'Silent Guy' Martin Kudela chasing Czechia’s elusive podium at Milano Cortina 2026

“I felt freedom.”

These are the words Martin Kudela uses for the sport that gave him a future in hockey. From a chance discovery of Para ice hockey at 15 to the Paralympic stage, the Czech goaltender now has his sights set on earning Team Czechia’s first Paralympic medal at Milano Cortina 2026.

Kudela started playing in 2012 after seeing a Para ice hockey tournament while out bowling with his family in Studenka, Czechia. He joined the Ceská Para Hokejova Liga, Czechia’s domestic league, and eventually made the Czech national team in 2018.

“I was at the stadium to play bowling, and there was a Para ice hockey tournament there at the same time. I wanted to play ice hockey my whole life but couldn’t because of my disability. After this, I tried it once and now it’s been 13 years,” Kudela said.

Since then, he has become a two-time winner of the Zlata Hokejka, or Golden Hockey Stick, for best male Para ice hockey player while playing for the Ostrava Flamingos. Internationally, he has played in two Paralympic Winter Games - PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 - and was named best goaltender at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships after recording 52 saves and an 83.67 percent save percentage.

🏒PENALTY SHOT🏒

A sensational save by Martin Kudela 🇨🇿 denies China 🇨🇳 their first goal!#WinterParalympics #Beijing2022 @ParaIceHockey @paralympicsCZ pic.twitter.com/iTAjExzGIX

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) March 9, 2022

According to Kudela, he isn’t the most vocal on his team, but his ability to listen and work hard has translated into team success on the ice.

"I'm the silent guy,” he said. “I try to help my team by staying quiet and focused."

Kudela hopes to help Czechia reach its first Paralympic podium, building on three consecutive World Championships bronze medals from 2023 to 2025.

“We want a medal, and the Paralympics is the only one we don’t have,” he said. “People will see our fighting spirit. It could be 10-0, and we still won’t surrender.”

When he’s not between the pipes, Kudela is a family man and tram driver. He also enjoys computer games and animal photography. 

“I wanted to be a zookeeper as a kid. That didn't happen, but animal photography is beautiful because every shot is different,” said Kudela.

However, he finds the most joy from spending time with his daughter, born in June 2025.

“Para ice hockey is easier!” he jokes when addressing fatherhood. “My daughter is my angel. When she smiles at me, it’s the best thing.”

Fast Facts

Favourite type of computer game: Strategy and RPGs.
Which teammate would be the best emergency goalie? Zdenek Hábl.
Favourite pre-game meal: He doesn’t eat because he believes “the hungry wolf will hunt the best.”
Favourite Animal: All of them!