HC Energie Karlovy Vary has announced significant roster changes following their historic bronze medal season in the 2025/2026 Czech Extraliga. The club confirmed the departure of head coach Jiří Kalous and five players from the A-team, marking the end of an era that saw the team achieve its first-ever medal in franchise history.
The announcement came shortly after the team celebrated their third-place finish, a milestone that capped a remarkable turnaround for the club. According to the club’s official website, the bronze medal was awarded in an internal ceremony on April 15, 2026, with players receiving their medals following the conclusion of the season.
Head coach Jiří Kalous, who guided the team to its historic achievement, is departing after leading the squad through a season that saw them exceed expectations. Under his leadership, Karlovy Vary secured the bronze medal, adding to the club’s previous accolades of a silver medal in 2008 and a gold medal in 2009.
In addition to the coaching change, five players are set to leave the club as part of the post-season roster overhaul. While the specific names of the departing players were not detailed in the club’s announcement, the departures signal a transition period for the team as they appear to build on their recent success.
The club expressed gratitude to the city of Karlovy Vary, the Karlovy Vary Region, owners Dušan Šenkypl and Daniel Tobolka, club partners, and fans for their support throughout the season. The official statement emphasized that fans were “our strength – at home and away, in decent and tough moments” during the campaign.
As the team moves forward, the focus will shift to preparing for the upcoming season with a recent coaching staff and potentially revised roster composition. The bronze medal achievement serves as a foundation for future growth, with the club aiming to maintain competitiveness in the Czech Extraliga.
The departures approach at a time when the club is too mourning the loss of former youth player Ondřej Příplata, who passed away at the age of 19 in April 2026. Příplata, a former captain of the club’s youth team, had progressed through the youth system and had been involved with the junior B-team in Sokolov, while also working as a referee.
Looking ahead, HC Energie Karlovy Vary will begin preparations for the 2026/2027 season, with fans eagerly awaiting announcements regarding the new coaching staff and player signings. The club’s recent success has generated optimism for the future, despite the immediate changes to the coaching and playing roster.
For continued updates on HC Energie Karlovy Vary’s preparations for the upcoming season, fans are encouraged to follow the club’s official channels for the latest news on roster moves and team developments.
