As we have already confirmed, HC Pilsen secured qualification for the upcoming CHL season with a third-place regular season finish in the Czech Extraliga.
The club is now competing in the Extraliga play-offs but despite a packed schedule, club captain Milan Gulaš found a moment to reflect upon this season’s earlier Semi-Final CHL finish and what the CHL as a competition means to him and the club.
“This competition is special. It’s a great experience not only for the players but also the clubs that participate. We’re very happy to have qualified again this season,” began 33-year-old Gulaš, who is experiencing one of his best ever seasons in professional hockey. Not only is he the league’s top scorer with 30 goals, but he’s also the league’s most productive player adding 32 assists for a combined total of 62 points - the most he has ever had in a regular season.
“Our run in the CHL last season was great and at times when we weren’t playing so well in the Czech league, our success in the CHL knockout rounds helped us keep our heads up and turn our season around,” said Gulaš when asked about the impact the CHL had on their Extraliga form. Adding that match experience from the CHL helped the team have a strong start to their league season in September.
This season HC Pilsen faced Skellefteå AIK in the Quarter-Finals of the CHL. This match had a special meaning for Gulaš, as he faced coach Tommy Samuelsson – with whom he worked with for two years at Färjestad Karlstad, his previous club. That time HC Pilsen came out on top and advanced to the Semi-Finals where they lost to eventual competition winners Frölunda Indians.
Next season might offer a similar match for the HC Pilsen captain, as Färjestad have also qualified for the upcoming 2019/20 CHL season. When asked about the possibility of a return to Färjestad he had this to say:
“I would definitely like to return to Karlstad. I spent four great seasons there and still have many friends at the club to this day. I really hope it happens.”