The Czech Ice Hockey Association’s Executive Committee has finalized its new national team management structure, appointing NHL legend Patrik Eliáš as general manager and Richard Král as assistant coach on two-year contracts. The duo joins a staff that includes head coach Zdeněk Moták, assistant Pavel Gross, and goaltending coach Jaroslav Kameš.
Eliáš, a two-time Stanley Cup champion who spent his entire 20-season NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, ranks second all-time among Czech players with 1,025 points. Czech Hockey president Alois Hadamczik praised the hire, noting that Eliáš possesses both an extensive overview of NHL talent and a deep understanding of domestic players thanks to his recent management work at home with HC Slavia Prague.
“Patrik is a well-known personality not only in our country,” said Alois Hadamczik, president of Czech Hockey. “He has an overview of the players in the NHL and, thanks to his work in the Czech Republic in recent years, also of the players here at home. He has managerial skills and I believe that he will be a benefit to Czech hockey.”
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