Moose Jaw 2023: Get to Know Czechia 

The 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championships will take place from 28 May - June 4 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada. The top eight teams from around the world will compete for the world title, with the top six finishers staying in the A-Pool for the next season. Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team.

Czechia

Background
For the first time since the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic cycle, Czechia will not be playing the World Championships on their home ice. The last two editions of the event were held in Ostrava, with the host nation taking fourth in 2019 and fifth in 2021. Most recently, Czechia were fifth at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics after losing to Italy in a thrilling overtime contest. Czechia have been on the verge of a Paralympic and World Championship podium for the last half of a decade, and in Moose Jaw they will be in search of their first medal.

World Ranking: 4th 

World Championships History
2021: 5th place 
2019: 4th place 
2015: 7th place
2013: 4th place
2012: 4th place
2009: 5th place
2008: 8th place

Athletes to Watch
Martin Kudela and Michal Vapekna have been goaltending stalwarts for Czechia over the last decade, splitting time equally between the pipes over most major tournaments and providing consistency for the team. Vapenka had the second highest save percentage (85.29) at the Beijing 2022 Games, allowing only five goals. On the offensive end, forward Michal Geier has consistently been the team’s leading scorer, including in Beijing, where he had four goals and two assists.

Matchup to Watch: Czechia vs. Korea on 28 May
This will be the opening game of the tournament, and one in which many are billing as a potential preview of the bronze-medal contest. The two teams have not faced each other on the international stage in nearly two years; in their last matchup, Korea won 2-0 to open the 2021 World Championships. Prior to that, Korea beat Czechia, 4-1, in the bronze-medal game of the 2019 World Championships.