Defender Matěj Pinkas and forward Jaroslav Chmelař and Stanislav Vrhel did not make it to the final nomination of the Czech national hockey team for the World Championships in Edmonton and Red Deer. In the end, coach Karel Mlejnek had to eliminate the three players without the planned preparatory matches, which were canceled due to the unfavorable coronavirus situation.
“I have to say that even in my worst dreams, I didn’t imagine that we would have to decide with fellow coaches to narrow the line-up only on the basis of training. It was a very difficult decision and it’s a very frustrating feeling for players because But this is simply the reality of today and we have to deal with it, “Mlejnek said in a press release.
The Czech team was originally supposed to compete with the US and Switzerland in Canada. The first match was canceled by the organizers after the pandemic situation worsened overseas. The second did not take place due to a violation of the covid protocol, which was announced by the organizers without further details. “Thank you very much to all three boys for their work during the whole preparatory camp and I wish them good luck for the rest of the season,” said Mlejnek.
As expected, three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 14 forwards appear in the final nomination. Fourteen players are active in Czech competitions, one in Finland and the other overseas. The team captain is the forward Jan Myšák, just like a year ago. Defender Michael Krutil cannot play the opening two matches as he has a disciplinary penalty from the previous championship.
The Under-20 World Championships will start on December 26, and the Czechia will compete with Canada, Germany, Finland and Austria in Basic Group A in Edmonton.
Nomination of the Czech Republic:
Goalkeepers: Jan Bednář (Acadie-Bathurst / QMJHL), Jakub Málek (Vsetín), Daniel Král (Benátky nad Jizerou).
Defenders: Jiří Ticháček (Kladno), David Jiříček (Plzeň), David Moravec (Mladá Boleslav), Michal Hrádek (Pardubice), Jakub Šedivý (Benátky nad Jizerou), Michael Krutil (Rockford / AHL), Stanislav Svozil (Regina / WHL) , David Spacek (Sherbrooke / QMJHL).
Forwards: Josef Koláček, Tomáš Urban (both Litoměřice), Jakub Konečný (Sparta Prague), Sebastian Malát (Plzeň), Tomáš Chlubna (České Budějovice), Vojtěch Jiruš (Benátky nad Jizerou), Jiří Kulich (Karlovy Vary), Jakub Kos ( Ilves Tampere / Fin.), Michal Gut (Everett / WHL), Martin Ryšavý (Moose Jaw / WHL), Jan Myšák (Hamilton / OHL), Pavel Novák (Kelowna / WHL), Ivan Ivan (Cape Breton / QMJHL), Jakub Brabenec (Charlottetown / QMJHL).
– .
