President Luc Tardif handing over the Male Player of the Year Award to Roman Cervenka.
photo: © HC Dynamo Pardubice / Lukáš Fabián
It was a game with plenty of interest and drama, but before it began there was a special presentation.
Returning to the Czech Extraliga after eight years in Switzerland, Czech national team captain Roman Cervenka was presented with the IIHF Male Player of the Year award by IIHF president Luc Tardif in a pre-game ceremony last night in Pardubice.
Cervenka captained the Czechs to gold at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship this past May in Prague, and he also led SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in scoring while captaining that Swiss club. He earned 31.3 per cent of all votes, just slightly more than Switzerland’s Roman Josi (30.3 per cent). More than 100 media from among the top 22 hockey nations participated in the voting.
“It’s always cool to get something like this, especially here in Czechia where I first started playing hockey,” Cervenka said. “And now I think every game in Pardubice is sold out, so it will be lots of fun.”
As for the Worlds, the 38-year-old captain looked back fondly at an amazing tournament for the hosts.
“We really enjoyed our two weeks in Prague, and the fans were unbelievable every game. It gave us a special energy every night. We ended up world champions, so there are lots of memories. But now we move forward, and it’s a new season, so we have to focus on that. When we see the guys from that team, it will always be a special memory.”
Returning to the Czech Extraliga after eight years in Switzerland, Czech national team captain Roman Cervenka was presented with the IIHF Male Player of the Year award by IIHF president Luc Tardif in a pre-game ceremony last night in Pardubice.
Cervenka captained the Czechs to gold at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship this past May in Prague, and he also led SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in scoring while captaining that Swiss club. He earned 31.3 per cent of all votes, just slightly more than Switzerland’s Roman Josi (30.3 per cent). More than 100 media from among the top 22 hockey nations participated in the voting.
“It’s always cool to get something like this, especially here in Czechia where I first started playing hockey,” Cervenka said. “And now I think every game in Pardubice is sold out, so it will be lots of fun.”
As for the Worlds, the 38-year-old captain looked back fondly at an amazing tournament for the hosts.
“We really enjoyed our two weeks in Prague, and the fans were unbelievable every game. It gave us a special energy every night. We ended up world champions, so there are lots of memories. But now we move forward, and it’s a new season, so we have to focus on that. When we see the guys from that team, it will always be a special memory.”
Participants posing during the best players presentation, from left to right: Matyáš Filip (Rytíři Kladno), Luc Tardif (IIHF), Petr Dědek (owner of HC Dynamo Pardubice), Martin Kaut (HC Dynamo Pardubice).
photo: © HC Dynamo Pardubice / Lukáš Fabián
Cervenka has represented his country at the World Juniors (2005), the last four Olympics, eleven World Championships, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. His only other gold came at the 2010 Worlds.
“Honestly, playing for the national team is my true love, and I’m so proud every time I put the national jersey on for a game. I think the older I get, the more I have enjoyed it because really you never know when the last game will be. I try to enjoy every game with the jersey. It’s a very special feeling.”
Last night’s game was the season opener for Pardubice, which won the Czech regular season title last year. They were playing Kladno, a team led by 52-year-old Jaromir Jagr, who is now in his 37th season of professional hockey. In the battle of great veterans, Cervenka had the last laugh, though. He recorded two assists to Jagr’s one, and Pardubice defeated Kladno 5-1.
And for Cervenka, a storied career continues back home, as he hopes to have another strong season and represent Czechia again at the Worlds in Denmark and Sweden next May.
“I’m honoured to get this trophy, especially now as I’m a bit older," he said. "You appreciate the special moments a little more."
“Honestly, playing for the national team is my true love, and I’m so proud every time I put the national jersey on for a game. I think the older I get, the more I have enjoyed it because really you never know when the last game will be. I try to enjoy every game with the jersey. It’s a very special feeling.”
Last night’s game was the season opener for Pardubice, which won the Czech regular season title last year. They were playing Kladno, a team led by 52-year-old Jaromir Jagr, who is now in his 37th season of professional hockey. In the battle of great veterans, Cervenka had the last laugh, though. He recorded two assists to Jagr’s one, and Pardubice defeated Kladno 5-1.
And for Cervenka, a storied career continues back home, as he hopes to have another strong season and represent Czechia again at the Worlds in Denmark and Sweden next May.
“I’m honoured to get this trophy, especially now as I’m a bit older," he said. "You appreciate the special moments a little more."