Three-time Champions Hockey League participants Mountfield HK are enjoying an amazing season in the Czech Extraliga and are one of the top contenders in the close race for their domestic championship.
Their stand-out results on the ice domestically led the 2019/20 CHL Finalists to become the first team to qualify for the upcoming 2022/23 season of the pan-European competition.
We spoke to Jakub Lev, one of Mountfield’s most experienced players, about what he and his club are expecting from their fourth venture onto Europe’s biggest stage and about a seemingly impossible record that he recently broke.
We’ve proved we can face anyone in EuropeJakub Lev, Mountfield HK
“We are all looking forward to returning and facing some top teams from the best leagues in Europe,” started Lev.
Mountfield’s last game in the CHL was the sold-out 2020 Final in their home town Hradec Králové. The Czechs fought Swedish side Frölunda Gothenburg for the European Trophy but ended up on the losing side that night.
Lev, who joined Mountfield midway through the season, was on the ice for the big game.
The Final against Frölunda was just amazingJakub Lev, Mountfield HK
“I joined the club midway through their CHL campaign, but I was on the ice for both Semi-Finals wins against Djurgården Stockholm,” said the 31-year-old, “next up was the Final against Frölunda which was just amazing. The atmosphere was fantastic.”
“Sadly, we didn’t win, but looking back we recognize what an achievement making a CHL Final is. It was one of the biggest games of my career and a game I will always remember, a great game.”
Could coming so close to the trophy last time around be an extra motivator for the club in 2022/23?
“We’ve proved we can face anyone in Europe,” said Lev, “making the Final again or winning would be huge not only for us, but for Czech hockey in general.”
Lev has played in two CHL seasons, one for previous club HC Pilsen and the other in Mountfield’s colours. What does he enjoy about these games and playing in the CHL in general?
“I enjoy the confrontation of the different playing styles, the different leagues, like when we face teams from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany and so on,” said the Czech native.
“Off the ice I enjoy the travelling across Europe – visiting new cities, sight-seeing. We don’t spend all our time locked up in hotel rooms so I’m looking forward to this aspect as well.”
Mountfield are enjoying an amazing season in the Czech Extraliga and recently won their first ever piece of silverware in club history – the President’s Trophy, awarded to the Czech Extraliga regular season winners.
“I think it’s a massive achievement for the whole organisation, it’s the result of many years of hard work and preparation,” said Lev.
The one-time Czech Extraliga champion recently broke a seemingly impossible record and became the first ever player to feature in 594 consecutive Extraliga games without missing a single game in between.
“I’m really happy to have managed it – it’s incredible,” said Lev, “the road hasn’t always been easy, there have been complications along the way, but it’s a reward for my work day in, day out, for my lifestyle choices and for taking care of myself.”
How does one manage to stay fit, healthy and game-ready over such a long period of time? What’s the key?
“Staying healthy is the main thing, being careful on and off the ice and you also need to have a bit of luck,” said the Extraliga’s new Iron Man.