Czech Republic’s Winter Classic to include Para ice hockey

This year’s famous Winter Classic in the Czech Republic from 10-12 December will include Para ice hockey for the first time when the national teams from the Czech Republic and Slovakia participate in an open-air match on the final day of the event.

The festival of hockey will include Para ice hockey, along with duels of junior teams and the Czech and Slovak national teams and NHL legends, including Jaromir Jagr, Ondrej Pavelec, and Ziggy Pallfy. 

It will take place on a specially prepared ice rink directly below the ski slope in Spinleruv Mlyn, the first time the festival is hosted in the mountains.

The Para ice hockey match is scheduled to 12 December at 12:00 local time.

“The boys are really looking forward to the match in such an amazing place and in the open air,” said Czech Para ice hockey national coach Jiri Briza. 

“We will meet the Slovak team on the ice, which will be interesting for the spectators as well. It is great that Para ice hockey will appear at this event alongside the best domestic hockey stars and teams,” added Briza.

Czech Republic hosted the last edition of the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Ostrava in 2019 with record attendances. The hosts finished a best-ever fourth place.

Slovakia made history last year when the team qualified for the first time for the World Championships after finishing second place at the Worlds B-Pool in Berlin, Germany.

“Para ice hockey in Slovakia was created just 10 years ago, and we created all our knowledge from the Czechs,” said Miroslav Dra, general manager of the Slovakian Para ice hockey team. 

“Also, 90% of our boys played in the Czech league, so it will also be this magnificent celebration and presentation of Czech Para ice hockey.”

Tickets for the event are available at https://winterclassic.cz/vstupenky/.