Story Summary
Litvínov held a ceremonial farewell for long-time captain Michal Trávníček, raising his No. 5 jersey to the rafters at an exhibition at the Ivan Hlinka Ice Stadium. No player in Litvínov will wear No. 5 again. Trávníček, a native of Děčín, captained the team to the club’s historic 2015 Extraliga title and spent his entire Extraliga career with Litvínov, playing a record 1,076 games across 21 seasons.
Key Facts
- Club: HC Litvínov held a ceremonial farewell for Michal Trávníček.
- Player: Michal Trávníček was the long-time captain of Litvínov.
- 2015 championship: Trávníček led Litvínov to the club’s historic extraliga title in 2015.
- Jersey retirement: During an exhibition at Zimní stadion Ivana Hlinky his No. 5 jersey was raised to the arena rafters and the number will no longer be used by Litvínov.
- Career totals: Trávníček played a record 1,076 extraliga games for Litvínov over 21 seasons.
- Origins: Trávníček is a native of Děčín.
- Event and quote: The event was called ‘Poslední seč’. Trávníček said he did not want to revisit his earlier departure and was enjoying the occasion with the right people.
- Event name and quote: The action took place at an event called ” Poslední seč”; Trávníček said, ” K tomu bych se nerad vracel. Teď to dopadlo s těmi správnými lidmi a užívám si to.”
- Attendees and participants: He played on the ice with former teammates including Viktor Hübl, František Lukeš and Vojtěch Kubinčák; those on the bench included Robert Reichel, Martin Ručinský and current club chief Jiří Šlégr.
- Exhibition opponent: Litvínov’s selection met Olymp Praha, which was led by actor Martin Dejdar.
IHM Discussion
The ceremony recognised a player whose entire Extraliga career was tied to one club and who captained Litvínov to its hallmark achievement in 2015. Raising Trávníček’s No. 5 and withdrawing it from future use are formal acknowledgements of that longevity and achievement. Six years after the club’s earlier decision to part ways with him before the end of his contract, Trávníček said at the ‘Poslední seč’ event that he preferred not to revisit the past and was enjoying the reunion with former colleagues.
Why It Matters
Retiring a jersey fixes a player’s place in a club’s history. For Litvínov, it underscores the importance of the 2015 title and gives supporters a visible link between past and present. For Trávníček, who logged a record number of games across 21 seasons, it is a significant recognition of a career spent with one club.
Mini Q&A
Who was honoured by HC Litvínov?
Michal Trávníček, the club’s long-time captain, was honoured.
What happened to Trávníček’s jersey?
His No. 5 jersey was raised to the rafters at the Zimní stadion Ivana Hlinky and Litvínov said the number will no longer be used.
What career milestone was noted at the ceremony?
Trávníček played a record 1,076 extraliga games for Litvínov across 21 seasons.
What significant team success did Trávníček captain?
He captained Litvínov to the club’s historic extraliga title in 2015.
Who attended or participated in the event?
Former teammates Viktor Hübl, František Lukeš and Vojtěch Kubinčák played in the exhibition; Robert Reichel, Martin Ručinský and current club chief Jiří Šlégr were on the bench; the opponent was Olymp Praha led by actor Martin Dejdar.
Did the ceremony mention Trávníček’s earlier departure from the club?
Yes. Six years earlier, the club’s then leadership parted ways with him before the end of his contract.