Tag: Slovan

Slovan and Košice unite for Zachráňme Vilyho fundraiser

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Slovan Bratislava and HC Košice have set aside their on-ice rivalry to back the Zachráňme Vilyho charity effort for a boy referred to in the campaign as Vilk. The clubs have connected the initiative to a pair of Slovak Extraliga fixtures – Slovan’s first home competitive match of the 2026/2027 season in Bratislava, followed a few days later by a meeting in Košice’s Steel Aréna – and are asking fans of both teams to donate and use the message “Košice a Slovan bojujú za Vilka” to identify contributions linked to the hockey initiative. After the second match in Košice, the clubs plan to announce the total amount raised during the joint drive.

Key Facts

  • The campaign is called Zachráňme Vilyho and centres on a boy referred to as Vilk.
  • Since December 2025 more than 73,000 donors have supported the campaign.
  • The fundraiser has exceeded two million euros in donations.
  • HC Košice says that amount is roughly half of the sum needed to prepare a unique gene therapy.
  • HC Košice said researchers and doctors from the Medical Faculty of UPJŠ and the University Hospital L. Pasteur in Košice have joined the effort.
  • HC Košice said early laboratory tests on Vilk’s cells produced encouraging results, with the medicine working as experts expected.
  • The initiative is linked to two Slovan – Košice league games: Slovan’s first home competitive match of 2026/2027 in Bratislava, then the return game in Košice’s Steel Aréna.
  • After the match in Košice the clubs will announce how much money was collected during the joint initiative.
  • Fans who donate can leave the message “Košice a Slovan bojujú za Vilka” so organisers can identify hockey-linked contributions.
  • Slovan and Košice met four times in the last regular season and then in a six-game play-off semi-final that Bratislava won.

IHM Discussion

The collaboration between Slovan and Košice puts a charitable cause ahead of an established on-ice rivalry. HC Košice says that total is roughly half the sum needed to prepare the gene therapy, while the clubs can use the two fixtures to encourage further support.

Why It Matters

The initiative shows how rival clubs can direct the attention around league fixtures towards a shared charitable goal. Fans of both teams can identify hockey-linked donations with the campaign message, and the clubs will disclose the amount raised through the joint drive after the game in Košice.

Mini Q&A

What is the campaign called and who is it for?

The campaign is called Zachráňme Vilyho and it is raising funds for a boy referred to in the campaign as Vilk.

How much money and how many donors has the campaign already attracted?

Since December 2025 more than 73,000 donors have supported the campaign and the collection has exceeded two million euros.

Which clubs are involved and how have they linked the fundraiser to matches?

Slovan Bratislava and HC Košice are jointly promoting the initiative. The drive is connected to two league meetings between the clubs – Slovan’s first home competitive match of 2026/2027 in Bratislava and a subsequent game in Košice’s Steel Aréna.

When will the clubs reveal how much was raised through the joint initiative?

The clubs intend to announce the total amount collected during the joint initiative after the match in Košice.

Are there scientific steps already taken towards treatment?

HC Košice said initial laboratory tests on Vilk’s cells produced encouraging results and that the medicine worked as experts expected.

What Comes Next

The initiative remains active around the two linked Slovan – Košice matches, and fans may continue to donate using the identifying message tied to the hockey action.

IHM Final View

The Slovan – Košice partnership gives the Zachráňme Vilyho campaign another platform during two closely scheduled meetings between the clubs.

Slovan keep perfect start as round two delivers big scores

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

HC Slovan Bratislava maintained a perfect start to the season with a 3:0 victory at HK Dukla Michalovce. The goals came from Adam Cedzo, Patrik Bačik and Liam Pecararo, while Julian Junca recorded his first clean sheet for Slovan.

Other second-round results included Poprad’s 4:1 win at Prešov, Žilina’s 7:2 victory at Spišská Nová Ves, Zvolen’s 4:1 home success over Liptovský Mikuláš and HC ’05 Banská Bystrica’s 4:3 shootout win at HK Dukla Trenčín, with Roman Faith scoring the decisive shootout goal. The standings were updated after two rounds of the 2026/27 season.

Key Facts

  • HC Slovan Bratislava defeated HK Dukla Michalovce 3:0.
  • Goal scorers for Slovan were Adam Cedzo, Patrik Bačik and Liam Pecararo.
  • Julian Junca kept his first clean sheet for Slovan Bratislava.
  • Poprad beat Prešov 4:1 to record their first win of the season and move to fifth place in the table.
  • Prešov remain without points and sit bottom of the standings, behind Michalovce.
  • Žilina won 7:2 away at Spišská Nová Ves, their second victory of the new season.
  • Spišská Nová Ves suffered their first defeat and have two points.
  • Zvolen beat Liptovský Mikuláš 4:1 at home, avenging last season’s pre-play-off elimination by the same opponent.
  • HC ’05 Banská Bystrica beat HK Dukla Trenčín 4:3 after a shootout; Roman Faith scored the decisive shootout goal.
  • The league standings were updated after two rounds of the 2026/27 season.

IHM Discussion

The second round left clarity on a few early-season storylines while keeping the table tight. Slovan Bratislava’s 3:0 win underlines a strong start: three different scorers shared the goals, and the clean sheet by Julian Junca provides a concrete defensive marker for the club.

Žilina’s 7:2 victory stands out for margin and scoring output, signalling offensive potency in their opening fixtures. Poprad’s 4:1 win at Prešov delivered a first positive result and an immediate climb to fifth place; by contrast, Prešov remain without points and occupy the bottom of the standings.

Banská Bystrica found their first win in dramatic fashion, a shootout settled by Roman Faith. Across the round the results produced both high-scoring affairs and tight defensive displays, reflected by the clean sheet in Michalovce and the narrow shootout outcome in Trenčín.

Why It Matters

These results shape early-season momentum and the league table after two rounds. Slovan’s spotless start and Junca’s shutout give them a platform to build on, while Žilina’s heavy scoring suggests they can be a dangerous attacking team. Poprad’s first victory and move into fifth place show an immediate response, whereas Prešov’s lack of points leaves them under early pressure. Zvolen also gained a measure of revenge for last season’s pre-play-off exit against Liptovský Mikuláš.

Mini Q&A

Who secured Slovan Bratislava’s 3-0 win at Michalovce?

Adam Cedzo, Patrik Bačik and Liam Pecararo scored the goals for HC Slovan Bratislava in the 3:0 win at HK Dukla Michalovce.

Which Slovan player kept a clean sheet in that game?

Julian Junca recorded his first clean sheet for Slovan Bratislava.

Which match produced the biggest margin of victory in round two?

Žilina’s 7:2 away win at Spišská Nová Ves was the biggest margin of victory in round two.

Who scored the decisive shootout goal for Banská Bystrica?

Roman Faith scored the decisive shootout goal in HC ’05 Banská Bystrica’s 4:3 shootout win at HK Dukla Trenčín.

What was the significance of Poprad’s 4:1 win at Prešov?

Poprad’s 4:1 win was their first victory of the season and moved them to fifth in the table; Prešov remain without points and sit bottom.

Slovan Bratislava to formally seek Czech Extraliga entry

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Slovan Bratislava plans to formally present its interest in joining the Czech Extraliga at a meeting scheduled for the end of September. The intended approach was confirmed by Martin Loukota, director of the Czech Extraliga, who said the league is prepared to hear Slovan’s proposal but that any change would need agreement with the national hockey association because the existing contract defines the number of participants. Loukota listed possible benefits – access to a larger hockey market, increased attractiveness of some matches, new commercial potential and higher media interest – while also warning of complex sporting, economic and logistical consequences. The Slovak club is a nine-time Slovak champion, last winning in 2022, and spent seven seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League in the last decade. Past attempts by Slovan to join the Czech competition were rejected in 2011 and reconsidered by league leadership in 2015.

Key Facts

  • Slovan Bratislava intends to present its interest in joining the Czech Extraliga at the end of September.
  • Martin Loukota, director of the Czech Extraliga, confirmed the forthcoming meeting and said the league is prepared to listen to Slovan’s proposal.
  • Loukota said the league could not unilaterally expand to include a foreign participant and would need to negotiate with the hockey association because an existing contract sets the number of participants.
  • Loukota listed potential upside: access to another significant hockey market, greater attractiveness of some fixtures, new fan and commercial potential, and increased media attention.
  • Slovan Bratislava is a nine-time Slovak champion, most recently in 2022, and also holds one federal-era title.
  • In the last decade Slovan played seven seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
  • Slovan previously sought entry to the Czech Extraliga in 2011 (rejected by Czech clubs) and was discussed again in 2015 by league leadership.
  • Acceptance of Slovan would increase the Extraliga to 15 teams; keeping an even number could open the door to a team from the " Maxa liga".
  • Organisers would need to evaluate sporting, economic and logistical impacts, the competition model, number of participants and potential effects on the calendar and connections between competitions.
  • Possible mitigations under discussion include splitting into Czech and Moravian – Slovak divisions, introducing trip scheduling, and requiring Slovan to compensate Czech clubs for higher travel costs.

IHM Discussion

Slovan Bratislava’s proposal is straightforward in timing but complicated in detail. The club intends to make a formal presentation at the end of September; the Czech Extraliga is prepared to hear it but has not endorsed expansion. Martin Loukota has said any change would also require discussion with the national hockey association, as an agreement between the parties defines the number of participants.

Loukota identified potential benefits in another significant hockey market, more attractive fixtures, fresh fan and commercial potential, and increased media interest. Those possibilities would have to be weighed against the sporting, economic and logistical issues he also identified, including travel costs, the calendar and the competition model.

Adding Slovan would take the league to 15 teams, creating further structural questions. Possible responses include divisional alignment, trip scheduling and the admission of another club to restore an even number of participants. Slovan could also be asked to compensate Czech opponents for additional travel costs.

Slovan’s interest is not new: Czech clubs rejected its proposed entry in 2011, while the possibility was considered again in 2015. The club’s nine Slovak titles and seven KHL seasons add sporting weight to its case, but the legal and logistical questions remain unresolved.

Why It Matters

Admission of Slovan would alter the structure of the Czech top flight and add a prominent Slovak club to the competition. Loukota has identified possible commercial, fan and media benefits, while the proposal would also require decisions on travel costs, the calendar, league format and movement between the top two tiers.

The practical challenge is not limited to adding one club. A 15-team competition could require wider changes to the format, potentially including divisions, trip scheduling or the admission of another team. Any agreement would need to balance sporting, economic and logistical considerations.

Mini Q&A

Has Slovan Bratislava applied to join the Czech Extraliga before?

Yes. Slovan sought to join in 2011 but Czech clubs rejected the application; the club’s possible entry was also discussed by Extraliga leadership in 2015.

Who confirmed the upcoming meeting between Slovan and the Extraliga?

Martin Loukota, director of the Czech Extraliga, confirmed that the league is prepared to hear Slovan’s presentation, which is expected at the end of September.

Would the Extraliga be able to add Slovan unilaterally?

No. Loukota said the league would need to negotiate with the national hockey association because an existing contract defines the number of participants.

How many Slovak championships has Slovan won?

Slovan Bratislava has won nine Slovak championships, most recently in 2022, and also holds one federal-era title.

What practical issues did the article say would need solving if Slovan joined?

The practical issues include sporting, economic and logistical impacts, the competition model, participant numbers, calendar effects, movement between competitions, travel costs, possible divisional splits or trip scheduling, and potential compensation for increased travel expenses.

Is there a proposed starting season for Slovan if accepted?

No. It is not yet clear from which season Slovan would join if Czech clubs agreed to its admission.

What Comes Next

Slovan Bratislava is expected to present its interest to the Czech Extraliga at the end of September. The Extraliga would then need to discuss the proposal with the national hockey association because the current agreement defines the number of participants. It remains unclear from which season Slovan could join if an agreement were reached.

IHM Final View

For now, the matter is procedural rather than decisive: Slovan intends to present its case and the league is prepared to listen. Any progress will depend on discussions with the national hockey association and on resolving the practical sporting, economic and logistical questions. The end-of-September presentation is the immediate next step, not confirmation of entry.

Surový explains Slovan’s decision to stay in the dressing room

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Slovan Bratislava’s players remained in their dressing-room while Nitra raised the club’s championship banner, and assistant coach Tomáš Surový has taken responsibility for the decision. An arena announcer told spectators before the ceremony that Slovan had declined to participate and stayed in the locker-room. After the match – a derby spiced by last season’s final – Surový said it was a conscious act of respect to leave the ceremony to the home side, likening the practice to an incident he recalled from ten years ago when he was with Banská Bystrica. Slovan beat Nitra 4-2. The game was also notable for Samuel Buček’s difficult return to his former club: Buček, who transferred from Nitra to Slovan after the season, faced a hostile reception from the crowd but scored what Surový described as the winning goal.

Key Facts

  • An arena announcer said before the flag-raising that Slovan’s players had refused to attend and remained in the dressing-room.
  • Assistant coach Tomáš Surový admitted after the match that the decision for Slovan to stay in the locker-room was his personal decision.
  • Surový said Nitra ” fully deserved” the ceremony and that Slovan had ” no business being there.”
  • Surový referenced a similar choice he made ten years earlier while with Banská Bystrica and said he had personally called Braňo Mezei on that occasion.
  • Surový asked rhetorically whether visiting teams in the NHL attend a champion’s banner-raising and used that to justify Slovan’s stance.
  • Surový said: ” The championship flag and celebrations belong to the home team and not the visiting team.”
  • Slovan won the derby against Nitra by a final score of 4-2 (locked final score).
  • Surový described the game as ” a derby game spiced by last year’s final” and said there was no dominance from either side.
  • Samuel Buček, who moved from Nitra to Slovan after the previous season, received an unfavourable reception from the Nitra crowd.
  • Surový said Buček ” handled it, he managed it and even scored the winning goal” and that it was good it happened in the first game so it is behind him.
  • Surový characterised the decision as showing respect to the home side after losing a final, which he said Slovan had already demonstrated in April.

IHM Discussion

A visiting team choosing not to join a home side for a championship flag-raising sits at the intersection of ritual, rivalry and coaching authority. Tomáš Surový framed Slovan’s absence as respect rather than provocation, arguing that the celebration belonged to Nitra. He recalled making a similar decision ten years earlier while with Banská Bystrica, and twice stressed that this was his personal call.

On the ice, Slovan won 4-2 in a derby Surový described as competitive rather than one-sided. The night also carried added weight for Samuel Buček, who had moved from Nitra to Slovan after the season. He received an unfavourable reception from the crowd but scored the winning goal, adding another layer to a match already shaped by last season’s final.

Surový’s position was clear: he believed it would have been wrong for the visitors to share a home team’s championship ceremony. Others may see the etiquette differently, but his decision ensured that the focus remained on Nitra’s celebration before the teams settled matters on the ice.

Why It Matters

The episode highlights the informal etiquette around championship ceremonies in Slovak hockey. Surový’s public explanation makes clear how he believes visiting teams should approach such occasions: the home club should have the stage.

It also added another dimension to a rivalry already shaped by last season’s final and Buček’s move to Slovan. His winning goal against his former club ensured that the ceremony, the transfer and the result became part of the same derby narrative.

Finally, it shows that coaches influence more than tactics. Surový’s personal decision determined Slovan’s public approach to the ceremony and became a central talking point around the match.

Mini Q&A

Why did Slovan’s players stay in the dressing-room during Nitra’s flag-raising?

Assistant coach Tomáš Surový said it was his personal decision because Nitra ” fully deserved” the ceremony and Slovan had ” no business being there,” arguing the championship flag and celebrations belong to the home team.

Who announced the visiting team had refused to attend the ceremony?

An arena announcer informed spectators before the flag-raising that Slovan’s players had refused to come and had remained in the locker-room.

What was the match result?

Slovan won the derby against Nitra by a final score of 4-2.

What role did Samuel Buček play in the match?

Samuel Buček, who transferred from Nitra to Slovan after the season, dealt with a hostile reception from the crowd and scored what Surový described as the winning goal.

Did Surový offer any precedent for his decision?

Yes. Surový recalled doing the same ten years ago while with Banská Bystrica and said he had even called Braňo Mezei at that time to make clear they would show respect to the hosts.

IHM Final View

Tomáš Surový took full responsibility for keeping Slovan in the dressing room and presented the decision as respect for Nitra’s championship celebration. Slovan then won 4-2 in a closely contested derby, with former Nitra forward Samuel Buček scoring the winning goal. The episode showed how ceremony, rivalry and a recent transfer can add extra edge to an early-season meeting.