There will be seven Czech-based clubs in this year’s CHL, and the reason for that is Orli Znojmo, who playin the Austrian-based EBEL. Last year they recorded their best-ever finish in the league, reaching the finals.
by Lukáš Peroutka
Founded in 1933, ice hockey in Znojmo got on a steep rise late in the 20th century. Supported by local businessman, the club quickly grew from a team playing in regional leagues to a Czech Extraliga contender. Gaining two promotions in three seasons, Orli ("Eagles" in English) stepped into the top Czech league in 1999 and spent 10 seasons there, taking bronze medals in the 2005–06 season.
However, in an agricultural region and relatively small town, finding financial support to sustain Extraliga budget was tough. The owner of the club eventually sold its license to Brno in 2009 and the club was on a brink of folding. Yet a group of local businessman formed, founded a new company and managed to form a new team for the Czech second division. Two seasons in the league were largely uneventful, but the club worked on their youth setup and claimed Czech junior championship in 2011 with a strong group of local players who later joined the first team.
With media and spectator interest dwindling, the club made a bold move and joined the EBEL in May 2011, becoming the first-ever Czech team to join an international league (followed by Lev Prague in the KHL soon afterwards).
The decision proved an immediate success. Spectators moved back into the arena and the level of support has gradually increased over years, reaching an average attendance of approximately 3000 last season, more than in the past Extraliga times. Taking advantage of their location on the border, the team attracts a lot of Austrian supporters, too.
Step by step, the club settled in the league and has made playoffs in every single season since joining. After four years of quarterfinal exits, the breakthrough season came in 2015–16. Featuring the league’s MVP and top scorer Colton Yellow Horn, big-framed Austrian defenseman Andre Lakos, and Slovak playmaking duo Peter Pucher and Roman Tomas, the Czech team claimed Champions Hockey League qualification on the final day of regular season by finishing 2nd.
They then went on and beat Dornbirner EC in the quarter-finals and also Black Wings Linz in the semi-finals, falling short only in the finals against odds-on favourites Red Bull Salzburg.
Team facts
| Founded | 1933 | Domestic titles | 0 | |
| Seasons in top league | 15 (10 in CZE, 5 in AUT) | Retired numbers | - | |
| 2015-16 domestic finish | 2nd | Home rink | Nevoga Arena (Capacity 4800) |
CHL seasons:
The team is making its debut this season