2P3/s1600/Lenc+Jan+Pavl%C3%AD%C4%8Dek.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mláda have impressed so far in pre-season.<br />
Photo: Jan Pavlíček, bkboleslav.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ctirad Ovčačík</b> and <b>Michal Barta</b> will help bolster the
blueline, along with 23 year old defenceman <b>Matěj Stříteský</b> who joins from
Litvinov. <b>Mitja Robar</b>, who was part of the Slovene Olympic squad has also
joined the team from Krefeld in the DEL. Mláda are definitely built to score
goals rather than keep them out and I think their blueline unit will struggle.
However, I think they have enough firepower to keep them out of the relegation
playouts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Michal Valent</b> will have to be in top form though, and while
his statistics in 1.liga last season for Mláda were exemplary, the 28 year old
Slovak will be hoping that he can play a lot better than he did when he was
Mláda’s goalie in their last Extraliga stint. It remains to be seen whether or
not Valent will be the reliable goaltender that Mláda need to push on. This
perhaps explains the signing of Dukla Jihlava youngster<b> David Rittich</b>. After a
very solid season with the third best team in the 1.liga last season, Rittich
has been Mláda’s go to goalie in pre-season so far, and has picked up two
shutouts already. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Tomáš Hýka (Forward. Last season -
Färjestad: 40GP 4+5 -5)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above statline may not been impressive, but the 21 year
old Mláda Boleslav native returns to the Czech Republic following a very
successful junior career with Gatineau in the QMJHL. Hýka was almost signed to
an entry level contract following an impressive stint at the Philadelphia
Flyers, but elected to move to Sweden last season. Hýka is an offensive dynamo,
and his speed and scoring touch will be a welcome addition to Mláda’s ranks.
Out of any of the teams in the bottom half of the table, Mláda out of any have
the potential to surprise. However, I think their defence and goaltending will
see them scrapping it out towards the bottom of the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position</b>: 12th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer:</b> David Květoň<br />
<b>MVP:</b> David Výborný</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>HC Energie Karlovy Vary - Another season of struggles</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 12<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Martin Zaťovič (29yo, 50GP,
20+17 -1)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender</b>: Tomáš Závorka (52GP 2.52GAA
91.5%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gGt2j15qxgABhpS76S9HyumxPqdb4juJfPNopp-ifCJlTVrLZXSPgCawEXtUl3z3nTwjYf_tz-NBIjwsJB8aroxrD6Qf2i4nsABEB_JZWus4Rbw0kCebC9zqpohTkWOUxVB4tJKYbV6R/s1600/Kate%C5%99ina+Mace%C4%8Dkova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gGt2j15qxgABhpS76S9HyumxPqdb4juJfPNopp-ifCJlTVrLZXSPgCawEXtUl3z3nTwjYf_tz-NBIjwsJB8aroxrD6Qf2i4nsABEB_JZWus4Rbw0kCebC9zqpohTkWOUxVB4tJKYbV6R/s1600/Kate%C5%99ina+Mace%C4%8Dkova.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has been a rough few years for Karlovy Vary<br />
Photo: Kateřina Macečková, hokejkv.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was not too long ago that Karlovy Vary were in the
Extraliga Finals two seasons in a row. However, it has been five years now
since the Spa team has come close to repeating their triumph. In fact, it has
now been five years since KV have made it to the Extraliga play-ins (Played
between the 7<sup>th</sup>-10<sup>th</sup> ranked teams to decide who gets the
final two playoff places), let alone the playoffs. The rebuild began in earnest
last season, as star forwards Lukáš Pech and Petr Kumstát left to join Sparta
Praha, while a whole host of loan players were signed in order to get KV back
to the playoffs, but it didn’t work as they finished in a disappointing 12<sup>th</sup>
place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is another fresh start for KV as five of their six top
scorers last season will not feature on the 2014/15 roster. Martin Zaťovič
(Lada Togliatti), Roman Vlach (Zlín), Petr Pohl (Eisbären Berlin), Marek
Hovorka (Chomutov) and Michal Gulaši (Södertälje) have all departed, with
<b>Stanislav Balan</b> being the one remaining forward of any note. The only area
where there appears to be any sort of stability is in goal, as <b>Tomáš Závorka</b>
will likely retain the starter’s position with Vladislav Habal and David Honzík
backing up. Závorka had a so-so 2013/14 in comparison to his first season as a
starter the year before. A 91.5 save percentage is not going to cut it if KV
want to be contenders for playoff action this coming year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if there has been a massive exodus from KV this summer, how
come they have been able to beat Plzeň, Litvínov and the KHL’s Medveščak Zagreb
in pre-season? Well, in the latter game, new signing<b> Radek Duda</b> scored
twice, once on a goal assisted by Balán before burying a penalty shot. Like him
or loath him, Duda is going to score points at the Extraliga level. The now 35
year old winger, who has tossed away the #69 along with mirrored visor, joins
after a near point per game season with Plzeň. The journeyman forward has been
given the captaincy at KV and will be relied on to lead the charge back to the
playoffs. Although, part of me doesn’t think that Duda is going to be the best
captaincy in all honesty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joining Duda and Balan up front is <b>Juris Štāls</b>, who joins
from a near point-per-game season with Poprad in the Slovak Extraliga. Veteran <b>David
Hruška</b> also joins after scoring 32 points for Chomutov last season, but the
scoring depth then drops off. There is a glut of young forwards who may be able
to have a breakout season, mainly graduating from the KV team in the MHL. Look
for <b>Martin Kohout,</b> <b>Jakub Flek</b> and <b>Tomáš Harkabus</b> to have their first real taste
of Extraliga action this coming season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVhiYgq1ykMaH9NJ0N0i2-7hMf6Ebcf_d-rVJ8nsKJMRZiIKrc5tpkjxzrcoBD6dQWG-V96uBKplwoOq3CGh5BV6hb3HhClwEGJhrjEyJrHflchRYlyHcRL6UkMOxS5dk3fBSDiw9YF5q/s1600/Duda+Mace%C4%8Dkova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVhiYgq1ykMaH9NJ0N0i2-7hMf6Ebcf_d-rVJ8nsKJMRZiIKrc5tpkjxzrcoBD6dQWG-V96uBKplwoOq3CGh5BV6hb3HhClwEGJhrjEyJrHflchRYlyHcRL6UkMOxS5dk3fBSDiw9YF5q/s1600/Duda+Mace%C4%8Dkova.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radek Duda, now at his seventh Extraliga club<br />
Photo: Kateřina Macečková, hokejkv.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If anywhere, KV have bolstered their blueline, the two
biggest signings being <b>Radek Deyl</b> from HC Košice and <b>Jēkabs Rēdlihs</b> from Dinamo
Riga. Whether or not they will be able to right the sinking ship remains to be
seen, especially with the departure of Radim Bičánek. However, Deyl has been on
the cusp of the Slovak national team for two seasons, and Redlihs has over 150
KHL games to his credit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Player to watch: Radek Duda (Forward. Last season: 47GP
17+24, 141PIM, +6)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It couldn’t be anyone else really. Duda always draws
attention, and he can still produce at the Extraliga level. He will more than
likely be KV’s top scorer and he can be guaranteed to get himself into trouble
at some point this season. The Duda sideshow rolls on to KV, and to be honest
with his antics it is no surprise it has been 11 years since he has tasted
Extraliga glory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position:</b> 13th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer:</b> Radek Duda <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP: </b>Radek Duda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>HC Olomouc – Tough Beginnings</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season:</b> 1.liga Runners up – Promoted in Extraliga
playout<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top scorer</b>: Denis Kindl (22yo, 52GP 16+31
+26)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last season’s top goaltender:</b> Tomáš Halász (25GP 1.62GAA
94.3%)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love to see an underdog do well. I really do. However, one
look at the HC Olomouc roster for the coming season and it is clear that this a
good 1.liga squad, but it just won’t cut the mustard at Extraliga level.
Olomouc’s roster last season was heavily reliant on loan talent. For example,
top scorer Denis Kindl joined the team on loan from Třinec, and the 22 year old
will play for his parent team this coming season. Additionally, Olomouc’s top
player in the playoffs, forward David Ostřížek, has signed for Kometa Brno full
time after also coming from Třinec. To be fair to them, Olomouc have managed to
sign <b>Jan Knotek</b> full time from Havlíčkův Brod, while <b>Rostislav Marosz,</b> who had
11 points in the 1.liga playoffs, signs for another season on loan. However,
the loss of Kindl’s points up front will be a massive blow for Olomouc, and
none of their summer signings seem to suggest that these points will be
replaced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVLseWOP266HkXK-oN4qFN033QoMZaq2FIXbzzEXF0JvD5ulwoKx7pvLzboIOfgRDUOg4RcPKXIlorjSpRwB_i0COm5ET8diV1CQmT9SiuLKGaPe0A2xRCIh_Y3vdKz9Z1xVgrt_kroWb/s1600/vo%C5%A1vrda+Karolina+Martinkova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVLseWOP266HkXK-oN4qFN033QoMZaq2FIXbzzEXF0JvD5ulwoKx7pvLzboIOfgRDUOg4RcPKXIlorjSpRwB_i0COm5ET8diV1CQmT9SiuLKGaPe0A2xRCIh_Y3vdKz9Z1xVgrt_kroWb/s1600/vo%C5%A1vrda+Karolina+Martinkova.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomáš Vošvrda returns to the Extraliga<br />
Photo: Karolina Martinková, hc-olomouc.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pavel Patera</b>, now 42, leaves Rytiři Kladno following their
relegation and is Olomouc’s marquee summer signing. He picked up 26 points for
Kladno last season and no doubt his two way game will be valuable for the club,
but I doubt he will match his points target last season. <b>Jakub Matai</b>, the 21
year old Czech forward who split last season between HC Lev Praha and HC
Litomeřice in the 1.liga is a good signing and he will relish his first crack
at the Extraliga. His points totals were rather disappointing for Litomeřice (7
points in 18 games), but his KHL experience will be vital. If one of these
forwards can strike up a partnership with <b>Radim Kucharczyk</b>, then maybe Olomouc
will be on to a winner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In goal, Tomáš Halasz, who was on loan from HC Košice, has
joined Pardubice, leaving <b>Tomáš Vošvrd</b>a and new signing <b>Jíři Trvaj.</b> Vošvrda had
near identical statistics to Halasz in the regular season, but the former was
disappointing in the post-season. Vošvrda has extensive Extraliga experience,
having been 1b to Marek Pinc at Liberec. Pinc’s tendency for playoff meltdowns
saw Vosvrda feature in the post-season heavily for Liberec over the course of
three seasons, however, he has struggled to hold down an Extraliga starting
post. Trvaj has already picked up a 31 shot shutout in a pre-season victory
against Pardubice last week, and is still one of the best ‘one game goalies’ in
the Extraliga. Olomouc have picked up another victory over Pardubice and also
have a win over Dinamo Minsk to their credit so far in pre-season, but this has
been juxtaposed with a loss at relegated Chomutov.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M51tnw3_NHoIOX_iN4Stcb8yWPKPFO3Gc8PxDqD8rpioPlhVn67tJGmSR1cPnCPB2vpOe73m168Gfhjz6YWcgRDP5gUh2nGwjBYjvkPQtVJIl1GChEqPH_uBFunyeXiqj867Mmf7Ew2y/s1600/Jakub+Herman+Zden%C4%9Bk+Pol%C3%A1k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M51tnw3_NHoIOX_iN4Stcb8yWPKPFO3Gc8PxDqD8rpioPlhVn67tJGmSR1cPnCPB2vpOe73m168Gfhjz6YWcgRDP5gUh2nGwjBYjvkPQtVJIl1GChEqPH_uBFunyeXiqj867Mmf7Ew2y/s1600/Jakub+Herman+Zden%C4%9Bk+Pol%C3%A1k.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakub Herman wheels away in celebration<br />
Photo: Zdeněk Polák, hc-olomouc.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The defence has been strengthened with the signing of
Finnish defenceman <b>Joni Tuominen, </b>a 31 year old veteran has extensive Liiga
experience. At the
time of writing, Olomouc have also announced the signing of 36 year old<b> Pavel
Skrbek</b>, who has played the majority of his career in the SHL. It is a fantastic
coup for Olomouc and he easily slots in as their number 1 for the coming
season. However, one player won’t solve all of Olomouc’s problems and they will
be hoping that some of their younger talent steps up to the plate. It remains
to be seen whether Czech U18 representative <b>Alex Rašner</b> will play with the
senior team in the coming season, while up front, a number of players will be
getting their first taste of action.<b> Roman Rac </b>and<b> Lukáš Králík</b> will be relied
on to contribute, and Olomouc will need them to get on the board if they have
any hope of not being bottom of the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One to watch: Jakub Herman (Forward. Last season: 48GP 16+13
+12)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of Olomouc’s young forwards, Herman in my opinion, is
the one who will have the best season. He has had two solid seasons with
Olomouc since joining in 2011, and the former U18 national team player will be
looking to get somewhere close to his 16 goal tally from last season. The
goal-scoring forward will have to quickly get up to speed in the Extraliga, and
with some work on his skating I think he has the potential to hold down a
regular spot in the Czech top flight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Predictions:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Position: </b>14<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Top Scorer:</b> Radim Kucharczyk<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MVP</b>: Pavel Skrbek</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So with the bottom half of the table covered, the time comes to look at the championship contenders. Check back next week, when Velvet Hockey will bring you the run through of the top teams in the Czech Republic for 2014-15. Will Pardubice bounce back? How will Hradec Kralove do in their second season? Will Sparta dominate for a second season? Velvet Hockey will have the answers.</i></div>
</div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-44331282218724457342014-08-13T12:12:00.000-07:002014-08-13T12:36:22.132-07:00The boys of winter are back: Reflecting on the Czech summerIt is with great pleasure that Velvet Hockey returns from an extended break. After taking a year break from engaging with hockey, I’m feeling refreshed and ready to bring news and views from the Czech Republic and Slovakia and (hopefully) neatly summarise them in English.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nXitjEpxUHgyj7wnIdxU4Mfcxyn3uqn_TiBgYvgd9_bhszpLRUeizZDw4GCj8AM-acAfKtMDzNpXqXUFga5CVessx2l2N6Wq0OCh5aawQHgyjcO1sLuTh6n2i1I5sxOeNAD7s_p3k8KY/s1600/_MG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nXitjEpxUHgyj7wnIdxU4Mfcxyn3uqn_TiBgYvgd9_bhszpLRUeizZDw4GCj8AM-acAfKtMDzNpXqXUFga5CVessx2l2N6Wq0OCh5aawQHgyjcO1sLuTh6n2i1I5sxOeNAD7s_p3k8KY/s1600/_MG_1980.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HC Zlin: Extraliga Champions 2013/14<br />
Photo: Lukáš Urbanik, hokej.zlin.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been a busy summer in the Czech Extraliga, and I could write reams on the major stories which have filled those long summer days. With pre-season now two weeks in and the league season a little under a month away, most teams are putting the finishing touches to their rosters and seems the perfect time to reflect on the summer that has been.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Two in, two out</b></u><br />
<br />
Ever since the Extraliga/1.liga relegation playouts were changed to a round robin format (somewhat resembling the Swedish Kvalserien) featuring the top two 1.liga teams and the worst two Extraliga teams, the potential for a massive shift has always been there. HC Pirati Chomutov survived by the skin of their teeth in 2012/13, but this year they were not so lucky. Joining Chomutov in 1.liga next year is Rytiři Kladno. Kladno, owned by Czech legend Jaromir Jágr, were a perenial bottom feeder before the team rebranded under the name Rytiři (meaning Knights) in 2011.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVAR6GjxRd551utxK1Ztgj8QZYg9WagrKawBUl_aCtPNm2WmaXW0Q2_EkCMS4aMzVfr1zy6x9AafMAk4BcVYQu49UsKAPEQ8SqvqGygjbcoF7lQx2bUTqCy9IZazk812a7P3AVZGWHSoA/s1600/IMG_7436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVAR6GjxRd551utxK1Ztgj8QZYg9WagrKawBUl_aCtPNm2WmaXW0Q2_EkCMS4aMzVfr1zy6x9AafMAk4BcVYQu49UsKAPEQ8SqvqGygjbcoF7lQx2bUTqCy9IZazk812a7P3AVZGWHSoA/s1600/IMG_7436.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's 1.liga hockey once again for these Chomutov fans<br />
Photo: Jan Pidrman, piratichomutov.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kladno has been one of the biggest talent producers in Czech hockey over the last century. The club was founded in 1924, and won five Czechoslovak championships between 1975 and 1980. The NHL lockout in 2012/13 was testament to the quality that Kladno has produced, as Jágr, along with Tomáš Plekanec, Marek Židlický, Jiří Tlustý and Tomáš Kaberle all laced up the skates for the Knights. The aforementioned five players were all products of Kladno’s junior system, but the senior squad has always flattered to deceive. Kaberle returned to the Extraliga following a fourteen season NHL career, but he was unable to solidify a leaky defence which conceded an average of over three goals a game. It is not the first time Kladno have fallen to the 1.liga though. In 2002/03 the team bounced straight back following their relegation the season before. This author has his fingers crossed they can do the same in 2014/15.<br />
<br />
Chomutov’s two year stint in the Extraliga is a cliché for what could have been. 2012/13 saw the team get off to a flyer, hovering around the playoff places as they seemed to catch teams by surprise and pick up victories at home on the road. However, the racism incident involving Chris Stewart (read <a href="http://velvethockey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/racist-chants-directed-at-simmonds.html">here</a>) appeared to take more out of the team than was first thought, as they dropped like an anchor to the bottom of the Extraliga pile by the end of the season. Last season, Chomutov started awfully and continued the trend. A paltry six wins was all the team could muster, 20 less than 13th placed Kladno.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZW7et6pcaVLEN0hZBofiRIuk_e0vG36VAqKT7LCYdxc9Ow4DAfNULSfMYVCeqFl4g96Wnu6_V0R-reW1rjquS4Q1JrXNBxTtBAuMKeO6g6Yt-_aAegslgqoR3__XcD8a4Lqx-U7PkEaE/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZW7et6pcaVLEN0hZBofiRIuk_e0vG36VAqKT7LCYdxc9Ow4DAfNULSfMYVCeqFl4g96Wnu6_V0R-reW1rjquS4Q1JrXNBxTtBAuMKeO6g6Yt-_aAegslgqoR3__XcD8a4Lqx-U7PkEaE/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HC Olomouc celebrate their promotion "Czech Style"<br />
Photo: Eva Holásková, hcolomouc.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Taking their place are BK Mladá Boleslav and HC Olomouc. The former are no strangers to the Extraliga, as they had a four season spell between 2008 and 2012. However, it was hardly a successful stint in the Czech top flight, finishing last in three of those four seasons, and only managing to finish 13th in 2009/10. In one of the most interesting facts of Czech hockey, HC Olomouc were the first winners of the independent Czech Extraliga in 1993. However, in 1997, the club sold its Extraliga license to Karlovy Vary, and in 1999 the club collapsed all together. Hockey returned to Olomouc in 2001, and they have risen through the ranks from the 2.liga (Czech third tier) and have finally returned to the Czech top flight, having finished runners-up to Mladá Boleslav in the 1.liga final but beating both of the Extraliga teams in the relegation playout.<br />
Both teams have looked to strengthen in order to make sure their stays in the Extraliga are not limited to a solitary season. Mladá Boleslav have retained their three top scorers from last season (Tomáš Klimenta, David Výborný and Michal Broš). Adding to this trio, the club has penned contracts with young forwards Tomáš Hyka (from Farjestad in the SHL), Dominik Pacovský, who failed to make an impact with Lev Praha in the KHL, but has a proven track record with Sparta and David Květoň, who has a number of solid seasons with Třinec to his name.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, Olomouc have strengthened the back end. Tomáš Halász’s transfer to Pardubice opened up a space in goal alongside the rejuvinated Tomáš Vosvrda, which has been filled by Jiři Trvaj. Additionally, Olomouc penned deals with Martin Vyrůbalík, who has an exceptional record in recent years in the Slovak Extraliga with Skalica, and Joni Tuominen, a Finnish defenceman with over 350 games experience in the Finnish Liiga and 22-year old Peter Hraško, who made his Slovakia national team debut this season.<br />
<br />
<u><b>The New Slavia</b></u><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXawEut2J1umPedoamNfvT8Afk6JHv90LrmaaBEdpE8f7-GZjZhbAhkeI73wBFSuLJRBbXOh5Xw_0PEiE6-PX2Nqv2HAVWXuzkJ6qIvftQ6v-omdMhyphenhyphenIxuxJvFB7VdmKn-7jGc644MPzGK/s1600/2042607_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXawEut2J1umPedoamNfvT8Afk6JHv90LrmaaBEdpE8f7-GZjZhbAhkeI73wBFSuLJRBbXOh5Xw_0PEiE6-PX2Nqv2HAVWXuzkJ6qIvftQ6v-omdMhyphenhyphenIxuxJvFB7VdmKn-7jGc644MPzGK/s1600/2042607_.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lubina Out" - Slavia fans make their voice heard<br />
Photo: Pavel Mazáč, http://isport.blesk.cz/galerie/<br />
hokej-tipsport-extraliga/205081/?foto=0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The club undergoing perhaps the biggest change this offseason is Slavia Praha, not least because coach of fourteen seasons, Vladimir Růžička, left the club to take up the post as Czech Republic head coach on a full time basis. Along with the coach’s departure, club captain Petr Kadlec left for Plzeň after over 1,000 games with Slavia. The ownership fiasco of the last two seasons seems to have got itself sorted and now Slavia can look to move on…right?<br />
<br />
Wrong. Or so that’s how it seems to be at present. The man chosen to replace Růžička as coach is Ladislav Lubina, who had a distinguished career with Pardubice as a player and a so-so period as head coach. However, Slavia’s fan club (Sešívaní) have been vocal in their unacceptance of Lubina, with a ‘Lubina ven’ (Lubina out) banner being held proudly at all Slavia’s pre-season games at Eden so far.<br />
<br />
The root behind the dislike of Lubina? Reading through the group’s Facebook page and what has been published in the press, it appears that the main point of contention is Lubina’s non-hockey past, where he was responsible for the death of the father Vratislav Lokvenc in a car crash in Hradec Kralove. Lubina fled the scene but was eventually caught, and sentenced to two years’ probation.<br />
<br />
Lubina appears to have the support of the Slavia board, and the team’s pre-season form has been incredibly impressive, as they have racked up five wins in a row, defeating the likes of Admiral Vladivostok and thrashing Medveščak Zagreb 5-0. Against Zagreb, Slavia lined up with a first line of Marek Tomica, Jaroslav Bednář and Tomáš Vlasák, the same top line they had in the 2005/06 season. Vlasák has been Slavia’s big name free agent signing this summer, after spending seven successful seasons with Plzeň.<br />
<br />
<u><b>A Ton of bricks</b></u><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsV4EfRrzYv7BmZMyKPTTSWJRjfJl7UEP7otwg5L_D1gKK_85807Bl90Y4cx1iQLZHLSscJkgck6IGB3tvwZ51wKLeEuwRjTb5Br3zEoeYr7InkRngFa9MoNqOPBVN007skiEBdIPTCdn/s1600/IMG_4238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsV4EfRrzYv7BmZMyKPTTSWJRjfJl7UEP7otwg5L_D1gKK_85807Bl90Y4cx1iQLZHLSscJkgck6IGB3tvwZ51wKLeEuwRjTb5Br3zEoeYr7InkRngFa9MoNqOPBVN007skiEBdIPTCdn/s1600/IMG_4238.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sight Sparta fans thought they'd never see -<br />
Petr Ton in a Kometa jersey<br />
Photo: Michal Eger, hc-kometa.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In arguably the biggest transfer saga of the season, Petr Ton, the face of Sparta Praha for the last decade has <br />
left the club after a 67 point season which ended in acrimonious circumstances. Sparta, who finished the 2013/14 miles ahead of the pack in the regular season, lost once more to Kometa Brno in the playoffs. A lack of agreement over finances has been cited by the club as the reason as to Ton’s release, however, the fact that the 40-year old was benched during the third period of game 7 against Kometa by Sparta head coach Josef Jandač surely must have played a factor in Ton leaving Sparta after his best season yet. A video of Ton’s sitting is available <a href="http://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/blesk-sport/201131/spartan-ton-se-obul-do-trenera-jandace-kdyz-to-nejde-posadi-me.html.">here</a><br />
<br />
In a rather cruel twist of fate, despite rumours linking Ton to his hometown Kladno club, the veteran sharpshooter signed with Kometa Brno, who have been a perennial thorn in Sparta’s side in recent seasons. You can be sure that Ton will get a warm reception on his return to the Tipsport Arena, but if Ton leads another Kometa victory over Sparta in the playoffs, perhaps the goodwill will fade.<br />
<br />
<u><b>The KHL merry go round</b></u><br />
<br />
As with every summer, there has been no shortage in the transfer activity between the Czech Extraliga and the KHL. I remember interviewing then Zlín (now Pardubice) head coach Zdeněk Venera in 2007 and him remarking that it was a massive struggle for Czech clubs to hold onto their talent because they get offers of between 7 and 10 times more from the KHL. As a consequence, a vast majority of the younger Czech talent that perhaps won’t make it in the NHL, makes the move to Russia.<br />
<br />
The biggest ‘Czech’ transfer splash in the KHL perhaps does not involve the Extraliga though, as Slavia product Vladimir Sobotka surprisingly left the St. Louis Blues and signed a bumper contract with Avangard Omsk, a Russian powerhouse who have fallen by the wayside in recent years through poor performances. Other KHL-KHL transfers have seen defenceman Josef Hrabal (former Třinec) move from Sibir Novosibirsk to Dinamo Riga. Vladimir Růžička jr. left Slavia for a tryout with Dinamo Riga, but his future is uncertain as the Latvian club declined to offer him a contract. Defenceman Jan Kolář (former Pardubice) makes the move from Donbass Donetsk to Admiral Vladivostok following Donbass’ decision to cease operations for the coming season. Petr Koukal leaves Neftekhimik Nizhekamsk for KHL newboys Jokerit, while fellow forward Jakub Petružálek will hope to recapture his fine form on Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg’s roster, after leaving Ak Bars Kazan.<br />
<br />
In terms of transfers from the Extraliga to the KHL, Sparta lost two players as Tomáš Pöpperle returns to the KHL, this time with HK Sochi, while Tomáš Rachunek has penned a deal with Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Additionally, Martin Zatovic and Karol Sloboda have signed with Lada Togliatti, from Karlovy Vary and Vitkovice respectively. Moving back to the Extraliga from the KHL, Třinec have made the biggest splash, signing Zbyněk Irgl to replace Martin Růžička, who gets a second crack at the KHL, this time with Traktor Chelyabinsk. Additionally a number of the younger players at the now defunct Lev Praha have signed Extraliga deals, Lukáš Cingel and Jakub Matai being two.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrGgCK2kBo_gSEanflzyHKZiackwQa8Qb1msde-A32KLGLnhWEO1J9tUOWHbb66amRMFv_e3mZoV-f5V2Ne2SR569Yk5w3BA73wMgtqhcoDx961Hcg1h6su3ikToTTEsWF7mm3mTUYGIN/s1600/DSC_9038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrGgCK2kBo_gSEanflzyHKZiackwQa8Qb1msde-A32KLGLnhWEO1J9tUOWHbb66amRMFv_e3mZoV-f5V2Ne2SR569Yk5w3BA73wMgtqhcoDx961Hcg1h6su3ikToTTEsWF7mm3mTUYGIN/s1600/DSC_9038.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Irgl lead Třinec back to the Extraliga championship?<br />
Photo: Martin Ježowicz, hcocelari.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, it looks to be yet another promising Extraliga season, with the pressure being on Zlín to see whether<br />
or not they can retain their Extraliga crown. They have made very few changes to their roster, along the loss of Petr Zámorský and Antonín Honejsek, two of the team’s best young players may hit the reigning champions hard. However, the signing of Roman Vlach from Karlovy Vary was a welcome boost, and the Moravians have faith they can get their second title in a row. I will hopefully have a team by team preview up within the next week or so, including my predictions of the Extraliga table and the players to watch this season.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy pre-season, and if you have always wanted to go and watch some Czech hockey but have never got round to it, this is the year to do so. Pound Sterling is currently around 25 per cent up on the Czech Koruna since the start of the year, and the Czechs are planning on keeping their currency at the same level. This means that a centre ice ticket at the o2 Arena for a Slavia game costs £5.50 (standing for £2), while a ticket at the Tipsport Arena for their deadly rivals Sparta will cost you £3.30 at the cheapest (rising to £5.75). Your pound will go even further in the Czech Republic than it has before, and with beers from as little as £0.80, you cannot go wrong!<br />
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Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-57501240369768191282013-04-03T09:18:00.000-07:002013-04-03T10:01:56.851-07:00Why the Czech Extraliga is the best in the world.It's like an addiction at the moment. Every day, at around quarter past five I set my browser to www.tvtipsport.cz in wait of the next Czech Extraliga playoff game. Now at the semi final stage, with both series' looking like they are heading for seven games, I'm basking in the glory of watching what is in my opinion, the best hockey league in the world. Yes, the NHL, KHL and probably even the Elitserien, SM-Liiga and NLA have more talented players. Yes, the quality of the hockey on a technical level is probably better in all of those aforementioned leagues. However, after watching a large amount of the KHL this year due to my Slovan commitments, and also having a resurgent interest in watching the NHL due to the performances of the Ottawa Senators, I will hands down say that you could give me a relegation play-out game between Liberec and Olomouc over any of the other leagues.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubH99xpKh7xlMcaB4mN69KQeVDLO5RNR7MEm4YhWatBhYhDQzY9OTCB2q_HLrl6ItdEU2D4XrwQ6VBHvb28hfshghLHOI98cgHssuXuhisoYAAFS889wabrJ-YslJpVwA30vEawuVHPtb/s1600/img_9634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubH99xpKh7xlMcaB4mN69KQeVDLO5RNR7MEm4YhWatBhYhDQzY9OTCB2q_HLrl6ItdEU2D4XrwQ6VBHvb28hfshghLHOI98cgHssuXuhisoYAAFS889wabrJ-YslJpVwA30vEawuVHPtb/s320/img_9634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The enthusiasm and passion of the fans is summed up<br />
by the raucous lot from Kometa Brno<br />
Photo: Ivo Dostál</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
'Well you are a blogger on Czech hockey, of course you'll want to watch that league more'. Yes, that could be true, but while my long standing interest (dating back to my first game, a Prague derby between Slavia and Sparta in October 2006) in Czech and Slovak hockey makes me perhaps more receptive to that league due to my knowledge of the players and the teams, I can honestly say that come playoff time, the Czech Extraliga is the most entertaining hockey you will see. I make no apologies for being a Slavia fan. Throughout the years I have probably been to around twenty Slavia games and have enjoyed every one. Even the 6:0 spanking by Vitkovice with <b>Milan Hnilička</b> in goal in 2009 was an enjoyable game. However, I'm finding the second semi final series, between PSG Zlín and Oceláři Třinec to be as equally thrilling. Zlín, lead the series 3:2, but the two games they lost, they got dominated by the immensely talented Třinec forwards, losing Games 2 and 5 6:2 and 6:1 respectively.<br />
<br />
But what makes the hockey so great? Why does this nobody want to lecture me on the best hockey? Honestly, I can't really tell you what makes it so great. Come playoff time though, there's one word that sums up the Extraliga. Passion. You can see it on the faces of every player. Every goal is celebrated to the fullest, and although the term giving 110% gets thrown around far too often, with these players, they truly are giving everything and more in order to bring their team to victory. There is also an incredible parity in the league, which means that you can never count any team out. After looking dreadful in Game 1, losing 3:0 at the o2 Arena to Slavia, Plzeň, led by former NHL stalwart <b>Martin Straka</b>, won Games 2 and 3 and looked to have the upper hand, only to lose Game 4. It is this same sort of parity which sees Liberec, who have been consistently one of the best teams in the regular season over the past four years, now playing in the relegation playoffs. The two finalists from last year, Pardubice and Kometa Brno are both out of contention, while Sparta Praha, who were sitting bottom of the table in November, ended up making the playoffs and losing in seven games in the quarter finals. I go into every game I watch never knowing who is going to win, and I've lost far too much money over the years trying to use my knowledge on betting, only to lose my winnings to a last minute goal or the like.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXIu2EMrIgT00dL7n5mSxvH-rm5amDBSMGjfo5oqqMxRqQ4MFT3RPMxk1x82egfF49CwD43uA-68Kotwvy21nUXxTzPOdgg921VS-KkEuspB_bua7CtoZZnEPeFSz5sPakqQ6FL1uWZd-/s1600/841717-img-sport-hokej-extraliga-play-off-ctvrtfinale-liberec-slavia-tomas-svoboda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXIu2EMrIgT00dL7n5mSxvH-rm5amDBSMGjfo5oqqMxRqQ4MFT3RPMxk1x82egfF49CwD43uA-68Kotwvy21nUXxTzPOdgg921VS-KkEuspB_bua7CtoZZnEPeFSz5sPakqQ6FL1uWZd-/s320/841717-img-sport-hokej-extraliga-play-off-ctvrtfinale-liberec-slavia-tomas-svoboda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite hockey photo. Tomáš Svoboda after scoring<br />
the game tying goal vs Liberec in the 2011 Playoffs.<br />
Photo: Michal Beránek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So are you going to see the best quality hockey from a technical level? No. No you're not. The Extraliga is often a very offensively inclined league. Goals are often scored in abundance, and teams often look for a good defensive unit as the third priority between a potent offence and a lights out netminder. You'll very rarely see a netminder with a save percentage under 2.00, yet save percentages stretch into the 0.930s regularly, highlighting that these teams love to shoot the puck. Yes, you're not going to get huge body checks in the corners, and to see a full gloves off, Queensbury rules fight is very rare, but rile them enough, and the Czechs love a scrap. Often it'll be frantic flying of the fists, and often they forget to take their gloves off, but what does this highlight? Passion. You're not going to get guys like Colton Orr who get 27 minutes of penalties in two seconds of ice time. You're getting guys who love hockey, and who can also play it. You're also getting fans that don't stop singing for the whole sixty minutes. It creates an atmosphere that is intoxicating, and keeps me wanting more. The chants are engaging, the banners and the tifos creative and often hilarious, and just a love for hockey that permeates throughout the Czech Republic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cocky or brilliant? Robert Kysela showboats in the 2001 Playoffs</span></div>
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I know the adverts are often distracting. I know that the jersies are often garish and that the foreign commentary can make it difficult to follow and difficult to get into, but with a bit of effort, and an open mind, the world of the Czech Extraliga is an accessible place. The names are difficult, granted, but I really think people are missing out by not giving foreign leagues more of a try, especially when reliable, decent quality streams are always going to be available. There are characters in the league. Guys like Radek Duda, guys like Martin Straka make headlines, and their play on the ice reflects that. There's the nostalgia of seeing former NHL players like Radek Bonk, Petr Nedvěd and Václav Varaďa finishing their careers in their native land.<br />
<br />
So this is my plea to you, from one hockey fan to another. I write this as I have half of my screen taken up by my beloved Slavia, currently losing by one goal to Plzeň in Game 6, which if they don't win, means their season is over. God forbid that they do lose this game, sure, I'll be downhearted, but it's a joy to watch this Plzeň team, and wish them all the best in the future.<br />
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The Czech Extraliga is the best hockey that you're not watching. Change that now.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-5553370148621984062013-03-28T15:04:00.001-07:002013-03-28T15:28:57.005-07:00Jaroslav Janus to bolt to the Lightning?<i>(First, perhaps an apology to regular readers. A curse of writers block they call it. I was miffed that I went four months without posting on this blog. I guess with the rigours of every day life, plus my continued work with HC SLOVAN Bratislava taking up any time that I wanted to give to myself to doing hockey writing saw me neglect this labour of love in favour of my 'work'. However, I'm hoping this will be the recommencement of regular postings on this blog. I've spent too long working on it before to let it die out now).</i><br />
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Recent news reports coming out of the Slovak capital hint
at a possible NHL return for HC SLOVAN Bratislava and Team Slovakia netminder
<b>Jaroslav Janus</b>. The 23 year old Prešov native shone in his first year in the
KHL, leading his club, predicted to prop up the Western Conference, to a 6<sup>th</sup>
place finish in the West, and a playoff spot in the club’s first season at this
level. The playoff match-up against defending champions Dinamo Moscow may not
have gone to plan, with Janus being replaced by <b>Branislav Konrád</b> after
conceding five goals in Game 1, and returning in Game 4 but being unable to
stop the big blue machine, who won the final game in the series 3:2 and
completing the sweep of Slovan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rA0TDPUcODj14flXJ1wu0CKxDvzohoO09W8PByZe-tG0PxXho5bgglMsdi31tXEqbm3wRiyTocb9mvr6sOhvStsYsUJ-kTb2ZtbIFT6PHtK18Cp6kj8pjv0M6WL7YeGO8hk8-zfeBFpv/s1600/jaroslav-janus-22-september-69257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rA0TDPUcODj14flXJ1wu0CKxDvzohoO09W8PByZe-tG0PxXho5bgglMsdi31tXEqbm3wRiyTocb9mvr6sOhvStsYsUJ-kTb2ZtbIFT6PHtK18Cp6kj8pjv0M6WL7YeGO8hk8-zfeBFpv/s320/jaroslav-janus-22-september-69257.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaroslav Janus shone for HC SLOVAN Bratislava in 2012/13<br />
Photo: hcmetallurg.ru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, to focus on Janus’ disappointing playoff
performance would be a misnomer, as behind what can only be described as some
frantic defending, especially following the loss of lockout additions <b>Ľubomír
Višňovský </b>and <b>Andrej Sekera</b> in January, Janus consistently played lights out. A
.928 save percentage put him among the top ten in terms of starting netminders
in the KHL, while his five shutouts were good enough for joint-third out of KHL
netminders. One could also attribute the downturn in performance to burnout.
Janus, who went without a pre-season due to being a last minute addition by
Slovan, ended up starting 47 out of Slovan’s 52 regular season games, which was
the most out of any netminder in the KHL, with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod’s <b>Vitali
Koval</b> the only one coming close, having played one game less.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, while I could write a whole post raving about
Janus’ performances this year, as having seen first-hand some of his
desperation saves in games against SKA St. Petersburg and Ak Bars Kazan, it
could be the last that Slovan fans see of Janus, who came through the club’s
junior system. The source of this news comes from a brief posting on the news
tab on <a href="http://www.hokej.cz/">www.hokej.cz</a>, which featured a quote
from Janus’ agent, Robert Spálenka. This has been cited by both SME in their
article (<a href="http://sport.sme.sk/c/6746263/tampa-bay-sa-zaujima-o-brankara-janusa.html">link</a>) and the news was also made public by HC SLOVAN Bratislava themselves on the
club’s website (<a href="http://www.hcslovan.sk/sk/spravy/yzerman-potvrdil-zaujem-o-janusa/">link</a>). Spálenka is quoted as saying “Tampa is
interested in Janus; the matter is under discussion”. That one line quote could
be make or break for Slovan’s offseason plans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Janus, who was drafted in the 6<sup>th</sup> round by the
<b>Tampa Bay Lightning</b> in 2009, is perhaps most famous in North America for his
incredible performances in goal for Team Slovakia at the World Junior Championships
of that same year. Janus backstopped Slovakia to an incredible 5:3 victory over
the United States in the quarter finals, despite being outshot 49:17. Although
Slovakia would go on to lose their semi-final game to Sweden, and eventually
the bronze medal game too, that one game, along with his performances in the round robin stage got Janus’ name known, as before that his OHL record with the
Erie Otters was hardly exceptional.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Just one of Janus' many saves against the United States in 2009</span></div>
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The Lightning had a prospect netminding logjam at this
point, with <b>Riku Helenius</b> and <b>Dustin Tokarski</b> and Janus competing for the two
goalie spots with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, the <b>Norfolk Admirals</b>, with
Janus being sent down to the <b>Florida Everblades</b> of the ECHL during the
2010-2011 season. Janus was a part of the Admirals’ plans during the 2011-2012
season, starting 34 games and playing the 1b role behind Tokarski as the
unstoppable Admirals led the march to the Calder Cup. Last season, which Janus
played in the KHL, was technically the final year of his three year entry level
deal signed on the 1<sup>st</sup> January 2010, which means that Janus is now a
restricted free agent, with Tampa Bay holding his NHL rights. There is also
further complication in the KHL, as upon signing the contract with Slovan in
September, Janus’ services were looked into by another party.<b> Lokomotiv
Yaroslavl</b>, who then owned Janus’ KHL rights originally wanted to sign Janus due
to an injury to starting netminder <b>Curtis Sanford</b>. News of the deal that took
place between the two clubs was hushed up and eventually Janus ended up with
Slovan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFrdXwgXA6p2TKwZ8BaxB979TQk7CB-g7ll3BlgEH3pej76WsvVsswm5TVfvHdMUzZwA4yKYb9BQu4pBDPv0OkH3DFpY3TfrrUH0OiPHNN9kAQwtEAlTW8ReMs9-6SwsJ-vhuxqiQxc9F/s1600/Jaroslav+Janus+Tampa+Bay+Lightning+v+St+Louis+MPdK63sNOTAl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFrdXwgXA6p2TKwZ8BaxB979TQk7CB-g7ll3BlgEH3pej76WsvVsswm5TVfvHdMUzZwA4yKYb9BQu4pBDPv0OkH3DFpY3TfrrUH0OiPHNN9kAQwtEAlTW8ReMs9-6SwsJ-vhuxqiQxc9F/s320/Jaroslav+Janus+Tampa+Bay+Lightning+v+St+Louis+MPdK63sNOTAl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janus in goal for the Lightning during 2011/12 pre-season<br />
Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With a transfer agreement between the KHL and NHL looking
to be somewhat in place following the Ľubomír Višňovský fiasco in late January,
Janus may certainly have room to manoeuvre his way back to Tampa Bay, who have
had netminding woes this season with <b>Anders Lindback</b>, <b>Mathieu Garon</b> and <b>Cedrick
Desjardins</b> all flattering to deceive. However, to add yet more confusion to the
situation, Janus was quoted by the HC SLOVAN website at the start of the month
with saying ‘Srdce mám belasé’, which translates as saying ‘I have a sky-blue
heart’; sky-blue being the traditional colours of Slovan (<a href="http://www.hcslovan.sk/sk/spravy/janus-srdce-mam-belase/">link</a>).
Also, as stressed in both of the Slovak media releases, Janus is supposed to
have a contract in place with Janus for next season in accordance with the ‘gentlemen’s
agreement’ with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Yeah, more plot twists than a M. Night
Shyamalan flick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Currently it remains whether or not to be seen where Janus
will end up next season. Slovan have already said that they do not expect this
matter to be resolved until after the Easter weekend, while Janus’
participation with the Slovakia squad at the World Championships may protract
the saga further. Is Janus ready for the NHL? At 23 years of age he is still
young for a netminder, and I think it would be rash to throw him in at the deep
end and expect him to be a solid NHL starter right off the bat. He’s an
exceptionally agile netminder, which allows him to compensate for his sometimes
poor positional play. Perhaps it came as a result of the scrambling Slovan
defence in front of him, but many a Slovan fan would often see Janus on his
front, diving across his crease to make yet another save. There’s no doubt that
his season with Slovan will have prepared him for the rigours of an NHL
schedule. For Janus, it will surely be the NHL or KHL next season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, I don’t have a crystal ball, and my predictions
are usually terrible so who knows what will happen. If he doesn’t make his way
back to the Slovnaft Arena though, Slovan are in a world of trouble.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-75234738355256772452012-11-03T16:10:00.000-07:002012-11-03T16:34:40.863-07:00The true cost of racism.Earlier this week I made a post the day following the news broke regarding racist chants directed at Bili Tygri Liberec forward Wayne Simmonds. Chants of 'opice' (monkey) at Simmonds dominated the news following the game between his Liberec side and Pirati Chomutov, with the fans of Chomutov accused of directing these chants at the Philadelphia Flyers forward . These fans have already been handed lifetime bans by the club, however, there has yet to be any concrete proof linking these fans to the racist abuse directed at Simmonds.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBqHfnvNHHp-JPKqmNn5EKjubvkrjfuir2rQD_lkEMerd0pv1tmSRMA4YXy1ZG8TXVOaZcQvjtDMgKjO8XuRnG2nMDrdwS4boB-bAMDAdhEyHPizF4XjL12l-u5fJdAGtLj1S1Kx4UhBx/s1600/2012-11-02+Bili+Tygri+Liberec+vs.+HC+Skoda+Plzen+1-8+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBqHfnvNHHp-JPKqmNn5EKjubvkrjfuir2rQD_lkEMerd0pv1tmSRMA4YXy1ZG8TXVOaZcQvjtDMgKjO8XuRnG2nMDrdwS4boB-bAMDAdhEyHPizF4XjL12l-u5fJdAGtLj1S1Kx4UhBx/s320/2012-11-02+Bili+Tygri+Liberec+vs.+HC+Skoda+Plzen+1-8+(8).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne Simmonds scored twice against Kometa after<br />
being subject to racist taunts against Chomutov<br />
Photo: Joerg Stephan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have conversed numerous times with a Chomutov fan Jirka Malis, on twitter (Follow him @ <a href="https://twitter.com/jirkam">https://twitter.com/jirkam</a>), and I spoke to him about this incident in detail. Jirka, a passionate follower of Pirati Chomutov, gave me a different perspective on what happened during the game with Liberec. Of course, after I saw the news break on the Czech sites, I was disgusted at the fact that Simmonds had been subject to racist abuse, but there is more to this scenario that meets the eye.<br />
<br />
To start with, it is right to give the fan culture in the Czech Republic some context. In terms of the Chomutov fans, Jirka gives me a correct example, in the fact that he divides the fans into three main groups. Firstly, you have what are described as the "passive fans" or the happy clappers, who only cheer when the team are winning. Secondly, you have the passionate fans who love their hockey. The drummers, the people who lead the majority of the chants. This is the group that Jirka identifies himself in, and these are the fans who on the whole, make the Czech Extraliga such a great league to watch because of the atmosphere generated by these fans. Thirdly, you have the "nationalist core" (or for the purpose of this article, the "deep core"). These people, supporting their far right ideology no doubt excerpt influence on the politics of their local region, but on the whole they appear to make their fans cheer louder in the games, and make sure that even when the side is losing, the fans are giving their all to support their team, Pirati Chomutov.<br />
<br />
Following the game against Liberec, the clubs official Facebook posted that they would not accept the word "monkey" at their stadium any more, and a number of Chomutov fans were asked to testify against members of the deep core as arrests were made following the game. In fact, members of the deep core were kept locked for over thirty hours following their arrest and questioning by the local police following the game against Liberec. This situation got so drastic that a large proportion of the Chomutov deep core refused to attend their 5:3 victory against Trinec following the heavy handed action of the local police against a minority of Chomutov fans. Five people from the Chomutov fan group were arrested, as well as named and shamed on nationwide telvision as a result of the case brought against them following the game against Liberec.<br />
<br />
I do not condone racism by any means, and I believe that criminal cases should be brought against those who have been proven to have racially abused Wayne Simmonds last Sunday's game against Liberec. However, what I do not agree with is the heavy handedness of the Czech police and the club in the wake of this incident. It is embarrassing for both Pirati Chomutov and the Czech Republic that the event happened, but it is completely unsuitable for good, passionate fans of Chomutov, who are not proven of racism, to be feel like they are cast aside as the fall out from the incident takes place. People who have refused to testify against the racists as a result of shaky evidence fear for their position as a member of the fanclub because of the fact that they did not see the people who started the chant, and that they only heard it take place. Is it right that these fans of Pirati, who spend such a large proportion of their wages on following their club, at home and away, are threatened by lifetime bans because they refuse to testify against people whose alleged crimes are not 100% proven?<br />
<br />
It is embarrassing for both club and country that what happened, happened. However, by being heavy handed, it could end up harming the club, and the country, a lot more than taking a step back and evaluating the situation from an objective point of view. There are clearly two points of view here, the club's view, which states that the fan club is a harbringer of racist activity, and the fans point of view, which is that the majority are being punished for the actions of the minority. Obviously I do not know what is right, and as I have previously stated, it is disgusting that Simmonds should be treated to the taunts that he was subject to in Chomutov. However, I don't feel that the heavy handed approach proposed by both the club, Pirati Chomutov, and the Czech police will serve to eradicate these racist tendencies. This heavy handed approach, of handing banning orders to fans who have yet to be proven of committing the acts will only serve to make an already disgruntled populace, even more agitated.<br />
<br />
We can all point the finger from our point of view, but the Czech Republic has been living under different conditions to the Western world for a good fifty years before 1989, and even then the differences in culture between the Czech Republic and what was previously described as the "First World" are deeply rooted within the populace.<br />
<br />
There are no winners from this situation, only losers.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-57196665836674229142012-10-29T07:23:00.002-07:002015-06-19T12:09:56.168-07:00Racist chants directed at Simmonds cloud Czech hockey<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88WWGAOeHCrB-qlPbIXYCUyZRO6RDE3dzW39zoksbmrYore8oLOc-5XLwh72zS_UqEtI38OiDao46E8gKh9Pd8J4gfJzCbHi54qwIL7csJpmwsV1zUIZKyAM8upJwg1fvZWrYKa5crY_l/s1600/simmonds_top01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88WWGAOeHCrB-qlPbIXYCUyZRO6RDE3dzW39zoksbmrYore8oLOc-5XLwh72zS_UqEtI38OiDao46E8gKh9Pd8J4gfJzCbHi54qwIL7csJpmwsV1zUIZKyAM8upJwg1fvZWrYKa5crY_l/s320/simmonds_top01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds was<br />
subject to racist abuse in Chomutov on Sunday<br />
Photo: piratichomutov.cz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wayne Simmonds became the first black player to play in the Czech Extraliga this season, as the Philadelphia Flyers forward recently left 2.Bundesliga side Eispiraten Crimmitschau along with Chris Stewart and signed up with Petr Nedved's Bílí Tygři Liberec. Simmonds, who had played two games in the Extraliga before Sunday's game in Chomutov had got off to a confident start with the Czech side, but unfortunately in the third game, the NHLer was subject to racial abuse by a section of Pirati Chomutov supporters. Chomutov, who only joined the Extraliga this year have got off to a solid start playing wise, but this incident will certainly pose problems for the club.<br />
<br />
The racial abuse, claimed by iSport (<a href="http://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/hokej-tipsport-extraliga/132192/pane-simmondsi-odpustte-chomutov-jasne-odsoudil-sve-omezence.html">source</a>), involved monkey chants being directed towards Simmonds. The taunts, allegedly came from the 'boiler' section of the Chomutov crowd, which are better known around the world as ultras. The abuse is said to have come at the end of the game, after Chomutov won the game in overtime. While the club have been quick to disassociate themselves with the fans that abused Simmonds, it does give a sad reflection into the cultural issues which have continually clouded the Slavic world since the fall of socialism in the late 1980s. Only a few weeks ago, there were vehement claims of racial abuse directed towards black English U-21 footballers whilst they played an away game in Serbia.<br />
<br />
Pirati Chomutov, and the majority of their fans do come out of this with some credit. On the mainpage of the clubs website, there is a long statement and a written apology to Simmonds. Marketing director David Dinda is quoted as saying: "We are disgusted by the behavior of a group of spectators, who greatly damaged the reputation of the club. We would like to deeply apologize to Simmonds and all the players of the Liberec team".<br />
<br />
General manager Jaroslav Veverka was particularly honest in his assessment of the situation on the same page. "Today we got two points (important points). However, what some of "our" fans showed was the worst I've ever seen at a hockey game! It was embarrassing and pathetic. I ask these people to not attend hockey games in Chomutov. The club in no way endorses their opinions and absolutely does not respect them! On behalf of the partners and the owners of the club, we say in addition: Do not come to hockey in Chomutov! We are not interested in fans like that!".<br />
<br />
Veverka also went on to say: "We will do everything possible to prevent entry to the people who were the originators of these chants. And it will be permanent".<br />
<br />
At the bottom of the page is a written apology to Simmonds, where the club claims that they do not consider those who gave the abuse fans of their club, and that they are sincerely sorry for what occurred.<br />
<br />
All these words from Chomutov look good on paper, but unless they prevent it from happening again when Liberec play in Chomutov then they will be hollow. Also, steps must be taken nationwide to stop this from becoming a common occurence whenever Simmonds and his Liberec side are playing away from home. Sports and conservative opinions have always been closely linked, especially in the former Eastern Bloc, but it is simply unacceptable in this day and age, for such a quickly developing country for such events like this to take place.<br />
<br />
Despite what Pirati try to state in their statements, the club and the Czech Republic comes away from this fiasco with egg on their faces. We can only hope that Simmonds is able to continue playing for Liberec without the fear of racist chants coming from the crowds, and that he is able to enjoy his stay in the Czech Republic, for however long he remains there.<br />
<br />Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-63573805379174365372012-10-11T05:12:00.002-07:002012-10-19T15:31:26.051-07:00Back with a bang: Why Martin Růžička is the best player in the Extraliga.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqs4jiHmP7VcxgYMyLteGEcfd41OasLXKJJBEzU1CKfAb9b6WaZm1J25KuGIQZOIiOVwnKztqQ5I-15Zf8CxshESidngqDIAbciLaWCPy3UuOL4R5CpeSyI2tAh-U6ijFuhFOry_Doi_x/s1600/DSC_9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqs4jiHmP7VcxgYMyLteGEcfd41OasLXKJJBEzU1CKfAb9b6WaZm1J25KuGIQZOIiOVwnKztqQ5I-15Zf8CxshESidngqDIAbciLaWCPy3UuOL4R5CpeSyI2tAh-U6ijFuhFOry_Doi_x/s320/DSC_9523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Růžička - The best in the Extraliga?<br />
Photo: Marian Ježowicz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Records don't get broken all that often. When in 2011, Martin Růžička broke Ziggy Pálffy's playoff points record which had stood for nineteen years, people knew that he was a special talent, possibly destined for better things than playing in Silesia. A KHL contract followed, and the 26 year old flew halfway across the world to ply his trade for Amur Khabarovsk, but alas things didn't work out all that great for him. Despite having two of the best Czechs in the KHL as teammates in the form of Jakub Petružálek and Petr Vrana, Růžička's tally of just 15 points in 33 games led many to believe that his miraculous playoff run was just a flash in the pan. However, he's back in Třinec, and boy has he still got it.<br />
<br />
There's nothing much better that signalling your arrival home than scoring six points in the first two games of the season. Růžička beat up on Pardubice and Karlovy Vary as the team better known as the Steelers quickly vaulted to the top of the Extraliga tree. Nothing is more endemic of just how good of a scorer Růžička is at Extraliga level than looking at his points picked up during the ten games played so far. Not only has he scored 12 goals, but he opened the season scoring in nine straight games, only being blanked in his side's most recent loss to Zlin on Sunday. Not since his 33 points in 18 playoff games in Třinec's 2011 Championship run has he scored at such a rate of knots.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgs_9LrjHp1LCKJ4xzi20lg_B0y1iD3WQPslqLnqSOm8wDhytE97cvqzVYGaMXX06SV7eRLwC_ihPOxd-5wwirXtgeX1D_NGB5VfKxRmldPva1vEFmzhDIdMFULb9SWPQN52GsYFM0OQ9/s1600/Martin_Ruzicka_2012-01-31_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgs_9LrjHp1LCKJ4xzi20lg_B0y1iD3WQPslqLnqSOm8wDhytE97cvqzVYGaMXX06SV7eRLwC_ihPOxd-5wwirXtgeX1D_NGB5VfKxRmldPva1vEFmzhDIdMFULb9SWPQN52GsYFM0OQ9/s320/Martin_Ruzicka_2012-01-31_2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KHL: A step too far?<br />
Photo: Wikimedia Commons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another feature of his play is his ability to single handedly dominate a game. In Třinec's 5:0 victory over České Budějovice a week ago, Růžička had a hand in all five goals, finding the net three times, and picking up assists on the other two. It was a performance reminiscent of Game 5 of the 2011 semi-final series against Slavia Praha, where on the brink of elimination, he found the net four times in a 6:1 victory for Třinec, turning the momentum around in the series as the Silesians would go on to win Games 6 and 7 and advance to the final after a stuttering start against Slavia.<br />
<br />
For many, that playoff performance was his great 'introduction' into the upper echelons of Czech hockey. His first entry in a journal which could possibly span for a good 8-10 years more. However, many will know that this type of production has been expected from the Beroun native. Of course, no expected him to shatter Palffy's record in the way he did, but he had been on the cusp of the national team for a good number of years following his break-out year in 2009-10, where he scored 47 points in the regular season, after going scoreless in 11 playoff games the season before. This got his name noticed and gained him a spot on the Czech Republic roster for both the EuroHockeyTour and the World Championships, although he failed to really make a mark at either of these events.<br />
<br />
After all the notoriety of the lockout, with the likes of Jagr, Plekanec and Sobotka returning to the Extraliga, it might be strange to proclaim Růžička as the best player in the Extraliga. However, Růžička offers that something a little bit different. He's a gamechanger. A dynamic forward who can change the direction of a game in a split second. After a season of indifference last year, Třinec now sit in third, behind a Kometa Brno side not feeling the effects of a finals hangover, and Zlin, who always start well, but you can guarantee will not make it past the playoff quarter-finals come March. After a mammoth fall in his production last year, linemate and former NHL veteran Radek Bonk has blossomed once more, with 13 points in 10 games, and on pace for his best season since his return from the NHL back in 2009. Of course it can be argued now that Třinec are a one man team, and to use a football metaphor, he is very much like Robin van Persie was at Arsenal. However, he's a damn good player to be your solitary man. He may be overshadowed by the NHLers returning back to the Extraliga, and looking at performances, players like Plekanec have been scoring for fun. However the threat of the lockout ending will loom over Kladno and other teams for the remainder of the season, and even then, I believe that come playoff time, Růžička will out-perform any of the NHLers (if they are still in the league, that is.)<br />
<br />
Who knows what the future holds for him, as if he continues in this rich vein of form, surely offers from Russia or Switzerland will winging their way to the 26 year old. For the moment though, Třinec won't care, as in Růžička they have the best player in the Extraliga, and could very well be on their way to a second championship in three years.<br />
<br />
<b>Around the league:</b><br />
Although we are only ten games into the season, a look at the Extraliga table is fascinating. After running away with the President's Trophy last year, HC Sparta Praha sit rooted to the bottom of the table with only five points. The season seemed to start out okay as they picked up two straight wins, but then the wheels have fallen off. Eight straight losses have put the capital side rooted to the bottom of the table. Michal Neuvirth has lost all of the six games he's started in, whilst Petr Ton is "slumping" with only eight points in ten games.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSDSL9G01p1ApMcJXaeaodqlOxmjRpXyTRcTGaDO7OsVgCKKo6QW-uslc4cg21bzrdAsAnjzk8WBqsuT2Wmw1QiT9sYJiALeZUkEpBlGn9s6a8BLM4Q90wFc6DPbWvqcLXScyw_sMiOOK/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSDSL9G01p1ApMcJXaeaodqlOxmjRpXyTRcTGaDO7OsVgCKKo6QW-uslc4cg21bzrdAsAnjzk8WBqsuT2Wmw1QiT9sYJiALeZUkEpBlGn9s6a8BLM4Q90wFc6DPbWvqcLXScyw_sMiOOK/s320/IMG_1266.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chomutov's goaltending tandem<br />
Photo: Jan Pidrman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, for a number of other big teams, the 2012-13 season has been a cruel one so far. Bílí Tygři Liberec have had a shocker of a start, and are only three points better off than Sparta. With arguably the best goaltending duo in the league on paper in Marek Pinc and Ondřej Pavelec, and the return of Petr Nedvěd, big things were expected of the White Tigers, but they have flattered to deceive. Pavelec's stats are mindblowing bad. A 4.62 GAA and a 0.863 save percentage were not what the club. and the fans, would have expected. He's falling into Lukas Sablik territory.<br />
<br />
While Kometa are looking as fresh as a daisy at the top of the table, their opponents in last years final HC Pardubice are still looking drunk from the party. Wallowing in ninth place, the losses of Jan Kolar and Petr Koukal look all the more devastating the way they have looked in front of goal. The reigning champions have looked nothing of the sort so far, but you would be a fool to count out Pardubice, no matter how bad they appear to be at the moment.<br />
<br />
However, it would be wrong to just focus on the bad. After three truly awful seasons, have Litvinov finally turned the corner? Currently they sit in sixth place, and finally look to have picked up some solid netminding as 22 year old youngster Pavel Francouz looks to have made his name in the Extraliga. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up, and whether or not they wheel Jiří Šlégr out of retirement one more time. Still, if Viktor Hübl continues with his incredible scoring pace, then they probably wouldn't need him! Another team defying expectations is KLH Chomutov, not least the fact that they seem to be playing remarkably well defensively. Veteran Slovak netminder Matúš Kostúr is looking a worldbeater with his .954 save percentage at the moment. However the season is still young, and they could still soon get 'found out' at the top level. Radek Duda still looks to be as good as ever, and the performances of Extraliga veteran David Hruška have been extraordinary. With seven goals, he's joint second in the top scorers race.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp4jgj6KOFsSMochk5C69Wb-uBI5LYR09mQrmCTA844fWbVOIGQkiVwChBFdZYCafaokSJryO_vpmaGiINWvXD4KUE-RkBhH5E4w5OgrVwFbHhL0WSzFTM8RMVZWi-519seMww8Kd8WVI/s1600/IMG_8243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp4jgj6KOFsSMochk5C69Wb-uBI5LYR09mQrmCTA844fWbVOIGQkiVwChBFdZYCafaokSJryO_vpmaGiINWvXD4KUE-RkBhH5E4w5OgrVwFbHhL0WSzFTM8RMVZWi-519seMww8Kd8WVI/s320/IMG_8243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dominik Pacovsky - The only light<br />
in a dark season for Sparta so far<br />
Photo: hc-kometa.cz</td></tr>
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For the past number of seasons, the Extraliga has become somewhat of an old geezers league, not least because most of the prime Czech talent in Europe between the ages of 24-32 gets swallowed up by either the KHL, NLA or Scandinavia. Despite the likes of Tomáš Vlasák and Radek Bonk in the top scorers charts, there are a couple of relatively younger players who are certainly impressing. Leading the charge for Kometa at the moment is Jakub Svoboda. The 22 year old who bagged 15 points in last seasons playoffs currently has 14 points in 10 games so far, and is one of a trio of Svoboda's leading the charge for the side from the second city. Thank goodness Coach Venera doesn't put them all on one line. Another 22 year old who broke out last season and is keeping up the good work is Jan Kovář. The Plzeň forward bagged 51 points last season, and has racked up 12 so far. Very much a playmaker, he'll be key to Martin Straka's teams fortunes this year. One player who has impressed despite his teams rotten performances has been Dominik Pacovský of Sparta. Also 22 years of age, he got his first regular shift in the Extraliga last year, picking up 27 points, and is currently his teams top scorer with 10 points. We seem to see it every year, and once again, due to lack of budget, Zlin continue to pump out brilliant young forwards who make an almost instantaneous splash in the Extraliga. Last years hotshot Petr Holik may have struggled to find the net, but he does have seven assists to his credit, and this year, it looks like Antonín Honejsek will be the one to watch. The 21 year old returned to the Extraliga last year after a spell in the WHL, and after taking a while to adjust to the rigours of Extraliga hockey, the summer looks to have produced a completely different player, as he has 8 points so far, and looks to be another great Zlin prospect.<br />
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And finally, a special mention to Kometa's Jan Hruška. While no spring chicken at the age of 26, the Brno native has been waiting a long time for his shot at Extraliga hockey, spending a large amount of time between Hradec Kralove in the 1.liga and Technicka Brno in the 2.liga. However, after a very good season in Slovakia for Skalica last year, his hometown side Kometa Brno decided to take a punt on the centre, and their gamble looks to have paid off dividends. Sitting with 12 points (6+6) through ten games, Hruška looks to be another shrewd signing by the Kometa management, who have done wonders ever since the team moved up from the 1.liga.<br />
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The lockout may be overshadowing some of the performances by players mentioned, but in Europe's most competitive league, it remains the domestic Czech players who are putting on the performances that are making this the best league in the world to watch.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-85738114580256570022012-09-28T08:04:00.000-07:002012-09-28T08:19:09.755-07:00CZ/SK Lockout update: Jágr's Kladno steals the headlines.With the NHL Lockout seemingly stretching from September into October, European hockey is buzzing with the news of locked out NHLers in many cases returning 'home' to play in their domestic leagues. The Czech Extraliga has been one of the most active leagues in the lockout, with a grand total of 18 NHLers taking up spots in the highest level of Czech domestic hockey. The Czech Republic's greatest ever play, Jaromir Jágr, has stolen most of the headlines so far, as the Czech's favourite son returned to lace them up for his hometown team, Rytíři Kladno. Incidentally, Jágr is also an owner of Kladno. However, Jágr is just one of a plethora of NHL stars now on the Kladno roster, as another Kladno native, Montreal Canadiens forward Tomáš Plekanec joined up. Plekanec is currently the top scorer in the Extraliga, racking up 11 points (6+5) in just four games. In comparison, Jágr has been somewhat subdued, with 9 points (2+7) in the same amount of games. Most recently, Plekanec scored a hatrick in a 6:3 rout of Pardubice, which has helped Kladno climb up to fourth place in the Extraliga, after beginning the season with three straight losses. Also featuring on the Kladno roster is another forward, Jiří Tlustý as well as veteran defencemen Tomáš Kaberle and Marek Zidlicky, who have been paired together on the powerplay.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_kT_EkuoG3trDKH7oY5IABs3hIZjHA5nrrQo2J1F48RLy3o496AmcvMmYigtBCUIin0w_QHrwjMtmnecrfW92r5hJhu-EXpjJqZJHVB365nNXbIaEdCMyQCjScj5f0h1pWOerQNrlh3/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_kT_EkuoG3trDKH7oY5IABs3hIZjHA5nrrQo2J1F48RLy3o496AmcvMmYigtBCUIin0w_QHrwjMtmnecrfW92r5hJhu-EXpjJqZJHVB365nNXbIaEdCMyQCjScj5f0h1pWOerQNrlh3/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaromir Jágr salutes the travelling faithful at the o2.<br />Photo: Josef Poláček</td></tr>
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The furore around Jágr and Kladno has been so intense that the club has decided to move their home games to the o2 Arena in Prague, which is where HC Slavia Praha usually play their home games. In all seriousness it is not that preposterous, as Kladno is only just over 30km from Prague itself, plus the club is providing free transportation for all ticket holders coming from Kladno. Also, if the crowds continue to flock in their droves to watch the games, then long will it continue. Kladno have played two games at the o2 Arena so far, but over 15,000 attended each of the games. It is interesting to note that while HC Lev Praha, just across the city at the Tipsport Arena, are struggling to get over 6,000 to their games, that Kladno, playing in Prague, are getting well over double the crowds. It certainly was strange seeing Slavia playing as the away side at the o2 Arena last Wednesday, as Kladno brought forward their home game with Slavia and played it at the o2. However, it wasn't the debut that Jágr and his comrades were hoping for, as Slavia managed to snatch a 3:2 victory, with more than a little help from their locked out NHLers.<br />
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Last season was an awful one for Slavia, their worst in a long time. However, optimism is somewhat high after the club managed to nab Vladimir Sobotka and Roman Červenka. The latter was due to begin his rookie season for the Calgary Flames this year, after two very productive seasons with Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Červenka comes back to the Extraliga after two seasons away. His last campaign, in 2009/10 saw him single handedly carry Slavia to the semi finals. He won the scoring title by a mammoth 18 points, and had more than double the amount of points of anyone else on the Slavia roster. Červenka and Sobotka were paired with Slavia's main off-season acquisition, Jaroslav Kalla, in the game against Kladno, and both of the locked out NHLers had 1+2. However, Slavia still only sit in 10th place, as both Červenka and Sobotka have only added a point each since, and Slavia's anaemic offence has only managed to find the back of the net 10 times in 6 games. Still, if it's any consolation, they are still ahead of fierce rivals Sparta, who signed the extremely average looking Michal Neuvirth, whose save percentage is under .900.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vladimir Sobotka (red) flattering to deceive with Slavia<br />Photo: Petr Vančura</td></tr>
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Sitting at the top of the Extraliga tree so far is HC Oceláři Třinec, who have won five out of their six games so far. However, they have barely made a splash compared to the likes of Kladno, as they have only brought in Rostislav Klesla. Still, they did manage to bring back Martin Růžička, who has picked up where he left off after the 2011 playoff run, as the flashy forward has already found the back of the net seven times. Interestingly, sitting at the bottom of the table are Bílí Tygři Liberec and HC Pardubice. Petr Nedvěd's Liberec, who promise so much every year yet always fall short, have got off to a dreadful start picking up just three points in six games. Liberec signed defenceman Ladislav Smid and netminder/drunk driver Ondřej Pavelec to lockout deals, but they have yet to shine, with Pavelec being far outplayed by the mercurial Marek Pinc as of now. Even Nedvěd is having a shocker by his standards, scoring only 3 points in 5 games to go along with a -5 rating. On his showing so far, he made the right decision not to make the move to HC Lev.<br />
<br />
One place above Nedvěd's flounderers are last seasons champions HC Pardubice, who have forward Aleš Hemský and Jakub Kindl on their roster, as well as the distinct possibility of also grabbing David Krejčí, although insurance issues have been stalling the deal so far. Pardubice, who are desperate to become the first team to retain the Extraliga title since Sparta did it in 2007, are certainly experiencing the winner's hangover on their showings so far, although the losses of Petr Koukal and Jan Kolář to Neftekhimik in the KHL gutted the team of two top quality first liners. Pavel Brendl, their big summer signing, has been dreadful so far, putting up a paltry two points from five games. Martin Růžička's goals against average isn't looking too healthy when it's pushing four as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtWw0hpHNJ5IhVLCQfnrArOL3yRldJuPhJ8tGwR9ZEUr4lNgVE_EIN5dZpTSpxO6vUL6rZW36O2b2eLQLB_JtMTZ-cIPHADBFvuJjKPxyxy-HOah4_4WbOqAC78Ed9U83sYb8FRg6lq9H/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtWw0hpHNJ5IhVLCQfnrArOL3yRldJuPhJ8tGwR9ZEUr4lNgVE_EIN5dZpTSpxO6vUL6rZW36O2b2eLQLB_JtMTZ-cIPHADBFvuJjKPxyxy-HOah4_4WbOqAC78Ed9U83sYb8FRg6lq9H/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petr Nedvěd and Ondřej Pavelec both need<br />to be better for Liberec<br />Photo: Joerg Stephan</td></tr>
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Extraliga new boys Piráti Chomutov are doing well in eighth, and will only improve with the lockout acquisition of Michael Frolik, and the indirect lockout affected transfer of Radek Duda, who was released by Geneve-Servette to make room for locked out NHLers. Duda, arguably more renowned for his antics off-ice rather than on them, is still a top quality addition to a roster that looks big on grit but low on top end talent. If they can add a better goalie (Slovak press was hinting that Slovan outcast Ville Hostikka could be on his way), then making the playoffs should be an achievable goal. Martin Straka's Skoda Plzeň, who are the San Jose Sharks of the Extraliga, made their moves later than most teams, but certainly strengthened their team with the addition of Tuukka Rask in goal, as well as adding Michal Rozsival on the backend. České Budějovice added Canadian Andrew Ferrence and Radek Martinek to their defensive unit. Both incidentally played for the club in the last lockout. Lets hope Ferrence won't flip off the Czech crowds like he did in Bruins colours. The club will need him as the injury struck Jakub Kovář will likely have at least another month on the sidelines. Finally, Vitkovice penned Roman Polak and Pavel Kubina, with the Ostrava side desperate to move up from their current ninth place standing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AeXQLboYC557u50sJDrVZbIz8JDJJjQmJ-MpvLRvq4tFLfApXf3qoa0xA47bRVI61q_OfbcjoO87FgYPfCjn2SyR4nceQ47tJQ_qLZadr-CHPgeq9tgDGvLJoJ-jawsg_ZtNFyFYbvf/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_AeXQLboYC557u50sJDrVZbIz8JDJJjQmJ-MpvLRvq4tFLfApXf3qoa0xA47bRVI61q_OfbcjoO87FgYPfCjn2SyR4nceQ47tJQ_qLZadr-CHPgeq9tgDGvLJoJ-jawsg_ZtNFyFYbvf/s320/2.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ľubomír Višňovský celebrates<br />his goal against Avangard<br />Photo: Ján Skalican/Ziakoo</td></tr>
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There is also obvious KHL interest in locked out players, and the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk have all headed back to their native land to lace up for Dinamo Moscow, SKA St. Petersburg and CSKA Moscow respectively. However, both HC Lev Praha and Slovan Bratislava have also jumped on the lock out bandwagon, and both have made some solid acquisitions. Lev bolstered their scoring ranks, signing Jiří Hudler and Jakub Voráček for the duration of the lockout. Voráček has certainly impressed, scoring four points in four games, including a beauty of an assist on his debut against Avangard Omsk. Lev certainly needed some forward help though, as apart from free scoring Jakub Klepiš, they have lacked consistent scoring from their forward ranks. Slovan Bratislava were not to be outshone by their Czech rivals, who sit a remarkable first in the Western Conference with 7 wins in 10 games. Slovan first put pen to paper to sign Ľubomír Višňovský. The former Slovan junior has already made his mark, shoring up Slovan's defence, with the club currently on a five game winning streak which has seen them move up to third in the Western Conference. He also bagged a goal on his debut against Avangard Omsk. The club has also managed to come to an agreement with another top quality Slovak defenceman, as Andrej Sekera will soon join up with the club.<br />
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Last but not least, a quick mention for Tomáš Tatar, the only NHL player at the moment who has taken up a place in the Slovak Extraliga, playing for the league's new boys, ŠHK 37 Piešťany. He was part of the roster which sent shockwaves through the Extraliga following his side's 8:2 demolition of HK36 Skalica, a side featuring a number of players in the Slovan system. However, his side were humbled 9:5 by HC Košice two days later. Tatar currently has four points in three games. It is interesting to note how hockey has changed in Slovakia, as the last lockout saw Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa line up for Dukla Trenčín, Višňovský and Miroslav Šatan play for Slovan, Ziggy Pálffy for Skalica, Richard Zednik and Michal Handzus lace up for Zvolen, and even Ladislav Nagy played for Košice. Still, I guess that's a story for another day.<br />
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The lockout will once again increase knowledge of European competitions, if only for a few months, but it's certain that the Czech Extraliga, already incredibly competitive, will benefit (from an entertainment point of view) from the influx of Czech NHL talent to the league. It's a boost that the league desperately needs.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-55397125467639925662012-08-14T02:09:00.002-07:002012-08-14T02:13:08.075-07:00Sweden downs Slovakia in opening game of Ivan Hlinka MemorialThe good memories of the U18 World Championships in Piešťany back in April wouldn't be repeated in the opening game of the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, as the heavily favoured Swedish side put in a professional performance to defeat the Slovak side 7:3.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovakia rallied in the third, but Sweden's dominant <br />offence was too much for Slovakia to handle<br />Photo: Mário Petlák via hokejportal.sk</td></tr>
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Slovakia can be pleased with certain aspects of their performance, but Sweden's superior quality, especially their strength in depth, was far too much for the Slovak side to handle. Slovakia were a side already smarting after the expulsion of talented young forward Martin Réway, who was asked to leave the team by head coach Anton Bartánus for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. This is not the first time that Réway's behaviour has got him into trouble, and now the team will pay the price, as the young Gatineau Olympiques forward was set to be Slovakia's bright light on the forward lines for the tournament.<br />
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As it happens, the Swedes were able to control the game from start to finish, restricting Slovakia to very few chances, and giving them very little time in the offensive zone. Sweden had 48 shots to Slovakia's paltry 16, and although he conceded seven, netminder Denis Godla made a number of important saves, especially in the early going. The goal was inevitable, but it took fourteen minutes for Sweden to break the deadlock, as Victor Crus-Rydberg managed to make Godla move first before firing the puck home. It only took two minutes for Sweden to double their advantage, this time defenceman Robert Hägg was the player on target, as the defenceman's point shot was too hot to handle.<br />
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Unfortunately for the home fans, the second period was more of the same, and in the opening minute of the frame, Sweden stretched their lead to three. After marvellous play by Julius Bergman, Victor Öhman found the net whilst on the penalty kill to set the tone for the rest of the period. The Swedes would score once more before Slovakia would finally get on the board, as on the powerplay, Swedish based Adam Kasanický's point shot on the powerplay scorched the twine, giving the players and fans something to cheer about. It came after coach Bartánus had called a time-out, and started a period of where Slovakia started to play better hockey. However, once again the Swedish offence was simply too good, and after the Slovaks overcommitted in the Swedish zone, they were made to pay, as André Burakovsky finished off the counter-attack.<br />
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With the score at 5:1, the Slovaks had little more to play for than pride, but they did improve as a team throughout the game. Jacob de la Rose made it 6:1 to Sweden, but a minute later, Slovakia scored their second goal of the game, as Róbert Lantoš pounced on an error of judgement by the Swedish defence, and went in alone on goal and fired home. Two minutes later and the score was 6:3, as great effort by Simon Beták on the forecheck created time and space for him to score. However, there was to be no miraculous comeback, and with two minutes to go, the Swedes would have the last word, as Alexander Henriksson scored on a penalty shot.<br />
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The result was disappointing, but if Slovakia can build on their third period performance then they may spring a surprise or two as the tournament progresses, although they will have to get their act together sooner rather than later, as they face Switzerland today in the battle to finish third in the group.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-32439346119126217532012-08-02T05:48:00.002-07:002012-08-02T06:11:26.807-07:00Exploring new waters: A look at the Czech Extraliga's newest team.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbAPB4dfz4p9sLBRCNCS2laYuSBBq_Byje3hQFgTjDUcfkDMCCR3IqZ06E7rKY763KiA21XKSqRm6F7yjoCnej43SJREUBp2hfeisxsgpUosK04UBUhojNnXuzTRsYu5Hj2NC58Zn-Fz/s1600/full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbAPB4dfz4p9sLBRCNCS2laYuSBBq_Byje3hQFgTjDUcfkDMCCR3IqZ06E7rKY763KiA21XKSqRm6F7yjoCnej43SJREUBp2hfeisxsgpUosK04UBUhojNnXuzTRsYu5Hj2NC58Zn-Fz/s320/full.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The re-branded Piráti Chomutov side get their<br />
first crack at the Extraliga in over half a century<br />
Photo: vysocina-news.cz</td></tr>
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After three rotten years propping up the table, it was high time that BK Mladá Boleslav were relegated and gave the 1.liga champions from 2011-2012, Piráti Chomutov, a crack at the elite level for the first time in almost half a century. The club, who were re-branded in the run up to the 2011-2012 from the old KLH Chomutov side have had an awful lot of money pumped into them over the past two seasons, and after defeating HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi in seven games in the 1.liga final, went on to defeat Mladá Boleslav in the relegation playoff.<br />
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It was fitting for Piráti, who moved into a new 5,250 seater arena at the beginning of the 2011 season, to get promoted to the Extraliga, as it marks a rapid rise from relative obscurity to now becoming one of the biggest up and coming teams in the Czech Republic. If the backing continues then they could perhaps even follow in the footsteps of HC Kometa Brno, who reached the Czech Extraliga playoff final last season.<br />
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Last season was always a two horse race between 1.liga stalwarts HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi and Piráti, as they raced ahead of the rest of the pack in the Czech second tier. Eventually Slovan finished the season as the regular season champions, with Piráti trailing 12 points behind in second place. Fifteen years ago, the Chomutov franchise was playing in the depths of the 2.liga, and they were lucky in order to secure a 1.liga license in 1997. From the get go, Chomutov were able to make their mark in the Czech second tier, being runners up in 1999-2000, before being victorious the season later, winning the final series against HC Liberec 3:0. However, that alone is not enough to get promoted, and they ended up facing Karlovy Vary in the relegation playoff, where the Extraliga side were victorious.<br />
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Thus followed a barren spell, with the team consistently making the playoffs, but often falling in the early stages. 2009-2010 saw Chomutov victorious in the 1.liga playoffs for the second time in their history, but once again they couldn't win the relegation playoff, going down to Mladá Boleslav. However, fast forward two seasons and Chomutov would be able to reverse the result against Mladá Boleslav, as the 1.liga side won the series 4:3.<br />
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The 1.liga final against HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi was one to remember, as the teams went back and forth with three of the games going to overtime, including a thrilling 7:6 overtime victory for Piráti in Game 3. After five games, Slovan had a 3:2 advantage, but Chomutov were able to rally back for a 4:1 victory on home ice in Game 6, setting up a thrilling winner take all Game 7 in Usti nad Labem. This game would also go to overtime with the score poised at 2:2. Step forward Jakub Grof.<br />
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That goal by Grof sealed the championship victory for Piráti in great style. However, as they have already experienced, that would not be enough to get them to the Czech Republic's top table. Mladá Boleslav awaited, and once again the series would go to seven games. Mlada Boleslav seemed able to pull back the deficit at each step, winning Game 6 to take the series to a seventh game. However, David Hruška's second period goal would turn out to be the series winner as Chomutov won Game 7 to the delight of the travelling fans.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Hruška is no stranger <br />
to the Extraliga<br />
Photo: Jan Pidrman</td></tr>
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So where do Chomutov stand now? Well, looking at their roster for the coming season, the top line is a who's who of past Extraliga stars. David Hruška will return to the Extraliga for the second time after leaving Slavia in 2010 to move to Chomutov. Hruška, who is now 35 and with five Extraliga titles to his name scored 55 points last season, and his performances on loan at Karlovy Vary in 2010-2011 show that he can still contribute at the top level. Also on their roster is Milan Kraft. The former Pittsburgh Penguin had a 56 point season last year, but has yet to flourish in the Extraliga following his return from North America. 35 year old Milan Procházka is another with considerable Extraliga experience who makes the move up from the 1.liga, as well as netminder Milan Řehoř, who was simply sensational through the playoffs, and fully deserves his shot at the Extraliga.<br />
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The club have made some interesting signings going into the new season as well. Former HK36 Skalica star Miroslav Zálešák moves to the Extraliga after captaining HC Košice in the Slovak Extraliga last season, whilst their defence has been boosted by the acquisitions of Martin Rygl and Martin Lučka, the latter on loan from PSG Zlín. Another on loan from Zlín is Michal Důras, who can certainly contribute at the Extraliga level, and will be looking to bounce back from a pretty poor season with Zlín last year. As it happens, overtime hero in the 1.liga final Jakub Grof won't be there to take his place in the Extraliga, as he has moved on to the Landshut Cannibals in the 2.Bundesliga.<br />
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There is no doubt that it is going to be a struggle for Piráti next season, as from the look of their roster so far, they do need a bit more talent added in each area if they aim to make the playoffs next season. It does appear that they are looking for a consolidation year in 2012-2013, with the hopes that the large attendances which they stand to gain will help them boost their finances. Over 3,000 showed up for the clubs European Trophy game against HC Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, and this should be a great boost to the club.<br />
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However, as is the way in a league which has the risk of relegation, their period of consolidation may not be enough to help them survive, as HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi can attest to, as they only survived one Extraliga season on their last trip up to the country's top division.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-44017172085296070922012-08-01T03:53:00.003-07:002012-08-01T04:01:04.368-07:00Keeping heads afloat: Slovak hockey's long summerAs the long summer days slowly start to wind down, and players and coaches alike return to the rinks, it's time to start looking back on the summer that was, which in turn was one of conflict and strife in many corners of Slovakia's domestic hockey market. A number of teams have changed divisions, while money problems created by the Eurozone crisis really bit hard on a number of the smaller market teams. However, even some of the big names in the Extraliga were touched by financial woes, with the Poprad side still not out of the water as of yet.<br />
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So let us start with the Extraliga, which saw arguably it's biggest club depart the league in search of bigger and better things. HC Slovan Bratislava, after winning their first championship for four years decided that the Extraliga was no longer for them, and managed to make the jump to the KHL. There had been rumblings for a while that the club from the capital was looking to expand outwards from the Extraliga, and with the success that they had not only on the ice, but off the ice after the reconstruction of the Ondrej Nepala stadium turned out to be a smart move. With increased capacity of over 10,000, and spirits high after the Slovak Extraliga championship, as well as the silver medal achieved by the national team, Slovan are in a good place at the moment in Slovakian terms, although their tight budget constrictions could hinder their KHL form.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knows what the future holds for Košice<br />Photo: Ziakoo.sk/hokejportal.sk</td></tr>
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HC Košice, who have been the most successful club in Slovakia over the past five years will be smarting after their run of three straight championships game to an end in 2012. Košice, who have apparently been looking into "two central European alternatives" this off-season look like they are set to try and reclaim their Slovak Extraliga crown, but the future after that is far less clear. At the start of the summer, before Slovan made the jump to the KHL, a proposal was made to allow Slovan and Košice into the Czech Extraliga, creating a "Czechoslovak Extraliga". However, this proposal was rejected by 13 of the 14 teams, citing extra travel costs as a key concern (<a href="http://hokej.idnes.cz/extraliga-se-slovaky-nebude-ceske-kluby-navrh-na-rozsireni-zamitly-1pg-/hokej.aspx?c=A111124_130800_hokej_elv">link</a>). A couple of years ago, the prospect of a Slovak team joining the EBEL would have been laughable, but with a weaker Extraliga after the departure of Slovan, it may just be that Košice could end up in the Central European EBEL after all. Featuring teams from Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia, the EBEL has spawned into a mid-tier league which is starting to grow in terms of the calibre of players joining the league, which may just make it more appealing for the side from Eastern Slovakia. It certainly seems that the KHL is out of reach. At least for now.<br />
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For Dukla Trenčín, most of their concerns have been around having a rink to play in. A huge ammonia leak in the main arena has rendered the rink unsafe for now, but there were major issues over whether or not the local government will have the funds available to embark on the repair work, which was estimated to be at €55,000. However, the city of Trenčín have seemed to have taken control of the Pavol Demitra Arena as of late, after the team had been forced to practice on the rink owned by Marian Gaborik, as well as the local rink in nearby Dubnica. Mayor Richard Rybníček has offered to lease the arena to the Dukla club for just one euro for training sessions and matches, as well as putting up the money for the repair costs, in order to secure Extraliga hockey in Trenčín for the coming season. The city claims that the arena will be repaired by late August (<a href="http://sport.sme.sk/c/6465045/dukla-sa-nemusi-stahovat-trencin-zadotuje-stadion.html">link</a>).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poprad went from KHL & Slovak hockey to<br />almost no hockey this offseason<br />Photo: easternconferences.wordpress.com</td></tr>
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However, other clubs have not been so lucky. Poprad, who have been reeling following the move of the HC Lev franchise to Prague after just one year in the Slovak mountain city have had huge financial problems in the run up to the coming season. After their Extraliga season, all contracts with players to the club expired, leaving the club without any players, as executive director Tibor Turan claimed, "I will not sign any players, if I do not have the money" (<a href="http://www.hokej.sk/extraliga/clanok99740-Poslanci_odsuhlasili_trencianskej_Dukle_prispevok_70tisic_eur.htm?">link</a>). A lack of sponsorship, especially within Poprad has left the team strapped for cash, as Turan claimed that last season, 65% of the teams sponsorship money came from outside Poprad, and this summer seems to have changed little. However, the latest news coming out of Poprad is that they will be able to field a team for next season, as they have already scheduled pre-season games, as well as being included on the fixture lists for the coming season.<br />
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Another with money problems going into the season was MHC Martín. One of the smallest clubs in the Extraliga, Martín, who have missed the playoffs for the last two seasons have struggled to keep a hold of a number of their players, but finally this week started to begin pre-season preparations with a new head coach Róbert Pukalovič, featuring a team mainly made up of junior and local players. Despite this, it does seem that Martín have managed to gather enough money together for the coming season, although their prospects are quite bleak. It is also worth mentioning HK Skalica, who have entered an agreement with Slovan which will allow a number of players to be loaned down to the Extraliga club who don't make Slovan's KHL roster. At present, Andrej Kudrna, Adam Trenčan and Peter Trška have been sent down to Skalica.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New beginnings for Piešťany in the Extraliga<br />Photo: Laco Duračka/shk37piestany.sk</td></tr>
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However, there are more teams than Slovan embarking on new adventures next season. After initially toying with the prospect of playing in the EBEL, former 1.liga side ŠHK 37 Piešťany have moved up to the Extraliga, replacing the Bratislava side's spot in the Slovakian top tier. Piešťany, who won the 1.liga in 2009 and 2010 will face a tough task in next years Extraliga, but they have picked up a couple of good players with Extraliga experience. Another team moving onto pastures new are HK Nove Zamky, who have entered the MOL Liga, which features Hungarian and Romanian clubs. Interesting, one of the main reasons that Marián Lukáčik claims moved Nove Zamky to the MOL Liga was due to the new junior rules in the Extraliga, which forbids overagers from playing in the junior leagues. He hopes that by having Nove Zamky in the MOL Liga, it will allow these 21 and 22 year olds will develop better than being dropped in at the deep end in the Slovakian professional leagues, while also the cost of playing in the league is much lower (<a href="http://www.hcnovezamky.sk/clanok/168">link</a>). Another looking to enter the MOL Liga were Slovak talent factory HK 38 Dubnica. The club from Pavol Demitra's home town have consistently struggled with securing top level senior hockey in the town, whilst losing many of their best players to the nearby Dukla Trenčín side. However, the SZLH refused to grant permission for Dubnica to join the MOL Liga, while allowing Nove Zamky to enter the international competition. The reasons why Dubnica were not allowed to join the league are rumoured to be due to being unable to secure the merger between the 'new' HK 38 side and the old MHK Dubnica. The outfit look set to take part in the 2.liga next season.<br />
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So, another summer of turmoil in Slovakian hockey, which sadly seems to be nothing new. Who knows what the next year will have in store, and although I always try to put a positive spin on things, I am struggling to find anything 'good' about the situation that Slovak hockey finds itself in at this current stage. Maybe things will change, but sadly it seems that the success of the national team at the World Championships may be a failed success if nothing is done by the government or the SZLH.Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-81202828412627043982012-07-27T02:04:00.000-07:002012-07-27T02:12:40.831-07:00Staying at home or making the jump.It's a question that has certainly been getting more heated over the past couple of years, especially in countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic, whose junior programs are certainly nowhere near as successful as they were a decade or two earlier. Numerous young players are making their way over in droves, and last season saw a total of 33 Czechs playing in the combined three leagues which make up the Canadian Hockey League, as well as a further 15 Slovaks. Not only does this mean a large amount of youngsters are moving away from home at an early age, playing in a foreign country, but it also deprives the junior leagues of often their best talent, which means that players who have missed their chance of getting to the CHL are stuck in lower quality junior leagues, or are forced to make the jump to professional hockey at an earlier stage than perhaps they would otherwise.<br />
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There are clearly both pros and cons to each side, but an interesting interview by the great SlovakProspects site (<a href="http://www.slovakprospects.com/zahranicne-juniorky/clanok/602-matus-matis-musim-byt-obojstranny-hrac">link</a>) with Matúš Matis, a 1993 born prospect who made the move to North America in 2009. He was then drafted by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL 18th overall in 2010. Matis would then go on to play 33 games with the Saguenéens 2010-11, scoring only three goals. He was then sent down to the GMHL and the Bradford Rattlers, where he had played in 2009-10, scoring 14 times in 12 games. The Saguenéens once again left Matis out of their plans last season, and the Košice born forward played in the second best American junior league, the NAHL.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0Rd1qnpwtdp2PPKZIYmL1O-1AG4Hle7ZHjK0jJeoSDF91bBYw7Lfhf0bARr19WJq70G0zsbNM1M6Cqw7C_bIkmID6qkF2NLc6h__uuaD6ky4e3QL5WRBaL89bz-8y8qwdWgpmQTuMjzZ/s1600/210387967-3486574_532.9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0Rd1qnpwtdp2PPKZIYmL1O-1AG4Hle7ZHjK0jJeoSDF91bBYw7Lfhf0bARr19WJq70G0zsbNM1M6Cqw7C_bIkmID6qkF2NLc6h__uuaD6ky4e3QL5WRBaL89bz-8y8qwdWgpmQTuMjzZ/s320/210387967-3486574_532.9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julius Sinkovic (left). A tale of unfulfilled potential?<br />
Photo: merkur-online.de</td></tr>
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Matis' situation isn't anything new, but it once again highlights how it can be the off ice pressures at such a young age which can derail careers. In the aforementioned SlovakProspects article, he talks of the complete lack of communication with the Francophone head coach of the Saguenéens. Matis could not speak French. There are also the differences in the training regiments, as the extra focus on individual training seems to go against what is preached at the Slovakian junior schools. Couple these off ice issues, with the huge stress of trying to impress NHL scouts in order to get drafted can often push a player to breaking point, and a number of players who spent their junior years in the CHL have often failed to shine when making the jump to professional hockey. Julius Sinkovic seemed to have all the tools to have a great career, and he made the jump to the QMJHL in 2006, scoring 50 points in his debut season with Val-d'Or, whilst having a great World Junior Championships with Slovakia. Fast forward six years, the Slovan Bratislava junior is now playing in the German fourth tier. Martin Bartos is another who looked like a star in the making in the QMJHL, scoring 81 points in 2006-2007 with Acadie-Bathurst Titan, to only then fail to make the grade with Vitkovice. He spent last year in the Austrian Nationalliga after bouncing around the 1.liga and 2.liga for a while.</div>
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There are always going to be different circumstances for different people though. For some players, the move to the CHL appears to have been one that has paid off. Marek Hrivík, who was an exceptional junior in the Žilina program made the move across the Atlantic, and has now secured himself an NHL contract after finishing his junior career and scoring a point per game in the AHL playoffs. Richard Paník and Jaroslav Janus were both part of the 2012 Calder Cup winning Norfolk Admirals team after finishing their junior careers and being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, it is too early to say whether these players will go on to meet the potential which they clearly have. Two players who seem to have benefited greatly from their experience in the more physical WHL have been the pair of <span style="background-color: white;">Košice born defencemen, Martin </span><span style="background-color: white;">Marinčin and Martin Gernát, the cornerstone of recent Slovakian national junior teams who are both in the Edmonton Oilers system. Another WHL star, Andrej Kudrna, who scored 82 points in 2010-11 has gone on to secure himself a KHL contract with HC Slovan Bratislava at the tender age of 21. </span></div>
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There is no doubt that there are potential advantages to going abroad to the CHL, not least the increasing exposure and in recent years, the better likelihood of getting drafted. However, it seems that the players that go on to pursue great things in the CHL are simply better than the majority of players that go over and try to chance it in the CHL. Players such as Hrivík, Kudrna, and Memorial Cup winner Tomáš Jurčo had extremely impressive junior numbers, and seem to have all the tools to make it at the next level. However, it seems for many players that aren't at that elite level, the move to the CHL can be one which has disastrous consequences. No doubt the exposure to different coaching styles, smaller ice, and increasing competition against their North American counterparts can be an exciting prospect for many, but for quite a few players, the move to the CHL fails at setting them up to make the jump to professional hockey. That is why there is many an argument tohave a player stay in their domestic leagues and slowly be blooded in the elite professional league.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sEooSFlaKKZzEF8RPDAJiH_9M-GoeFrQBYdJp4iQuQhmOAe8jS368LigpCEEmuKeF80W3j-81S4saYtNzxY45Azp2uliliDR6lqyVfLsa8IXTG-9KmQD1kecK6A0rhR3rvRNYP8ppA8T/s1600/matej_paulovic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sEooSFlaKKZzEF8RPDAJiH_9M-GoeFrQBYdJp4iQuQhmOAe8jS368LigpCEEmuKeF80W3j-81S4saYtNzxY45Azp2uliliDR6lqyVfLsa8IXTG-9KmQD1kecK6A0rhR3rvRNYP8ppA8T/s320/matej_paulovic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweden came calling for Matej Paulovič,<br />
but was it the right move?<br />
Photo: Andrej Čičman</td></tr>
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A player that seems to have benefited from this is Marko Daňo, who has progressively worked his way up through the Dukla Trenčín system, being given a chance in higher age groups as he grew as a player has seen him make his professional debut at the age of 16, sign a KHL contract at the age of 17, and be Slovakia's top scorer at the World Under 18 Division 1 Championships. There is obviously a long road ahead of him, but over the next two years it will be interesting to compare his progression with the likes of Martin Réway and Tomáš Török, with both of them looking set to make the jump across to the CHL. Another currently playing abroad is big bodied forward Matej Paulovič, who is currently playing in Sweden. However, <span style="background-color: white;">Paulovič really failed to shine when playing for the Slovakian side at the Under 18 World's, and next season will really be make or break for him.</span></div>
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Do I have a conclusion for what I think is best? Of course not. Each player and each person reacts to different situations in different ways. I believe that for the best young players, it doesn't matter the route that they take as I think they will get to the next level one way or another. However, I can't help thinking that the experience of playing in the Extraliga at the age of 17 or 18 goes a long way to helping a player bridge the gap between junior hockey and professional hockey. Even though he played a season in the WHL, Marian Hossa had already played a season of Extraliga hockey before that, while Marian Gaborik made the jump straight from the Extraliga to the NHL. Many people want the big chance to come quickly. To come on a plate. However, maybe the youngsters of today should be making their decisions more carefully, and take things a bit slower.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the juniors of today should take note. More haste, less speed.</div>Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-38475977541496758442012-07-20T08:19:00.000-07:002012-07-25T10:47:30.195-07:00Slovakia roster for Ivan Hlinka Memorial announced<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpuVndO4t_nS1RSmk69BBC-_AXvuWwXFa-kod15n0GnedkZYID3fJiqkQDoboQLbK70AOu0faMY8xbixFP3T9bmfDj4RJP7PI8Q5DmfSbFRXWzqVZEyE_qbzp0IxeoTKsReW_4RjNfhry/s1600/953ed2166d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpuVndO4t_nS1RSmk69BBC-_AXvuWwXFa-kod15n0GnedkZYID3fJiqkQDoboQLbK70AOu0faMY8xbixFP3T9bmfDj4RJP7PI8Q5DmfSbFRXWzqVZEyE_qbzp0IxeoTKsReW_4RjNfhry/s320/953ed2166d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovakia really struggled at last years Ivan Hlinka<br />
Memorial, finishing the tournament in 8th place.<br />
Photo: Erik Ďuriš</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Friday morning saw the roster for Slovakia's team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament confirmed, with no real surprises. The tournament, which is seen as the start of the scouting season for the 2013 NHL Draft will feature the best 1995 and 1996 born players in the world, who will look to stake their claim for a high draft spot next June.<br />
<br />
The tournament, which takes place between the 13th and the 18th of August in Piešťany and Břeclav never fails to disappointment, and often reveals some diamonds in the rough, especially from the lesser hockey nations.<br />
<br />
Anton Bartánus will coach the team, while the roster is as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>Goaltenders</b>:<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Denis Godla</b> </span><span style="background-color: white;">(Birth year: 1995/Club: HK Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Juraj Halo</b> (1995/HC Topoľčany, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Marek Mikoláš</b> (1995/MsHK Žilina, Slovakia),<br /></span><br />
<b>Defencemen</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Patrik Bačik</b> (1995/HC Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Martin Boboš</b> (1995/HC Košice, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Dávid Gál</b> (1995/HC Nitra, Slovakia),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Matúš Holenda</b> (1995/Dukla Trenčín, Slovakia),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Adam Kasanický</b> (1995/Luleå HF, Sweden),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Peter Kuzma</b> (1995/Dukla Trenčín, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Martin Pavlíček</b> (1995/HC Nitra, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Adrián Sloboda</b> (1996/HK 36 Skalica, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Michal Solár</b> (1995/MsHK Žilina, Slovakia),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>On reserve list:</b> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Mário Ramaj</b> (1995/HC ´05 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Stanislav Tomko</b> (1995/P.H.K. Prešov, Slovakia)</span><br />
<br />
<b>Forwards: </b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Martin Blaho</b> (1995/Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Peter Cehlárik</b> (1995/</span><span style="background-color: white;">Luleå HF, Sweden</span><span style="background-color: white;">), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Kristián Horvát</b> (1995/ P.H.K. Prešov, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Patrik Koyš</b> (1995/Dukla Trenčín, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Róbert Lantoši</b> (1995/MsHK Žilina, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Andrej Lištiak</b> (1995/MHk Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Matej Paulovič </b>(1995/BK Färjestad, Sweden), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Martin Pleša</b> (1995/HK 36 Skalica, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Dominik Rehák</b> (1995/MsHK Žilina, Slovakia), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Martin Reway</b> (1995/Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL, Canada),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Timotej Šille</b> (1995/HK 36 Skalica, Slovakia),<br /><b>Juraj Šiška</b> (1996/HC Nitra, Slovakia),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Dávid Šoltés</b> (1995/HC Košice, Slovakia),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Juraj Talán</b> (1995/PSG Zlín, Czech Republic),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Tomáš Török</b> (1995/Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL, Canada),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Róbert Varga</b> (1995/HK Trnava, Slovakia),</span><br />
<br />
<b>On reserve list:</b><br />
<b>Šimon Beták </b>(1995/HC Olomouc, Czech Republic),<br />
<b>Samuel Petráš </b>(1995/HC Slovan Bratislava),<br />
<br />
<br />
From this roster, it is clear that the biggest strength is the crop of young forwards. Both Réway and Török are heading to the QMJHL next season, and it is no surprise as they represent two of the top young players coming out of Slovakia. Török had a poor season, punctuated by injuries on his return to Slovakia after a very promising season with Slavia Praha in the Czech Republic in 2010-11, whilst Réway went in the opposite direction, shining in the very competitive Czech junior leagues for Sparta Praha. Also present at the Ivan Hlinka will be Patrik Koyš. After his first few seasons in the Slovakian junior program, Koyš was touted to become the next best thing out of Slovakia, but he has yet to meet the hype. He was overshadowed at the IIHF Division 1 Under 18 World Championships, being shunted on the lower lines as the team favoured the likes of Réway and also Marko Daňo. However, he is still two years away from being drafted, and will be looking to have a dominant in the U20 Extraliga. Another with a point to prove will be big bodied forward Matej Paulovič. <span style="background-color: white;">Paulovič, who moved to Sweden last season did well, earning a call up to the SuperElit, but struggled in international play for Slovakia. </span><br />
<br />
It should be an interesting tournament to gauge just to what level the next crop of Slovakian youngsters are at. However once again, it appears that there are 1-2 very good players, but as always, the depth simply isn't there.<br />
<br />Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154169622905782919.post-15957853090371997112012-07-17T10:44:00.001-07:002012-07-27T01:10:42.633-07:00Reway heads for Gatineau, whilst Dano stays at home.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM-epMti_r7rPIcE_hBxwP84zBbu0rze3FdSNvnBLz44PL4HXPu9L7buKGLow4Pm4p9_w4PiAH1AL9-F61NSNMdleravSnU_gE8h3SXTvqSD2IeCF_KmKod5giKCkR96xQaPwL0Wu9DeI/s1600/Martin-Reway0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM-epMti_r7rPIcE_hBxwP84zBbu0rze3FdSNvnBLz44PL4HXPu9L7buKGLow4Pm4p9_w4PiAH1AL9-F61NSNMdleravSnU_gE8h3SXTvqSD2IeCF_KmKod5giKCkR96xQaPwL0Wu9DeI/s1600/Martin-Reway0745.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh of winning gold with Slovakia-18, Martin<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Reway will move to Gatineau for the 2012/13 season</span><br />
Photo: qmjhl.ca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Highly skilled forward <b>Martin Reway</b> looks set to follow in the footsteps of many Slovak prospects before him and try his luck in the QMJHL next season. The Gatineau Olympiques will be Reway's team next season, as the Prague born forward leaves HC Sparta Praha and aims to increase his draft stock by playing in the top junior league in Quebec. Reway's path is the one heavily trodden by young Slovak players, who see their best chance of getting drafted to the NHL by playing at least one season in the Canadian Hockey League system. 15 Slovaks (both drafted and undrafted) played in the CHL last year, including 2011 second round pick to the Detroit Red Wings <b>Tomáš Jurčo</b>, who won the QMJHL championship for the second season in succession with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Also present in the QMJHL was undrafted forward <b>Marek Hrivík</b>, who earned an entry level contract with the New York Rangers following a very impressive season with the Moncton Wildcats.<br />
<br />
Reway will likely succeed in the QMJHL, a big reason being that it is significantly less physical than the other two Canadian junior leagues. The Prague native is still on the small side, weighing in at only 78kg, so will be introduced slowly onto the smaller ice surfaces and the North American style of play. Reway will likely be the first Slovak taken in the 2013, as the small, speedy forward boasts an array of offensive talent. His point totals at the recent IIHF Division 1 Under-18 World Championships were no doubt inflated by his incredible performance in the game against Norway, where he scored twice and had five assists in the 9:2 victory. While this championship was meant to be Reway's coming out party, it was in fact his team mate, and fellow 2013 prospect <b>Marko Daňo </b>who stole the headlines.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLipPCbzAYP9hN3Dd9dVh1S33hTQTSM83b0aUzIFUBugAGSwLvJxViSx5WmDjrraHcmsIvTUgM473GgRkADhQTAGwy3eOKNqoMXe1jV42h1mm8DPo44hDoVZFyJDZn7iSvgO0aY3kGubJ/s1600/dano_2_102625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLipPCbzAYP9hN3Dd9dVh1S33hTQTSM83b0aUzIFUBugAGSwLvJxViSx5WmDjrraHcmsIvTUgM473GgRkADhQTAGwy3eOKNqoMXe1jV42h1mm8DPo44hDoVZFyJDZn7iSvgO0aY3kGubJ/s320/dano_2_102625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marko Daňo looks set to shine for Slovan and Slovakia<br />
Photo: hcslovan.sk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Daňo, the son of former Slovakia national team player Jozef Daňo is slowly rising through the ranks and is now a highly touted prospect for the future. He was, like Reway, drafted by HC Slovan Bratislava in the 2012 KHL Draft (<span style="background-color: white;">Daňo went in the first round, Reway in the second), but instead of moving across the Atlantic, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo looks set to be staying in Slovakia, after penning a multi-year deal with the Bratislava based club. However, it is unlikely that the 17 year old forward will play for Slovan next year, with rumours suggesting he will be loaned back to his hometown Extraliga club </span><span style="background-color: white;">HK Dukla Trenčín.<br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Standing at 181cm and weighing in 83kg, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo is likely the most "NHL ready" out of recent Slovak prospects, and shone at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Alberta, where he played after just turning seventeen years old, even scoring a goal against Finland. Playing at the lower U-18 level, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo racked up the points, scoring 13 points (10+3) in the five games at the Division 1 World Championships.<br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">In an interview with on his new club's website (</span><a href="http://www.hcslovan.sk/novinky/z-kuchyne-slovana/marko-dano-bude-len-na-mne-ci-sa-prebojujem-do-muzstva.html" style="background-color: white;">link</a><span style="background-color: white;">),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo said: <i>"I had the chance to play overseas, in the WHL [he was taken 60th in the CHL Import Draft by the Prince George Cougars], but when the offer came in from the KHL I cancelled that and came here. The senior league is definitely better for me</i>".<br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Reway arguably has the higher potential upside, and will probably be taken in the top two rounds, it is fair to say that </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo doesn't trail far behind. Reway mixes above average skating with soft hands, which make him a netminder's nightmare. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Daňo may not have the footspeed of Reway, but he has already shown that he is not one to shy away from contact, and can put the puck in the net with alarming regularity.<br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Slovakia may not have produced a prospect to rival the likes of Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborík and the late Pavol Demitra in recent years, but in these two, along with the likes of Jurčo, 2010 NHL 2nd round pick </span><b style="background-color: white;">Richard Paník </b><span style="background-color: white;">as well as the likes of Hrivík and Marek Tvrdoň, there is some optimism in Slovak quarters that the well hasn't completely dried up just yet.</span>Jon Rowsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10349902939411642740noreply@blogger.com0