Farewell to an Era: Reflecting on the Demise of Třinec’s Iconic Hockey Arena
The first of June marked not only International Children’s Day but also a poignant moment for hockey fans in Třinec. It was the day to bid adieu to the venerable Werk Arena, the original home of HC Oceláři Třinec, as it prepared to meet its fate: demolition.
Photo: hcocelari.cz
Built in 1967, the arena on Lesní Street holds a special place in the hearts of Třinec fans. It was where the Oceláři, or “Steelmen,” celebrated their ascent to the Czech hockey elite in the 1990s. Most notably, it witnessed the team’s first-ever championship victory in 2011, when they triumphed over their rivals, Vítkovice, 4-1 in the final series. The memories of this legendary ice hockey arena will last forever.
A Legacy Etched in Ice and Steel
The arena hosted 19 Extraliga seasons and 555 matches, with the home team scoring 1,955 goals within its confines. The final goal, scored on April 10, 2014, by Martin Růžička, marked the end of an era as the team then moved to the modern Werk Arena.
Even the Czech national team graced the ice, defeating Slovakia 2-0 in 1998, adding another chapter to its rich history.
Did you know? The arena also served as a training ground for the youth teams for years.
A Fond Farewell and a Glimpse of the Future
Approximately two thousand fans gathered to say goodbye to the arena. A commemorative march, beginning near the new Werk Arena, saw nearly four hundred fans participating. This was a chance for many fans to honor the home of their favorite team.
Photo: hcocelari.cz
The farewell celebration, held near the legendary “Hokejka” restaurant, featured a rich program. This included a long autograph session with hockey legends, who reminisced about the unforgettable atmosphere of the Třinec arena.
Memories Shared: A Deep Dive into Hockey History
Jozef Lucák recounted the historic moment when he became the first Třinec goalie to achieve an Extraliga shutout on Lesní ice. “I remember it well. It was against Kometa Brno, and my clean sheet marked the first-ever televised game from Třinec,” he shared, according to hcocelari.cz.
Martin Vojtek recalled the unique experience of receiving a standing ovation after the first period of a game against Litvínov. “It was in a match where I set the then-record for consecutive shutout minutes. The record fell in the first period, and the packed stands started applauding. I enjoyed it with them,” he said with a smile.
Erik Hrňa shared stories of the jubilant championship celebrations, Jozef Daňo spoke about bringing his son Marek to practices, and Rostislav Martynek moved the audience with a short documentary taking fans back inside the stadium. Jiří Polanský, Martin Adamský, and Erik Hrňa also shared their experiences.
A Legacy Auction: Preserving the Past
Beyond the memories, fans had the chance to acquire hockey memorabilia. Old seats from the stadium, along with jerseys and other artifacts, were put up for auction. The auction at www.sportovniaukce.cz, which closed on June 8, offered fans a tangible piece of hockey history.
Foto: hcocelari.cz
The arena’s demolition marks the end of an era, but its legacy of unforgettable hockey moments will live on in the hearts of the fans.
