Story Summary
Peter Cehlárik played a useful part in Växjö Lakers’ 3-1 comeback win at HK Nitra in the 2026/27 Champions Hockey League, providing an assist and finishing with a +2 rating. The Slovak international was Växjö’s second-most used forward, logging 18:05 of ice time. Cehlárik described Nitra as a physical, energetic opponent and said he was pleased Växjö turned the match around in the third period. Swedish tax rules mean Cehlárik has not been training with Växjö in Sweden; instead, he has travelled with the club for fixtures abroad and trained with Vlci Žilina between trips. He said he will go to Žilina on Monday, expects to miss roughly four league games and plans to leave for Sweden towards the end of September.
Key Facts
- Växjö Lakers beat HK Nitra 3-1 in the Champions Hockey League match referenced.
- Peter Cehlárik recorded one assist and two plus/minus on the night for Växjö.
- Cehlárik played 18:05, the second-most ice time of Växjö’s forwards in that game.
- Nitra led 1-0 after two periods before Växjö scored three times in the third to win 3-1.
- Cehlárik said Nitra played physically and with energy, which made the match demanding.
- Because of Swedish tax regulations Cehlárik has not been training with Växjö in Sweden and joins the team only for activities abroad.
- Cehlárik played pre-season matches for Kiekko-Espoo and the first two Champions League fixtures in Mannheim and then in Nitra.
- He will join Vlci Žilina on Monday and described it as very realistic that he will play some matches for them at the start of the Tipsport liga season.
- Cehlárik expects to miss about four league games before leaving for Sweden towards the end of September.
- Växjö coach Björn Hellkvist said he knows Cehlárik well from Leksand, praised his mature play and noted the player has had a demanding schedule; Hellkvist also joked about not writing Swedish tax laws ahead of the 13 September parliamentary election.
- The article compares Cehlárik’s situation to Marek Hrivík, who previously experienced a similar arrangement of training but not playing in Sweden.
- The supplied final score was 3-1.
IHM Discussion
Cehlárik’s current pattern – training with Žilina while travelling with Växjö for fixtures abroad – is an unusual response to the restrictions he described. Växjö have still been able to use him in competitive games, and he supplied an assist in Nitra. For Žilina, a possible short-term spell would give the forward match action while he continues preparing for the Swedish season.
There are obvious practical challenges in moving between squads, including travel, changing systems and new linemates. Cehlárik emphasised the value of remaining in game rhythm, while Hellkvist noted that the forward has had a demanding schedule. The Växjö coach also highlighted Cehlárik’s familiarity with Lucas Elvenes from their time together in Leksand.
Cehlárik compared his circumstances with Marek Hrivík’s previous experience of a similar arrangement. For now, his focus is on playing when possible and becoming fully acquainted with Växjö’s environment.
Why It Matters
Cehlárik’s availability is relevant to both Växjö and Žilina in the opening weeks of the season. A spell with Žilina would give him competitive minutes before his planned move to Sweden, while Växjö can continue integrating him during fixtures outside Sweden. His situation also illustrates how tax rules can affect a player’s pre-season routine and early-season availability.
Mini Q&A
Did Peter Cehlárik contribute in Växjö’s 3-1 win at Nitra?
Yes. He recorded one assist and finished with a +2 plus/minus; Växjö won 3-1 after scoring three goals in the third period.
Why is Cehlárik not training regularly in Sweden with Växjö?
According to the player, Swedish tax regulations mean he does not train with Växjö in Sweden and therefore joins the team only when they are abroad.
Will Cehlárik play for Vlci Žilina at the start of the Tipsport-liga season?
He said he will go to Žilina on Monday and described it as very realistic that he will play some matches at the start of the season; formal appearances are to be confirmed in the coming days.
How many domestic league games does he expect to miss?
Cehlárik estimated that he will miss about four league games before leaving for Sweden.
When does he plan to return to Sweden?
He stated he will leave for Sweden towards the end of September.
What did Växjö coach Björn Hellkvist say about Cehlárik’s situation?
Hellkvist praised Cehlárik’s mature play, noted the player’s demanding travel and match schedule, and made a light-hearted remark that he does not write Swedish tax laws ahead of the 13 September parliamentary election.
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching perspective, the priority is clarity. A player moving between teams needs a clearly defined role, manageable workload and consistent communication around travel and recovery. Competitive minutes can help Cehlárik maintain his rhythm, while simple, familiar responsibilities should ease his eventual full-time integration with Växjö.
What Comes Next
– Cehlárik will go to Vlci Žilina on Monday and says it is very realistic that he will play some matches at the start of the Tipsport liga season. – He expects to miss approximately four league games before leaving for Sweden towards the end of September. – Hellkvist said he is looking forward to Cehlárik joining Växjö definitively.
IHM Final View
The arrangement is a practical way for Cehlárik to keep playing while his time with Växjö remains limited to activities abroad. He appears likely to feature for Žilina at the start of the Tipsport liga season before leaving for Sweden towards the end of September.