The Czech men’s national hockey team has made a last-minute roster adjustment ahead of its upcoming preparation camp, summoning Energie Karlovy Vary forward Tomáš Černoch to replace the injured Kevin Klíma. The change comes as Klíma, a key contributor for the national squad in recent international competitions, was ruled out due to an upper-body injury sustained during club play.
According to the Czech Ice Hockey Association’s official announcement released on Monday, Černoch will join the team for its pre-tournament training session in Prague beginning later this week. The 26-year-old winger has been one of the most consistent performers in the Tipsport Liga this season, recording 18 goals and 22 assists in 42 games for Energie Karlovy Vary as of mid-March.
Klíma’s absence represents a notable blow to the Czechs’ offensive depth. The 24-year-old forward had accumulated 12 points in 18 appearances for the national team over the past year, including a goal and two assists during the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Prague, and Ostrava. Medical staff confirmed the injury requires approximately three to four weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the upcoming preparation phase but leaving open the possibility of a return for the World Championship if healing progresses as expected.
Černoch’s call-up marks his first senior national team invitation since a brief appearance during the 2022 Euro Hockey Tour. The Plzeň-born product of the Škoda Plzeň academy has gradually established himself as a reliable two-way forward in the Czech top league, known for his strong forechecking, responsible defensive play, and ability to create scoring chances off the rush.
Speaking to reporters after practice in Karlovy Vary on Tuesday, Černoch described the call-up as a “dream come true” and credited his recent form to increased confidence and improved consistency in all zones. “I got the call yesterday afternoon while I was at home with my family,” Černoch said. “My son, who’s a huge hockey fan, was thrilled when I told him. It means a lot to share this moment with him.”
The timing of the call-up coincides with Energie Karlovy Vary’s push for a playoff berth in the Tipsport Liga. Currently sitting eighth in the 14-team league with 78 points through 52 games, the club is just two points ahead of ninth-place Mountfield HK with three games remaining in the regular season. Head coach Michal Škovira confirmed Černoch will be available for the team’s final regular-season match against HC Vítkovice Ridera on Friday before joining the national team camp.
National team head coach Kari Jalonen emphasized the importance of maintaining roster flexibility throughout the preparation period. “Injuries are part of the game, especially at this time of year when players are coming off long club seasons,” Jalonen said in a video statement released by the association. “We have a deep pool of talented players in the domestic league, and Tomáš has earned this opportunity through hard work and consistent performances. We’re confident he can contribute immediately.”
The Czech Republic is scheduled to participate in the Euro Hockey Tour’s Carlson Hockey Games in April, serving as the final major tune-up before the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark. The tournament, scheduled for May 9-25, will feature 16 teams competing for the title, with the Czechs placed in Group B alongside Sweden, Switzerland, and Latvia.
Analysts note that Černoch’s addition provides Jalonen with another option on the right wing, particularly valuable given the team’s recent reliance on veteran forwards like Jakub Voráček and Roman Červenka for offensive production. His ability to play both wings and kill penalties adds versatility that could prove useful in tight-checking international competition.
For Černoch, the call-up represents the culmination of a steady upward trajectory since turning pro in 2016. After spending his early professional years between the second and third tiers of Czech hockey, he broke through with Energie Karlovy Vary in the 2020-21 season, recording 20 points in 48 games. His production has steadily increased each year since, culminating in a career-high 40 points last season before this year’s offensive output.
The player’s development has been closely monitored by national team scouts, who have praised his work ethic and coachability. Jalonen’s staff has tracked his progress through video analysis and occasional in-person evaluations during Tipsport Liga games, particularly noting his improved decision-making with the puck and increased willingness to shoot in high-danger areas.
As the Czech team prepares for its final push toward World Championship readiness, the Klíma-to-Černoch swap underscores the depth available within the Czech hockey system. While losing an experienced international player like Klíma is never ideal, the opportunity to inject fresh energy and reward consistent domestic performers aligns with the national program’s long-term development philosophy.
The national team will open its preparation camp on Thursday at the Tipsport Arena in Prague, with the first intra-squad scrimmage scheduled for Saturday morning. Fans can follow updates through the Czech Ice Hockey Association’s official website and social media channels, with live coverage of select practices planned for the association’s YouTube platform.
Looking ahead, the Czechs will face Sweden in their opening Carlson Hockey Games match on April 10 in Gothenburg, followed by games against Finland and Switzerland later in the week. The tournament concludes on April 13, giving the team roughly three weeks to finalize preparations before departing for the World Championship in Scandinavia.
For now, Tomáš Černoch will focus on making the most of his unexpected opportunity, aware that strong performances in the upcoming camp and tournament could significantly impact his standing with the national team heading into the 2025-26 season.
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