Radko Gudas: The Enforcer of Czech Hockey Teams – WC 2024 Preview

For years, he was like the tough guy from the Italian actors Bud Spencer, after which he followed the name of one of his famous people. In short, Radko Gudas “if he gets angry, he gets mean.” And even if he has improved his game a little, lost a few kilos, the Czech still has a sharp man in him, who is ready to stand up for his. teammates on the ice.

“It was always my job. We have a great team here, you can’t say someone wouldn’t stand up for the other. We’ll all cover each other’s backs.’

Gudas is the clear number 1 for these issues, although there is a lot hidden in others as well, which Ondřej Palát proved in the last national team match in Brno against Switzerland. Afterwards, he said with a smile: “Gudy must be jealous.”

The defender himself was only watching it from the audience and was delighted with Palát’s hit. “He did very well and I’m glad that there are more guys here playing this way,” said Gudas, who together with Palát will receive the letter “A” on their jerseys during the tournament so they will be -assistant to captain Červenka.

Speaking of hard men, maybe another man could join them during the competition, but whose actions are completely different on the ice. David Pastrňák got a fight in the night duel of the Stanley Cup, which Boston lost to Florida 1:6. Gudas started the battle in the morning and said with thanks: “It’s a piece! Good thing he went for it. They were losing and he showed the whole team that he would do anything to win.”

Now the 33-year-old player is looking forward to the start of the tournament on Friday. As it happens in Prague, he has a large family nearby (he has four children).

“The most obvious thing is that we play at home, when we go somewhere for coffee or lunch, we don’t have to speak in English. But that he would allow himself to be under pressure, that is not him. We all know it will be a big competition, but we are prepared for it. I think that’s also why they brought guys who are mentally prepared for it,” says Gudas.