Ostrava, Czech Republic – HC Vítkovice Ridera has unveiled a new coaching staff for the upcoming season, headlined by the appointment of Yorick Treille as head coach. The team is banking on a blend of experience, club loyalty, and tactical acumen to propel them back into contention in the Czech Extraliga. Treille will be supported by assistants Pavel Trnka, Radek Philipp, and Luděk Krayzel, with Martin Prusek taking on the role of goaltending coach. The announcement follows the departure of Václav Varaďa, and signals a clear intent to revitalize the team’s performance.
The new leadership group shares a deep connection to the Vítkovice organization, with each member having either played or coached for the club. This emphasis on club identity is a deliberate strategy, according to team officials, aiming to instill a sense of pride and fighting spirit within the squad. The coaching staff’s primary objective is not only to improve results but also to fundamentally change the team’s style of play, including refining special teams strategies.
A Familiar Face Returns: Yorick Treille
Yorick Treille, 45, is no stranger to Vítkovice fans. The French forward played for the club from 2008 to 2010, becoming a fan favorite with his tenacious play and crucial goals during the team’s run to the final in 2010. He notably scored the opening goal in the home leg of the final against Pardubice and a pivotal goal in the quarterfinal series against Sparta Prague.
Treille’s playing career spanned several leagues, including stints in Switzerland, Finland, Germany, and his native France, as well as 170 games in the American Hockey League (AHL). He also represented France in nine elite group World Championships and four Division 1A tournaments.
But, Treille’s recent success has approach on the bench. He began his coaching career with Mulhouse in the French Ligue Magnus in 2018/19, and quickly ascended through the ranks. He served as an assistant coach for the French national team before taking the helm as head coach of the French U20 team, leading them to promotion to the elite division. He then served as an assistant with the French national team, participating in multiple World Championships and Olympic qualification.
In 2022/23, Treille joined Servette Geneva as an assistant coach, helping the club win its first-ever Swiss National League A (NLA) championship. The following year, Servette achieved another historic feat, winning the Champions Hockey League – a first for a Swiss club. He then led Geneva as head coach for two seasons. Currently, Treille continues to serve as the head coach of the French national team, having guided them through four World Championships and the recent Olympic Games, where they challenged the Czech team before being eliminated in the quarterfinal playoff. This international experience is expected to be a valuable asset for Vítkovice.
Supporting Cast: A Wealth of Experience
Alongside Treille, the coaching staff boasts a wealth of experience and a strong connection to the club. Pavel Trnka has been involved with Vítkovice since 2007, initially as a player and later as a coach and administrator. The soon-to-be 50-year-old played 415 NHL games for the Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers and represented the Czech Republic at the 2003 World Championship. He has been an assistant coach with Vítkovice for six seasons, with interruptions, and currently serves as the head coach of the Vítkovice youth program and the Czech junior national team, where he focuses on defensive play and penalty killing. He recently led the Czech junior team to a silver medal at the most recent championship.
Radek Philipp, a Vítkovice native and product of the club’s youth system, brings a lifetime of experience with the organization. The 44-year-old defenseman played seven seasons with Vítkovice, with a brief stint in Finland, before retiring with the club in 2016. He also represented the Czech Republic internationally, including appearances in the Spengler Cup and Champions Hockey League. Philipp has previously served as an assistant coach with Vítkovice, including during the 2022/23 season when the team reached the extraliga semi-finals and their run to the Champions Hockey League semi-finals.
Luděk Krayzel, another Vítkovice legend, played 300 games for the club over 11 seasons. He won silver and bronze medals with Vítkovice in the 1996/97 and 1997/98 seasons, respectively. After retiring, Krayzel began his coaching career in nearby Poruba and has worked his way through the Vítkovice youth system, currently leading the U15 team. He also serves as the head coach of the VTM selection for the Moravian-Silesian region.
Completing the staff is Martin Prusek, a renowned former goaltender who will serve as the team’s goaltending coach. Prusek, a recent 50-year-old, is a celebrated figure in Vítkovice history, having been a key player during the club’s successful runs in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He played 58 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets and won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the 1999 World Championship. Prusek returns to Vítkovice after a four-year stint with Olomouc, bringing with him eleven years of experience developing goaltenders within the Vítkovice organization, as well as experience with the Czech national team at various age levels.
The coaching staff will operate closely with the club’s management on player personnel decisions for the upcoming season. The focus will be on building a team that embodies the club’s values and can compete at the highest level of the Czech Extraliga.
HC Vítkovice Ridera will look to build on this new foundation as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The team’s next steps will involve finalizing the roster and preparing for the start of the season. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress through the official HC Vítkovice Ridera website and social media channels.
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