Calgary 2024: Get to Know Czechia

The 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool will take place from 4-12 May at WinSport Arenas in Calgary, Canada. The event will feature the top eight teams in the world: USA, Canada, Czechia, China, South Korea, Italy, Japan and Slovakia. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format with the teams split into two groups, followed by the playoff round, culminating with the gold-medal game on 12 May.

Background

Czechia’s podium finish at the World Championships last year was one of the most surprising performances, as it won the bronze medal by a score against China. With four fourth-place finishes now at the World Championships, and finally a meal under its belt, Czechia is hungrier than ever to repeat on the podium and has a returning cast of star players who have the talent to do so. 

World Championships History

2023: Bronze (A-Pool)
2021: 5th place (A-Pool)
2019: 4th place (A-Pool)
2017: Gold (B-Pool)
2015: 7th place (A-Pool)
2013: 4th place (A-Pool)
2012: 4th place (A-Pool)
2009: 5th place (A-Pool)
2008: Silver (B-Pool)

Athlete to Watch

Radek Zelinka may not be the first athlete you see on the scoresheet when you look at Czechia’s game recaps, but he was named Best Defenseman at last year’s World Championships and anchors a line that only allowed less than three goals per game at last year’s tournament. He also had three goals of his own in six games.

Matchup to Watch: Czechia vs. Canada on 7 May

One of last year’s most thrilling contests was Canada’s one-goal win over Czechia in the preliminary round. Both of these teams are skating for podium spots and have become familiar with each other over the years. This will be their final game of the preliminary round in Calgary.