Vitkovice Ostrava are well familiar with top-tier hockey as an established member of the Czech Extraliga. They are also well familiar with international club hockey, and this experience can bring success in the Champions Hockey League.
by Tomas Chudy
HC Vítkovice Steel are based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic. The club was founded in 1928 as SK Moravian Ostrava, and their name and logo have evolved over time. The club wore red jerseys and the club's mascot – a knight named Vitek – first appeared on them in the early 1980s. Later, they switched to a blue and white colour combination.
Vitkovice are a long-standing member of the top Czech league, and won Czechoslovakian titles in 1952 and 1981. Their biggest rivalry is with Ocelari Trinec, located only 40 km away. Games between the two teams can be very emotional both on the ice and in the stands.
Significance
Vitkovice have managed to go to the finals of the Czech Extraliga five times (1993, 1997, 2002, 2010 and 2011), but have yet to add a third national championship. They are also among a very small group of European clubs to have been invited to the annual Spengler Cup tournament three times.
The team has a good fanbase, which cheers their team at home games. They often also make trips around the Czech Republic to see their team's away games. The fan club is well-known for its imaginative choreography.
Vitkovice's home rink is Ostravar Arena, formerly called the Palace of Culture and Sport. It opened in 1986. In 2003 and 2004, Ostrava Arena underwent an extensive refurbishment and modernization, within which a three-storey building was built. Another major renovation took place in spring and summer of 2012, in which all seats were replaced.
Ostrava Arena was the main host of the 1994 IIHF World Junior Championship and co-host of the IIHF World Championships in 2004 and 2015. Besides ice hockey, it also hosts other sporting events, such as the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup in tennis, as well as concerts and ice shows.
Legends
Vitkovice have several world champions such as Frantisek Cernik, Filip Kuba, Pavel Kubina, David Moravec, Martin Prusek, Roman Simicek. Cernik is now the club chairman while Prusek works for Vítkovice as an assistant coach.
Team facts
Founded | 1928 |
| Retired numbers | none |
Seasons in top league | 64 |
| Domestic titles | 1952, 1981 |
2015-16 domestic finish | 11th |
| Home rink | Ostravar Arena (capacity 10,004) |
CHL seasons
2015-16: 2nd in Group I, Round of 32
2014-15: 3rd in Group H
NOTE: This article has been updated since its original publication.