Earning a place in the Champions Hockey League is an honour in itself, yet some teams from the Czech Republic have experienced more success than others during their time in the CHL. Among the eleven teams which have represented the Czech Republic through the first six seasons, six squads have advanced to the Quarter-Finals, while two have suited up for the CHL Final. After surveying the contenders for the top Czech team, here are some clubs to consider as the best of the best.
Oceláři Třinec
Situated in the northeastern corner of the Czech Republic, the city of Třinec has enjoyed several seasons of CHL hockey. Oceláři Třinec have qualified for the CHL six times in seven years affording them plenty of experience playing against Europe’s elite. In the 2017/18 season, Oceláři played their best hockey reaching the CHL Semi-Finals. They mustered a 9-3 record and led the league with 28 points to go along with 38 total tallies - second only to Växjö Lakers’ 41. Still, these statistics paint only part of the picture as the club has failed to advance further than the Group Stage in three out of the five past seasons. Turning our attention to the Czech capital, our next team earned the chance to hoist the European trophy with a trip to the CHL Final in 2016/17.
Sparta Prague
An otherwise solid season was spoiled as Sparta Prague fell to the Frölunda Indians in the CHL Final in 2016/17. In this campaign, they achieved a 53.85 winning percentage, potted 38 goals, and registered a 90.24% on the penalty kill (their best being 94.29% in 2015/16). Sparta managed to reach the Round of 16 each time and sport a +27 goal differential which is tied for 9th All-Time with Djurgården Stockholm. Yet, they have only qualified for three of the six CHL seasons; the 2016/17 season was the last time the team competed in the league. Traveling northeast of Prague you’ll come to the city of Liberec, home to the Bílí Tygři hockey club.
Bílí Tygři Liberec
Bílí Tygři Liberec secured their 6th CHL appearance this season, matching Oceláři Třinec’s number, after becoming Czech Extraliga champions. In the 2017/18 season, Bílí Tygři made strides by eliminating the league heavyweight Frölunda Indians and advancing to the Semi-Finals. The team from Liberec have also laced up for 40 contests - the highest total of any Czech team. But Bílí Tygři’s performance has been pegged by inconsistency. Across their five appearances, they have failed to string together successful seasons, only advancing to the Round of 16 three times. Despite these shortcomings, Bílí Tygři continue to battle back into the CHL fold year in and year out. Our last club to consider comes from the city of Hradec Králové.
Mountfield HK
Last season, Mountfield HK shocked the CHL when they made it all the way to the Final against the Frölunda Indians. After failing to advance past the Group Stage in both prior appearances, the team soared to an impressive 8-2-3 record in 2019/20. They were also tied with Djurgården Stockholm for the 3rd most goals at 36. Besides Sparta, Mountfield HK are only the second squad from the Czech Republic to skate in the Final. With such a distinction, it’s hard not to consider them a contender as the most elite Czech team. Does their trip to the Final compensate for their previous poor play?
According to the all-time statistics, both Oceláři Třinec and Bílí Tygři Liberec are tied for 15th place among teams that have seen CHL action, while Sparta occupies the 17th spot and Mountfield holds the 28th position. On paper, it appears that Liberec and Třinec are the best clubs to represent the Czech Republic in the CHL primarily due to their longevity in the league. However, a closer look at their numbers reveals some key discrepancies in their play. Sparta have suited up for fewer contests, yet they possess a proven record of playing time along with a trip to the Final. Mountfield’s monumental surge during the 2019/20 season certainly strengthens their claim as the top team, as well. All stats aside, each team has earned a place in the discussion for the best Czech team. In the upcoming 2020/21 season, fans will get to see three of these clubs compete as Sparta, Třinec, and Liberec each play for a chance to bring the Czech Republic its first CHL title. Who do you think has the skill to go all the way?