Story Summary
Dalibor Bortňák has decided to end his playing career. The former centre spent the 2025/26 season with HC Prešov, which announced on social media that he is expected to remain involved in the club’s structures after retirement.
Key Facts
- Dalibor Bortňák has decided to end his playing career.
- HC Prešov announced on social media that Bortňák will continue to work within the club’s structures after retiring.
- Bortňák played for HC Prešov in the 2025/2026 season.
- He was a centre (stredný útočník) during his playing career.
- Bortňák spent the majority of his professional career in the Slovak Extraliga.
- He spent three years in the Canadian junior WHL.
- He also had stints in Liberec (Czech Republic) and Linz (Austria).
- In Slovakia he played for Zvolen, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Nitra, Slovan Bratislava, Poprad, Spišská Nová Ves, Trenčín and Prešov.
- He won Slovak league championships with Banská Bystrica in 2017 and 2018.
- Bortňák represented Slovakia at the IIHF U18 and U20 World Championships.
IHM Discussion
Bortňák’s retirement brings to a close a career spent largely in the Slovak Extraliga, alongside three years in the WHL and spells in Liberec and Linz. He won Slovak league titles with Banská Bystrica in 2017 and 2018 and represented Slovakia at under-18 and under-20 World Championships. HC Prešov expects him to remain within the club’s structures, although his role has not been specified.
Why It Matters
Bortňák’s move keeps an experienced former player connected to HC Prešov after the end of his playing career. His next responsibilities within the club have not yet been announced.