Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team
The Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of the Czech Republic. Since 2021, the team has been officially known in English as Czechia.[2] It is one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world and a member of the so-called "Big Six", the unofficial group of the six strongest men's ice hockey nations, along with Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States.[3][4] It is governed by the Czech Ice Hockey Association. The Czech Republic has 85,000 male players officially enrolled in organized hockey (0.8% of its population).[5]
| Association | Czech Ice Hockey Association |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Radim Rulík |
| Assistants | Jiří Kalous Tomáš Plekanec Marek Židlický |
| Captain | Roman Červenka |
| Most games | David Výborný (218) |
| Top scorer | Martin Procházka (61) |
| Most points | David Výborný (147) |
| Home stadium | O2 Arena |
| Team colors | |
| IIHF code | CZE |
| Ranking | |
| Current IIHF | 4 4 (27 May 2024)[1] |
| Highest IIHF | 2 (2006) |
| Lowest IIHF | 8 (2023) |
| First international | |
| Czech Republic 6–1 Russia (Stockholm, Sweden; 11 February 1993) | |
| Biggest win | |
| Czech Republic 11–0 Italy (Hanover, Germany; 6 May 2001) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Finland 7–0 Czech Republic (Stockholm, Sweden; 11 February 2012) | |
| IIHF World Championships | |
| Appearances | 31 (first in 1993) |
| Best result | Gold: (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2024) |
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 3 (first in 1996) |
| Best result | 3rd: (2004) |
| Olympics | |
| Appearances | 8 (first in 1994) |
| Medals | Gold: (1998) Bronze: (2006) |
| International record (W–L–T) | |
| 416–208–48 | |
History
The Czech national team was formed following the breakup of Czechoslovakia, as the country was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic was recognized as the successor to Czechoslovakia and retained in the highest pool (A), while Slovakia was required start international play in pool C. See also Post-Cold War period of the IIHF world championships.[6][7][8][9]
The Czechs won the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and won three straight gold medals at the world championships from 1999 to 2001.[10][11] In the next three years, the team did not get a medal at the world championships—not even home at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships held in Prague and Ostrava, thus keeping the "world championship home ice curse" alive. The following year, however, the Czechs won gold at the 2005 tournament, the only world championship where, due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate.
At the 2006 Winter Olympics, the Czechs won a bronze medal, defeating Russia 3–0 (roster) in the bronze medal game. At the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, the Czechs earned silver, falling to Sweden in the final, the only time the Czechs have lost the final game of the tournament. The Czech Republic won the 2010 World Championships in Germany. For the first time in history, the Czech Republic did not qualify for the quarterfinals at the 2022 Winter Olympics and finished in ninth place, their lowest placement in history.[12] However, they won a bronze medal at the 2022 IIHF World Championship later the same year, ending its longest medal drought in IIHF tournaments history, which had lasted since 2012. In 2023, the Czech Republic finished in eighth place at the World Championship, which is the worst placement in history. At the 2024 IIHF World Championship, they ended their 14-year gold drought after winning it for the first time since 2010, also as hosts.[13]
Tournament record
Olympic Games
| Games | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Finish | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–1992 | As part of Czechoslovakia | ||||||||||||
| 1994 Lillehammer | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 18 | Ivan Hlinka | Otakar Janecký | 5th place match | 5th | |
| 1998 Nagano | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 6 | Ivan Hlinka | Vladimír Růžička | Champions | ||
| 2002 Salt Lake City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | Josef Augusta | Jaromír Jágr | Quarter-finals | 7th | |
| 2006 Turin | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 20 | Alois Hadamczik | Robert Lang | Bronze Medal Game | ||
| 2010 Vancouver | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | 0 | 2 | 13 | 11 | Vladimír Růžička | Patrik Eliáš | Quarter-finals | 7th | |
| 2014 Sochi | 5 | 2 | 0 | – | 0 | 3 | 13 | 15 | Alois Hadamczik | Tomáš Plekanec | Quarter-finals | 6th | |
| 2018 Pyeongchang | 6 | 2 | 2 | – | 0 | 2 | 16 | 15 | Josef Jandač | Martin Erat | Bronze Medal Game | 4th | |
| 2022 Beijing | 4 | 0 | 2 | – | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 | Filip Pešán | Roman Červenka | Playoffs | 9th | |
| 2026 Milan / Cortina | To be determined | ||||||||||||
World Championship
World Cup of Hockey
| Year | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Finish | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 3 | 4 | 17 | Luděk Bukač | Jaromír Jágr | Round 1 | 8th |
| 2004 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 15 | Vladimír Růžička | Robert Reichel | Semi-finals | |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 | 1 | 6 | 12 | Josef Jandač | Tomáš Plekanec | Group stage | 6th |
Euro Hockey Tour
| Year | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 9 | 0 | – | 2 | – | 7 | 15 | 36 | 4th |
| 1997–98 | 12 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 3 | 47 | 29 | |
| 1998–99 | 12 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 4 | 28 | 27 | |
| 1999–00 | 12 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 4 | 31 | 20 | |
| 2000–01 | 12 | 3 | 1 | – | 3 | 5 | 27 | 29 | 4th |
| 2001–02 | 12 | 3 | 2 | – | 1 | 6 | 34 | 36 | 4th |
| 2002–03 | 12 | 4 | 1 | – | 3 | 4 | 33 | 33 | |
| 2003–04 | 12 | 2 | 4 | – | 3 | 3 | 24 | 28 | |
| 2004–05 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 33 | 4th |
| 2005–06 | 13 | 1 | 1 | – | 2 | 9 | 29 | 46 | 4th |
| 2006–07 | 14 | 2 | 2 | – | 2 | 8 | 33 | 42 | |
| 2007–08 | 12 | 4 | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | 33 | 44 | |
| 2008–09 | 12 | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 6 | 36 | 43 | 4th |
| 2009–10 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 31 | 27 | 4th |
| 2010–11 | 12 | 3 | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | 27 | 39 | 4th |
| 2011–12 | 12 | 5 | 2 | – | 1 | 4 | 31 | 29 | |
| 2012–13 | 12 | 6 | 0 | – | 0 | 6 | 16 | 24 | |
| 2013–14 | 12 | 4 | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | 16 | 31 | |
| 2014–15 | 12 | 4 | 1 | – | 2 | 5 | 33 | 31 | |
| 2015–16 | 12 | 4 | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | 32 | 37 | |
| 2016–17 | 12 | 6 | 0 | – | 1 | 5 | 43 | 39 | |
| 2017–18 | 12 | 6 | 1 | – | 0 | 5 | 32 | 31 | |
| 2018–19 | 12 | 4 | 1 | – | 0 | 7 | 30 | 34 | 4th |
| 2019–20 | 9 | 3 | 3 | – | 1 | 2 | 25 | 19 | |
| 2020–21 | 12 | 5 | 1 | – | 2 | 4 | 30 | 29 | |
| 2021–22 | 12 | 5 | 0 | – | 2 | 5 | 33 | 32 | |
| 2022–23 | 12 | 4 | 2 | – | 2 | 4 | 26 | 33 | |
| 2023–24 | – |
Team
Current roster
Roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship.[15][16]
Head coach: Radim Rulík
| No. | Pos. | Name | Height | Weight | Birthdate | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Lukáš Dostál | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 72 kg (159 lb) | 22 June 2000 | Anaheim Ducks |
| 3 | D | Radko Gudas – A | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | 5 June 1990 | Anaheim Ducks |
| 6 | D | Michal Kempný | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 89 kg (196 lb) | 8 September 1990 | Sparta Praha |
| 7 | D | David Špaček | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | 18 February 2003 | Iowa Wild |
| 8 | F | Ondřej Beránek | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | 21 December 1995 | Karlovy Vary |
| 10 | F | Roman Červenka – C | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 89 kg (196 lb) | 10 December 1985 | Rapperswil-Jona Lakers |
| 14 | F | Pavel Zacha | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 95 kg (209 lb) | 6 April 1997 | Boston Bruins |
| 18 | F | Ondřej Palát – A | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | 28 March 1991 | New Jersey Devils |
| 19 | F | Jakub Flek | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | 76 kg (168 lb) | 24 December 1992 | Kometa Brno |
| 22 | F | Jáchym Kondelík | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | 107 kg (236 lb) | 21 December 1999 | Motor České Budějovice |
| 23 | F | Lukáš Sedlák | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | 96 kg (212 lb) | 25 February 1993 | Dynamo Pardubice |
| 34 | G | Petr Mrázek | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 84 kg (185 lb) | 14 February 1992 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 36 | D | Jakub Krejčík | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 87 kg (192 lb) | 25 June 1991 | Sparta Praha |
| 44 | D | Jan Rutta | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | 29 July 1990 | San Jose Sharks |
| 50 | G | Karel Vejmelka | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | 25 May 1996 | Arizona Coyotes |
| 55 | D | Libor Hájek | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 95 kg (209 lb) | 4 February 1998 | Dynamo Pardubice |
| 64 | F | David Kämpf | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | 12 January 1995 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 73 | F | Ondřej Kaše | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 85 kg (187 lb) | 8 November 1995 | HC Litvínov |
| 81 | F | Dominik Kubalík | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | 21 August 1995 | Ottawa Senators |
| 84 | D | Tomáš Kundrátek | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | 26 December 1989 | Oceláři Třinec |
| 88 | F | David Pastrňák | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | 25 May 1996 | Boston Bruins |
| 93 | F | Matěj Stránský | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | 98 kg (216 lb) | 11 July 1993 | HC Davos |
| 95 | F | Daniel Voženílek | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 97 kg (214 lb) | 10 February 1996 | Oceláři Třinec |
| 96 | F | David Tomášek | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 85 kg (187 lb) | 10 February 1996 | Färjestad BK |
| 98 | F | Martin Nečas | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | 15 January 1999 | Carolina Hurricanes |
Retired numbers
- 4 – Karel Rachůnek
- 15 – Jan Marek
- 63 – Josef Vašíček
Coaching history
- Olympics
- 1994 – Ivan Hlinka
- 1998 – Ivan Hlinka
- 2002 – Josef Augusta
- 2006 – Alois Hadamczik
- 2010 – Vladimír Růžička
- 2014 – Alois Hadamczik
- 2018 – Josef Jandač
- 2022 – Filip Pešán
- World Championships
- 1993–1994 – Ivan Hlinka
- 1995–1996 – Luděk Bukač
- 1997–1999 – Ivan Hlinka
- 2000–2002 – Josef Augusta
- 2003–2004 – Slavomír Lener
- 2005 – Vladimír Růžička
- 2006–2008 – Alois Hadamczik
- 2009–2010 – Vladimír Růžička
- 2011–2013 – Alois Hadamczik
- 2014–2015 – Vladimír Růžička
- 2016 – Vladimír Vůjtek
- 2017–2018 – Josef Jandač
- 2019 – Miloš Říha
- 2021 – Filip Pešán
- 2022–2023 – Kari Jalonen[17]
- 2024 – Radim Rulík
Uniform evolution
- National team jerseys
- 1994 Olympic jerseys
- IIHF jerseys 1996–1998
- IIHF jerseys 1998–2002
- 2006 IIHF jerseys
- 2009 IIHF jerseys
- 2014 Olympic jerseys
- 2015–2019 IIHF jerseys
- 2018 Olympic jerseys
- 2019–2021 IIHF jerseys
- 2021– IIHF jerseys
- 2022 Olympic jerseys
- 2022–2023 IIHF jerseys
See also
References
- "IIHF Men's World Ranking". IIHF. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- Miller, Gord [@GMillerTSN] (20 December 2021). "the Czech Federation officially requested that it be referred to as 'Czechia' in all competitions" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "NHL announces World Cup of Hockey for 2016". The Canadian Press. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- "Russia – Czech Republic". IIHF. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- "About". czehockey.cz. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "Story #22". webarchive.iihf.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- "Story #75". webarchive.iihf.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- Szemberg, Szymon; Podnieks, Andrew (May 2008). "Story #77–Recently separated, Czechs and Slovaks meet in World Championships final". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - "IIHF - Brotherly but divided". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- Marc Di Duca (2006). Czech Republic: The Bradt Travel Guide. p. 31. ISBN 9781841621500. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- Efstathia Sioras; Michael Spilling (2010). Czech Republic. p. 112. ISBN 9780761444763. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- "Swiss avenge group stage loss, advance to QF". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- AYKROYD, Lucas (26 May 2024). "Czechs strike gold on home ice". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- Steiss, Adam. "2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship cancelled". iihf.com. IIHF. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- "A-tým: Nominace české hokejové reprezentace na domácí mistrovství světa 2024" (in Czech). ceskyhokej.cz. 5 May 2024.
- "Team roster: Czechia" (PDF). iihf.com. 10 May 2024.
- "Jalonen převzal hokejovou repre sebevědomě. Cíl z MS? Jedině zlato" (in Czech). TN.nova.cz. 11 March 2022.