2023 Under-20 World Hockey Championship: Czech Republic’s Lineup, Match Schedule, and Expectations

The Under-20 World Hockey Championship will start with a federal derby against the Czech Republic, which sent the third most experienced team among all the participants to Gothenburg. Striker Jiří Kulich, currently the best scorer in the overseas AHL, will be the biggest ace up his sleeve even after a year. The Czech captain should be one of the biggest stars of the entire championship.

At the same time, the opening meeting will be extremely crucial for the subsequent course of the group, as part of the fight for the highest position until the quarter-final battles. During the preparation, the Czech Republic checked the selection of Latvia and Finland, while they lost to a stronger opponent on paper 1:4. They scored a narrow 4:3 win against Latvia.

GOALKEEPERS

After a year, Bránkovisko lost a key figure in the form of Tomáš Suchánek, who played a decisive role in the journey to silver. A new trio of goalkeepers will stand between the three poles, and two of them can boast of experience from the under-18 championship. The injury also prevented Jan Špunar, who is one of the best goalkeepers in the Canadian WHL, from participating in the tournament.

The position of the unit should be held by the youngest of the trio Michael Hrabal. The second-highest drafted goalkeeper in this year’s draft from the 38th place is a prospect of the Arizona Coyotes and is active in the NCAA college this season. In April of this year, he worked as a unit at the U18 World Championship.

A 19-year-old also works overseas Jakub Vondras, catcher in the Canadian OHL and teammate of Dalibor Dvorský. The 2022 6th round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes will make his first ever major junior tournament appearance.

He should be his competitor for the number two position Michael Schnattinger from the domestic junior extra league. In the Liberec jersey, he ranks among the best goalkeepers in the competition.

Czech Republic before the friendly match with Latvia. Source: ceskyhokej.cz

DEFENDERS

The defense had to deal with huge losses as well. From the past championship, he will also represent himself in the national team a year later Tomáš Hamara, playing in the Canadian OHL. It will be the third junior championship for the prospect of the Ottawa Senators, who selected him last year in the 3rd round. Together with Aleš Čech will try to use the experience from the previous silver road.

There is also a family bond in the form of well-known names in the selection. The youngest player in the nomination is 17 years old Adam Jiříček, i.e. the brother of the better-known David Jiříček, who was declared the best defenseman of the championship a year ago and currently works in the NHL. His younger brother is a prospect for the upcoming draft and is currently in the top 15 in the rankings. Similarly, it is also the same age Tomáš Galvasbrother of Jakub Galvas (until recently a Chicago Blackhawks player).

The selection in the 3rd round of last year’s draft will also be an important part of the defense Mark Alscher, who will primarily be in charge of defensive duties. Together with Tomáš Cibulek, they will be among the key figures in the defensive ranks.

Czech Republic before the friendly match with Latvia. Source: ceskyhokej.cz

ATTACKERS

The striker arrived directly from overseas as the last reinforcement Jiří Kulich. The Czech captain was released by the Buffalo Sabers for national team needs and will thus be included among the absolute stars of the tournament. Last year’s most valuable player at the U18 World Cup, a year ago he earned inclusion in the All-Star team and is currently the best scorer in the overseas AHL. They are expected to become his teammates on offense Eduard Šalé (1. color Seattle Kraken) a Matyáš Šapovaliv (2. kolo Vegas Golden Knights).

He also passed the entry draft Jakub Stancl, who was chosen in the 4th round by St. Louis Blues. Only the 18-year-old winger is currently active in the Swedish competition. He starts in nearby Finland Adam Bareš and another 9 players will arrive from overseas. One of the resounding ones will be Ondrej Becher or Dominik Rymonwho are among the leading players in the WHL.

He will also appear in the jersey of the national team Adam Židlickýson of the legend Marek Židlický.

Czech Republic before the friendly match with Latvia. Source: ceskyhokej.cz

MATCHES WITH SLOVAKIA

Slovakia has been waiting for a victory against the Czech Republic for 8 long years. This is largely due to the fact that since the 2015 championship, these two teams have only met twice, and the last time was in the summer of 2022. The Czech Republic managed to beat Slovakia 5-4 when Gabriel Szturc decided with his accurate strike just 2 minutes before the end of the match.

The last victory of the team from the Tatras was born at the “bronze” championship in 2015, when they beat the Czech Republic 3:0 in the quarter-finals. If we look at the results from the basic groups, Slovakia has beaten its rival only once in its entire history. It happened in December 2001 after a 1:0 result.

A CHANCE AT THE WORLD CUP

In addition to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the main favorite in the form of the USA will appear in the group, followed by Switzerland and a newcomer from Norway. The federal derby could thus significantly influence the fight for the 2nd place in the group. This could help them on their way to defending silver, which will be extremely difficult this year. The Czech Republic waited up to 18 years to win the precious metal from the junior championship, so the main goal will be to advance to the quarter-finals from the leading places. We will be able to consider everything in addition as a surprise.

This is exactly what captain Jiří Kulich will try to do, who, according to paper assumptions, could be one of the best scorers in the tournament and significantly help the team on the way to eventual success. The situation in the goal area will also tell a lot, where Michael Hrabal could increase the chances with his performances.

Program and results of the Czech Republic in B-group WC:26. December, 12:00: SLOVAKIA – Czech Republic
December 27, 17:00: Norway – Czech Republic
December 29, 17:00: Czech Republic – USA
December 31, 17:00: Czech Republic – Switzerland

FORMATIONS FROM THE LAST PREPARATORY MATCH Michael Hrabal (Jakub Vondraš)

Tomáš Hamara – Tomáš Cibulka
Marek Alscher – Tomáš Galvas
Vojtěch Port – Aleš Čech
Matteo Koci

Adam Bareš – Matyáš Šapovaliv – Eduard Šalé
Ondřej Becher – Matyáš Melovský – Dominik Rymon
Jakub Štancl – Robin Sapoušek – Šimon Slavíček
Adam Židlický – Matěj Přibyl – Matěj Maštalířský

2023-12-26 06:30:00
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