It is no longer a secret that European hockey would like to match the overseas one in the foreseeable future, at least in terms of the size of the ice rink. Verva Litvínov also stamps this clear vision in the highest domestic competition. Starting next season, the ice rink will be played there on the same dimensions as in the NHL.
Unfortunately, Litvínov does not have any huge and extensive reconstruction, but he has decided to at least partially modernize the legendary Ivan Hlinka stadium. New guardrails were replaced, including safety Plexiglas.
On this occasion, the rink was narrowed, which currently, with dimensions of 60 x 26 meters, belongs to the normal dimensions for arenas in the NHL. It is a full three meters less than the area of the Litvínov winter park last season.
„Hockey will be very contact. It will definitely be more interesting for people because there will always be something going on. It’s for hockey’s benefit,” Verva head coach Vladimír Růžička acknowledges the change club website. According to him, the game will be faster and there will be more personal fights.
The replacement of the guards itself was inevitable, as Verva would no longer meet the license conditions for participation in the highest Czech competition from the new season. These are mainly the height of the plexiglass, which must be 240 cm high behind the goals and at least 180 cm on the sides of the field outside the players’ benches.
SECURITY IN THE MAIN ROLE
One of the main initiatives was also player safety. Now the Plexiglas must meet the required elasticity, so that unpleasant injuries do not occur when hitting the guardrail.
“From the new seasons must be flexible plexiglass, no longer rigid glass. The impact hurts on this one too, but the old ones used to have shoulder injuries, now the plexiglass will bend and bring you back. Great thing for safety. The original fencing didn’t budge, like jumping into a wall when someone hits you on the guardrail.” explained Růžička for iToday.
The entire investment cost the city of Litvínov 4.3 million crowns. “We hope that the new guardrails will serve well and help to many victories not only for the A team, but also for the youth categories,” recounted enthusiastically the deputy mayor of the city of Litvínov, Karel Rosenbaum.
The general director of the club, Pavel Hynek, did not spare words of praise for the city, who thanked him for the financial contribution via the club’s official website.
Source: HC Verva Litvínov, iDnes
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