Slovakia men's national ice hockey team
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Repre, Chlapci (Boys), Naši chlapci (Our Boys) |
|---|---|
| Association | Slovak Ice Hockey Federation |
| General Manager | Miroslav Šatan |
| Head coach | Craig Ramsay |
| Assistants |
Ján Lašák Vladimír Országh Róbert Petrovický |
| Captain | Andrej Sekera |
| Most games | Dominik Graňák (184)1 |
| Top scorer | Miroslav Šatan (85)1 |
| Most points | Miroslav Šatan (162)1 |
| Home stadium | Zimný Štadión Ondreja Nepelu |
| Team colors | |
| IIHF code | SVK |
.png) | |
| Ranking | |
| Current IIHF |
10  |
| Highest IIHF | 3 (2004) |
| Lowest IIHF | 11 (2017) |
| First international | |
 .svg.png){kind=small} (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; 1 February 1940)2 | |
| Biggest win | |
  (Poprad, Slovakia; 18 March 1994)2 | |
| Biggest defeat | |
|
(Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; 1 February 1940)2 | |
| IIHF World Championships | |
| Appearances | 24 (first in 1994) |
| Best result |
 |
| Olympics | |
| Appearances | 6 (first in 1994) |
| Medals | 4th (2010) |
| International record (W–L–T) | |
| 285-233-49 | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| World Championships | ||
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2002 Sweden | |
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2000 Russia | |
| 2012 Finland/Sweden | |
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2003 Finland | |
The Slovak men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of Slovakia and is controlled by the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation. It is one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world. The team's general manager is Miroslav Šatan and their head coach is Craig Ramsay.
In the last sixteen years, Slovakia has won four medals at the World Championships, including a gold medal in 2002 in Sweden. In the Winter Olympic Games, Slovakia's highest achievement is 4th place in Vancouver 2010. In the tournament they won against favourites Russia and Sweden, and lost against Canada in the semifinals and against Finland in the bronze medal game.
History
The Slovak national team was formed following the breakup of Czechoslovakia, as the country was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While the Czechs were allowed to compete at the highest pool (A), the IIHF ruled that because fewer players of the former Czechoslovak team were Slovaks, Slovakia would be required to start international play in Pool C. However, Slovakia's play in the lower pools won it promotion to pool A by 1996. See also Post-Cold War period of the IIHF world championships.
Slovakia's first appearance in an elite ice hockey competition was at 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. With a lineup led by star Peter Šťastný, the Slovaks finished first in their group with three wins and two ties before losing to Russia in overtime in the quarterfinals. In the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the Slovak team was unable to use its National Hockey League (NHL) players in the preliminary round due to a scheduling conflict. This affected all of the smaller countries, but devastated the Slovaks as most of their best players were from NHL teams. The NHL only shut down its schedule in time for the second group stage, and thus Slovakia failed to qualify among the final eight teams both times. This turn of events was troubling to the entire hockey community, and the rules were changed for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.
Slovak national team members and notable players include Marián Gáborík of the Los Angeles Kings; Marián Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks; Marcel Hossa; Miroslav Šatan; star goaltender of the New York Islanders Jaroslav Halák and the tallest player in NHL history, Zdeno Chára. In the late 1990s, the St. Louis Blues placed Ľuboš Bartečko, Michal Handzuš, and Pavol Demitra on the same line. This trio became known as the "Slovak Pack," and were able to communicate in their native language without the opposition knowing what they were saying, unless, of course, they also understood Slovak.
Following the successful years for the Slovaks in the early 2000s at the World Championship, when they won the silver in St. Petersburg at the 2000 edition after a loss to the Czechs, winning the (so far) only title in Goteburg at the 2002 edition and securing bronze in Helsinki (2003), the results of Slovakia worsened and Slovakia began to drop out in the quarterfinals. The closest Slovakia came to relegation into Division I was in 2008, when they avoided relegation only thanks to two victories over Slovenia in the Relegation Round. Following was a series of three subsequent eliminations in the Qualifying Round (Round of 12), including one at a 2011 edition Slovakia hosted in Bratislava and Košice for the first time, since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
Largely unexpected, however, was Slovakia's silver medal at the 2012 edition, again won in Helsinki. This was the first tournament after the introduction of the new two group format, followed by the quarterfinals. Due to the surprise this medal was after number of unsuccessful tournaments, it was by many regarded as with a value of a triumphal gold. In the following years however, Slovakia again failed to repeat medal successes and even failed to qualify to the quarterfinals, with the exception of 2013.
Tournament record
Olympic Games
| Games | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Roster | Finish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–1992 | Part of Czechoslovakia | ||||||||||||
 |
8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 29 | |
Peter Šťastný | 6th | ||
 |
4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 13 | |
Zdeno Cíger | 10th | ||
 |
4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 13 | |
Miroslav Šatan | 13th | ||
 |
6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 11 | |
Pavol Demitra | roster | 5th | |
 |
7 | 3 | 1 | – | 0 | 3 | 22 | 18 | |
Zdeno Chára | roster | 4th | |
 |
4 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 3 | 5 | 16 |  |
Zdeno Chára | roster | 11th | |
 |
4 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | |
Tomáš Surový | roster | 11th | |
World Championship
Lower divisions
| Division | Championship | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Finish | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | |
6 | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 43 | 3 | Július Šupler | Oto Haščák | Winner, Promoted | 1st |
| B | |
7 | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 60 | 15 | Július Šupler | Peter Šťastný | Winner, Promoted | 1st |
Top division
World Cup
| Year | GP | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Finish | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 3 | 9 | 19 | Jozef Golonka | Round 1 | 7th | |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 18 | Ján Filc | Quarter-finals | 8th |
At the 2016 edition, Slovakia was not represented. Instead 6 Slovak players were a part of Team Europe, which was led by Slovak General Manager Miroslav Šatan.
Former National jerseys
| ZOH 1994 | MS 1994 | 1995 | 1996-1997 | 1998-2000 |
.png) | .png) |  |  |  |
| 2001-2004 | SP 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007-2008 |
 | .png) |  |  |  |
| 2009−2013 | 2014-2017 |
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 |
Team
Current roster
Roster for the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[1]
Head coach: Craig Ramsay
| No. | Pos. | Name | Height | Weight | Birthdate | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Marek Čiliak | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | April 2, 1990 | |
| 2 | D | Andrej Sekera – C | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | June 8, 1986 | |
| 3 | D | Adam Jánošík | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 80 kg (180 lb) | September 7, 1992 | |
| 6 | F | Lukáš Cingeľ | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | October 6, 1992 | |
| 7 | D | Mário Grman | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 89 kg (196 lb) | April 11, 1997 | |
| 12 | F | Dávid Bondra | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | August 26, 1992 | |
| 13 | F | Tomáš Jurčo | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 85 kg (187 lb) | December 28, 1992 | |
| 17 | F | Dávid Buc | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | January 22, 1987 | |
| 18 | F | Andrej Kudrna | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | 89 kg (196 lb) | May 11, 1991 | |
| 19 | F | Michal Krištof | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | 72 kg (159 lb) | October 11, 1993 | |
| 25 | F | Marek Hovorka | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | October 8, 1984 | |
| 27 | F | Ladislav Nagy – A | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | 87 kg (192 lb) | June 1, 1979 | |
| 28 | F | Pavol Skalický | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | October 9, 1995 | |
| 30 | G | Denis Godla | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 79 kg (174 lb) | April 4, 1995 |  |
| 33 | F | Juraj Mikúš | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | February 22, 1987 | |
| 42 | G | Patrik Rybár | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 80 kg (180 lb) | November 9, 1993 | |
| 51 | D | Dominik Graňák – A | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 81 kg (179 lb) | June 11, 1983 | |
| 56 | D | Michal Čajkovský | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | 107 kg (236 lb) | May 6, 1992 | |
| 62 | D | Christián Jaroš | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | 97 kg (214 lb) | April 2, 1996 | |
| 65 | F | Tomáš Marcinko | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) | 96 kg (212 lb) | April 11, 1988 | |
| 66 | D | Martin Fehérváry | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | October 6, 1999 |  |
| 71 | D | Marek Ďaloga | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | March 10, 1989 | |
| 83 | F | Martin Bakoš | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | April 18, 1990 | |
| 87 | F | Marcel Haščák | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | February 3, 1987 | |
| 88 | F | Patrik Svitana | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | July 10, 1988 | |
2002 World Championship: Gold winning roster
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2012 World Championship
|
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Player statistics
- As of 12 May 2015
Players in bold are still active.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; GPG = Goal per game;
|
|
Head coaches
This table shows all Slovakia national team head coaches and their record at the IIHF World Championships, World Cup of Hockey and Winter Olympic Games. Data as of 15 May 2018.
Source:[2]
| Name | Years | G | W | OW | T | OL | L | GF | GA | W% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Július Šupler | 1993–1996 | 29 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 160 | 92 | .552 |
| Jozef Golonka | 1996–1997 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 23 | .375 |
| Ján Šterbák | 1997–1999 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 44 | 46 | .313 |
| Ján Filc | 1999–2002 | 29 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 106 | 75 | .552 |
| František Hossa | 2002–2006 | 38 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 133 | 68 | .632 |
| Ján Filc[note 1] | 2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 18 | .000 |
| Július Šupler | 2006–2008 | 12 | 5 | 1 | – | 0 | 6 | 42 | 35 | .417 |
| Ján Filc | 2008–2010 | 13 | 4 | 2 | – | 2 | 5 | 34 | 42 | .308 |
| Glen Hanlon | 2010–2011 | 12 | 4 | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | 29 | 34 | .333 |
| Vladimír Vůjtek | 2011–2015 | 36 | 14 | 2 | – | 5 | 15 | 94 | 99 | .389 |
| Zdeno Cíger | 2015–2017 | 14 | 2 | 2 | – | 2 | 8 | 27 | 51 | .143 |
| Craig Ramsay | 2017–present | 11 | 4 | 0 | – | 3 | 4 | 26 | 32 | .364 |
- ↑ Managed the team during 2004 World Cup of Hockey
Retired numbers
- 38 – Pavol Demitra The legend of the national team and a victim of the 2011 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash - retired from the national team at the Slovak-hosted World Championship that year.
All-time record
The following table shows Slovakia's international record from 1940 – 1945 and since 1993, correct as of 15 May 2017. Teams in italics are no longer actively competing.
Source:[3]
| Opponent | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 33 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 131 | 56 | +75 |
 | 33 | 19 | 1 | 13 | 93 | 66 | +27 |
 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | +20 |
| 51 | 23 | 4 | 24 | 161 | 150 | +11 |
 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| 63 | 14 | 7 | 42 | 134 | 217 | −83 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | −12 |
 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 73 | 36 | +37 |
| 34 | 7 | 3 | 24 | 65 | 107 | −42 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
 | 32 | 23 | 3 | 6 | 136 | 58 | +78 |
 | 56 | 31 | 1 | 24 | 142 | 127 | +15 |
 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | +10 |
 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 19 | +31 |
| 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 75 | 43 | +32 |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 12 | +27 |
 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 15 | +27 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
 | 28 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 93 | 62 | +31 |
 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 | +20 |
| 31 | 22 | 2 | 7 | 112 | 58 | +54 |
 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 43 | 16 | +27 |
 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | +36 |
| 38 | 10 | 5 | 23 | 91 | 122 | −31 |
 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 | −1 |
 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 49 | 23 | +26 |
 | 68 | 28 | 7 | 33 | 164 | 149 | +15 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 37 | 10 | 3 | 24 | 84 | 123 | −39 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 |
 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 18 | +31 |
| 27 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 61 | 90 | −29 |
 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
.svg.png){kind=small} | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| Total | 643 | 322 | 49 | 271 | 2017 | 1618 | +399 |
- Overtime and penalty shots victories and losses are counted towards wins/losses.
See also
References
- ↑ 2018 IIHF World Championship roster
- ↑ "Slovenských hokejistov povedie Čech Vladimír Vůjtek" (in Slovak). 17 August 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
- ↑ "SLOVENSKO verzus SVET" (in Slovak). SZLH. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
External links
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