Tag: Slovakia

Studenic returns to Slovakia squad for Deutschland Cup

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Studenic is back in Slovakia’s national-team squad for the Deutschland Cup in Düsseldorf, marking his first involvement since he was suspended from international duty. The Färjestad forward is one of three SHL-based players selected, alongside club team-mate Sebastian Cederle and HV71 forward Pavol Regenda.

The 27-year-old had previously represented Slovakia at two World Championships and an Olympic qualifying tournament, collecting 24 caps. His recall comes after a productive start to the SHL season with Färjestad.

Key Facts

  • Studenic has been selected in Slovakia’s squad for the Deutschland Cup in Düsseldorf.
  • The 27-year-old forward has 24 international appearances for Slovakia, including two World Championship tournaments and an Olympic qualifying tournament.
  • Studenic is one of three SHL players in the Slovakia squad, alongside Färjestad team-mate Sebastian Cederle and HV71 forward Pavol Regenda.
  • Studenic recorded 44 points, comprising 14 goals and 30 assists, in 50 SHL games during his first Färjestad season after joining the club in 2024.
  • He followed that with 27 points in 51 games last season and has eight points, including one goal and seven assists, in his first 10 SHL matches this season.
  • Slovakia will face Latvia, Austria and Germany at the Deutschland Cup, which runs in Düsseldorf from 5 to 8 November.

IHM Discussion

The call-up restores an established international option to Slovakia’s forward group. Studenic’s previous 24 appearances show that he is not entering an unfamiliar environment, while his early SHL production provides a clear current-case for selection.

His club record has been consistently useful since arriving at Färjestad. A 44-point first season was followed by 27 points in 51 matches, and he has opened the current campaign with eight points in 10 outings. That form makes the Deutschland Cup an opportunity to re-enter the national set-up through on-ice contribution rather than reputation alone.

Why It Matters

International tournaments in November give national teams a chance to assess available players outside the NHL calendar. For Slovakia, Studenic’s return adds a forward with recent international experience and sustained production in one of Europe’s leading domestic leagues.

For Färjestad, the selection also places three of its players in the wider international window, with Cederle joining Studenic in Slovakia’s group.

Mini Q&A

Why is Studenic’s selection notable?

It is his first Slovakia call-up since he was suspended from international duty, ending a lengthy absence from the national team.

Which SHL players are in Slovakia’s Deutschland Cup squad?

Studenic, Färjestad team-mate Sebastian Cederle and HV71 forward Pavol Regenda are the three SHL-based players selected.

Who will Slovakia play in Düsseldorf?

Slovakia will face Latvia, Austria and Germany during the Deutschland Cup.

What Comes Next

Studenic and Slovakia are due to begin their Deutschland Cup programme in Düsseldorf between 5 and 8 November, with Latvia, Austria and Germany awaiting them.

Ján Lašák welcomes Slovakia’s homegrown goalie rise

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Ján Lašák has welcomed what he sees as a growing willingness among Slovak clubs to entrust major responsibility to young domestic goaltenders.

The former long-serving national-team number one and 2002 world champion pointed to Dávid Hrenák, Šimon Latkóczy and HC Košice’s Patrik Jurčák as early examples of the trend. All three have become important figures for their teams and made an impact in league statistics during the opening rounds of the new season.

Lašák compared the direction to a Swiss-style model built around offensive hockey, arguing that clubs should look to foreign forwards for added scoring rather than importing goaltending. He also noted that six Slovak goaltenders are currently at American universities and said they would gradually return.

Key Facts

  • Ján Lašák praised Slovak clubs for giving young domestic goaltenders significant responsibility early in the season.
  • Lašák named Dávid Hrenák, Šimon Latkóczy and Patrik Jurčák among the domestic goalies making an impact.
  • Dukla Trenčín have Hrenák and Latkóczy as a competitive but friendly goaltending pairing.
  • Lašák said Latkóczy’s more spontaneous personality has been positive for Hrenák, whom he felt had previously been very focused on hockey.
  • HC Košice goaltender Patrik Jurčák is 22 years old.
  • Lašák praised Jurčák’s reading of the game, physical preparation and composed public response after a disputed crease incident involving Slovan player Tomáš Marcinko.
  • Lašák said six Slovak goaltenders are playing at American universities and would gradually return.

IHM Discussion

Lašák’s comments centre on opportunity rather than a claim that the job is complete. His argument is that domestic goaltenders need meaningful roles if Slovakia is to deepen its position in the sport’s most specialised position.

The situation at Dukla Trenčín is particularly notable because the competition is paired with a supportive relationship. Lašák described Hrenák and Latkóczy as a close group who push one another, while identifying a personal contrast between them that he believes benefits Hrenák.

Jurčák represents a different part of the same picture. Lašák’s praise was not limited to technical elements such as game-reading and physical readiness; he also highlighted the Košice netminder’s restraint after a contentious goal. In Lašák’s view, handling difficult moments without dwelling on matters outside a goaltender’s control is an important professional trait.

Why It Matters

Goaltending development depends on more than identifying prospects. Young players need game responsibility, competitive internal environments and the ability to cope with scrutiny when incidents go against them.

Lašák’s preference for clubs to seek foreign attacking help rather than imported saves presents a clear development-minded view of how domestic opportunities could be protected. It is an opinion rather than an announced league policy, but it explains why the early prominence of Hrenák, Latkóczy and Jurčák has drawn his attention.

Mini Q&A

Which goaltenders did Ján Lašák single out?

Lašák highlighted Dávid Hrenák, Šimon Latkóczy and 22-year-old HC Košice goaltender Patrik Jurčák.

What did Lašák say about Dukla Trenčín’s goaltending pair?

He said Hrenák and Latkóczy form a strong, friendly and competitive pairing that drives one another forward.

Why did Lašák praise Patrik Jurčák after the disputed goal?

Lašák praised Jurčák for remaining calm publicly after the crease incident and for not focusing on matters he could not influence.

IHM Final View

Lašák sees encouraging signs rather than a finished transformation. The early-season roles held by Hrenák, Latkóczy and Jurčák have given his argument a tangible basis: Slovak teams are placing trust in young homegrown goaltenders, while the next group is continuing its development in American college hockey.

Slovakia’s 2027 World Championship schedule set for Düsseldorf

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Slovak national team will begin its IIHF World Championship 2027 campaign in Germany with a B-group opener against Denmark on Saturday 15 May at 12:20 in Düsseldorf. Slovakia’s B-group fixtures run through Tuesday 25 May and include matches against Kazakhstan, Hungary, Canada, the USA, the Czech Republic and Norway. The schedule and group placements were confirmed on the IIHF website; Slovakia had originally been placed in A-group but was replaced there after Germany exercised host rights.

Key Facts

  • Slovakia opens at the IIHF World Championship 2027 on Saturday 15 May at 12:20 with Slovakia – Denmark in Düsseldorf.
  • Slovakia’s B-group schedule in Düsseldorf (all times given): 15 May 12:20 vs Denmark; 16 May 12:20 vs Kazakhstan; 18 May 20:20 vs Hungary; 20 May 16:20 vs Canada; 22 May 20:20 vs USA; 24 May 20:20 vs Czech Republic; 25 May 16:20 vs Norway.
  • Slovakia had originally been placed in A-group, but Germany used host rights to take that slot; Germany will play its group games in Mannheim.
  • Norway are identified as the bronze medallists from this year’s championship in Switzerland.
  • The Czech Republic beat Slovakia 3:2 at the 2026 World Championship, and the federal derby between Slovakia and the Czech Republic is scheduled for Monday 24 May at 20:20 in Düsseldorf.
  • The tournament opens on 13 May with Germany v Switzerland at 20:20 in the Veltins-Arena, which returns to the World Championship after 17 years.
  • The Veltins-Arena hosted the 2010 opening game when Germany beat the USA 2:1 after overtime in front of a record attendance of 77,803.

IHM Discussion

The published IIHF schedule places Slovakia in a compact B-group programme in Düsseldorf, with a mix of European and North American opponents across ten days. The calendar includes back-to-back fixtures at the start of the campaign and late-evening games against Canada and the USA, placing a premium on recovery between games. The federal derby with the Czech Republic on 24 May will be a high-profile encounter after the Czechs won 3:2 when the teams met at the 2026 championship. Slovakia finish group play against Norway, identified as this year’s bronze medallists.

Why It Matters

The match order matters for preparation and momentum. Opening against Denmark on 15 May gives Slovakia a midday start and a clear schedule rhythm with a second game the following day against Kazakhstan. Mid-week fixtures against Canada and the USA represent the toughest matchups on paper and could be decisive for group standings. The derby with the Czech Republic carries additional rivalry significance and recent history, which can influence both selection and game planning.

Mini Q&A

When does Slovakia start at the 2027 World Championship?

Slovakia opens on Saturday 15 May 2027 at 12:20 against Denmark in Düsseldorf.

Which teams are in Slovakia’s group and who are their opponents?

Slovakia’s B-group opponents in Düsseldorf are Denmark, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Canada, the USA, the Czech Republic and Norway.

Why is Slovakia in B-group rather than A-group?

According to the IIHF website cited by the source, Slovakia had originally been placed in A-group, but Germany used host rights and replaced Slovakia; Germany will play its games in Mannheim.

When is the federal derby against the Czech Republic?

Slovakia faces the Czech Republic on Monday 24 May at 20:20 in Düsseldorf.

Where and when does the tournament open?

The tournament opens on 13 May at 20:20 with Germany v Switzerland at the Veltins-Arena, which is hosting World Championship games again after 17 years.

What Comes Next

Key checkpoint: Slovakia’s first game is Saturday 15 May at 12:20 in Düsseldorf against Denmark. The team’s full B-group schedule runs through Tuesday 25 May, concluding with Norway at 16:20.

IHM Final View

The published schedule gives Slovakia a clear, tightly packed B-group programme in Düsseldorf that mixes manageable early tests with high-risk clashes against Canada, the USA and the Czech Republic. How Slovakia manages recovery and match preparation across consecutive fixtures will be central to their progress at the 2027 World Championship.