The Czech world champion from 2024, Lukáš Dostál, was recently interviewed about the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. In doing so, he used words that irritated some Slovak fans, as well as the media. However, the goalkeeper of the Anaheim Ducks made a nice gesture and put his statement into perspective.
13.01.2026 20:36
Photo: CTK / AP / Ethan Swope
Lukáš Dostál before the November game against Boston.
A bright unit of pro league “ducks” and one of the main drivers of the national team at the golden home world championship in 2024, he was naturally also nominated for the Czech Olympic selection, where he should once again be among the team leaders.
In the current season, the Czech Republic can boast up to eight representatives. He helped himself by comparing himself to Slovak hockey players.
“”It’s a beautiful picture of the Czech goalkeeper school. We have more goalkeepers in the NHL than Slovak players, which is certainly a certain satisfaction.
Hats off to what the head coach of the Czech hockey goalkeepers, Radek Tóth, has been building for years,” stated Dostál.
His words could be understood as a mockery of Slovak hockey. Dostál thus penetrated the headlines of local media such as “Česká hviezda dug into Slovak hockey” or “Dostál really leaned on Slovaks”.
The Czech representative stated the bare fact, since during the current season only six Slovak representatives have played in at least a dozen matches (Slovakia has been waiting for a man between the three sticks for a long time), on the contrary, seven Czech goalkeepers appeared in the goal.
Headlines from Slovak newspapers and websites apparently reached Dostál, who decided to clarify his statements.
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“That excerpt from the article didn’t sound the best and deserves an apology,” he posted an addendum in stories on his Instagram.
“I spoke about how many Czech goalies we have in the NHL is a satisfaction. Unfortunately, it was formulated and sounded as if I was mocking someone, and that was never my goal.
I always respect other countries and I would never make fun of anyone. I have a lot of friends in Slovakia and I respect Slovak hockey and its history,” added the 25-year-old goalkeeper.
Czech hockey players will enter the Olympic hockey tournament in Group A on February 12 with a match against Canada. A day later they will be tested by France and they will finish the group stage on February 15 against Switzerland.
