The Czech Extraliga has some clubs with great tradition in the CHL year, and Pilsen is one of them as they have competed in the Czech top tier league for decades. Three seasons ago, the Indians won their first ever domestic title and now they will meet Stavanger and Nitra in the CHL Group J.

Hockey in Pilsen has gone through its ups and downs throughout the years but since the homecoming of Martin Straka, a Pilsen-born patriot who made his name playing the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers, the club stepped up and ended the long waiting for first Czech title.

Famous names in Pilsen’s history

HC Pilsen was established in 1929 and contributed a bunch of great names to the game during the years. The club never reached the highest spot in the past century, but stood for one of the solid bases in the Czech hockey - Bohuslav Ebermann remains to be one of the best with his collection of six medals from World Championships including one title, a silver medal from 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics and final of Canadian cup from the same year.

Another member of the Czech Hall of Fame from Pilsen is Milan Kajkl, who shared most of his success internationally with Ebermann as they played in the same years. The Pilsen-born defender also added two Czech titles with Dukla Jihlava while he was serving his military service there.

From more recent history, there are two other hall-of-famers: Jiří Kučera and Martin Straka. Kučera is a World Champion from 1996 and an SHL winner with Luleå from the same season. Martin Straka is the heart and soul of the club recently - he joined the team again in 2008 after more than a successful international campaign. Straka, together with another Pilsener Jaroslav Špaček, played important roles in both the Golden 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and the 2005 World Championship triumph in Vienna. With a Stanley Cup final in 1996, he was very close to becoming a member of the Triple Gold Club.

After his homecoming, he captained the Indians to their first title in history and called time on his career one season later. Now he remains owner and GM of the club.

The sweetest Championship title

As mentioned before, the glorious moment came in 2012/13 season with first ever Czech title in club’s history. The way through the play-offs wasn’t easy. Straka’s team had to come back from 3-2 deficit in quarterfinals keep the hopes alive. Semi-final victory over Slavia followed and Pilsen appeared in their first final series since 1992 loss to Trenčín (SVK). Now in the final again they had Zlín standing in the way, a well-known team for CHL followers.

With two games won by each team, Pilsen won the crucial fifth game so they could close the series back at home. However, Zlín managed to pull back and send the finals into game 7. The Indians were never losing in the game, but failed to keep their lead each time after scoring. At the very end of third period, Čech equalised for Zlín just seconds before the horn and sent the dramatic climax of the season into overtime. Great chances on both sides were missed before Straka finally wrapped it up with a snap shot from between the circles timed at 96:15!

Watch out for

Netminder Matěj Machovský is a player worth looking out for, as he was the only goalie who managed to get on the Czech 2016 Worlds roster from the domestic league. In front of him is one of the most experienced defensemen in the country – Petr Kadlec. He has played more than 1,100 games in the Czech league so far. In the offense, the fans should pay attention to captain Ondřej Kratěna, whose eight domestic championship titles set a record among the Czech players, not even mentioning the Finnish title with Kärpät from 2007/08 season.

Fun facts

After Straka came back home to Pilsen, the club chose a new direction using players from overseas. The USA and Pilsen share a piece of history as the West-Bohemian city was only one of few that were liberated by the US army instead of the Red one coming from the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. Pilseners are proud of this fact and celebrate the liberation anniversary annually.

That’s why there is an American Indian face on the club’s crest as the 2nd Infantry Division that came to Pilsen in 1945 used it, and that’s why the fans have a special relationship with the guys coming not only from the States, but from Canada as well.

At the moment, there are three players born in North America. Canadian Colton Yellow Horn joined Pilsen just before the season while Nick Johnson and Ryan Hollweg both enjoy their lives in Pilsen for several years now. Both played their part in golden 2012/13 season, Johnson with his sniping ability and Hollweg with tough hits and brilliant penalty killing.

Team facts

CHL seasons:

The team is making its debut this season

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