Slovak national ice hockey team members gathered for a multi-day team-building retreat in the High Tatras, convening in Stará Lesná with approximately 25 players alongside general manager Miroslav Šatan and head coach Vladimír Országh, according to official communications from the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation (SZĽH). The off-ice gathering aimed to strengthen team cohesion ahead of the upcoming season and the upcoming World Championships in Germany, bringing together a young core alongside select NHL veterans while managing notable absences.
Building Team Chemistry in the High Tatras
The roster in Stará Lesná featured a heavy representation of young talent, including Dalibor Dvorský, Jozef Viliam Kmec, Adam Sýkora, Filip Mešár, Juraj Pekarčík, Jakub Demek, and Adam Gajan. Photographic evidence from the federation confirmed that Dvorský, Martin Regenda, and Sýkora were the sole NHL players present at the resort. High-profile NHL names such as Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec did not attend the retreat.
Players and staff participated in a series of recreational activities designed to foster team bonding away from the rink. According to the SZĽH, the group played golf and footgolf, competed in laser tag, raced go-karts, and concluded with a team barbecue. Head coach Vladimír Országh noted that the retreat served a dual purpose of organizational planning and social reconnection after a long summer apart.
“Chceli sme, aby z toho bola tradícia. Nezišli sme sa v úplne plnom počte, niektorí chalani sú už v kluboch, hlavne tí z európskych, niektorí majú povinnosti, ale splnilo to účel,” stated Országh in comments published by the SZĽH. He added that the coaching staff used the time to outline expectations for the upcoming campaign and the significant stakes tied to international play.
Preparing for World Championships and Olympic Qualification Stakes
A central focus of the High Tatras meetings involved preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Germany. Coach Országh emphasized to the players that the tournament carries major implications for future Olympic qualification, noting that the battle for direct entry largely sits between Slovakia and host nation Germany.
“Bavili sme sa aj o tom, aké dôležité budú nadchádzajúce majstrovstvá sveta. Predsa len, budeme hrať aj o to, či budeme musieť na ďalšiu olympiádu prejsť cez kvalifikáciu,” explained Országh via the SZĽH. He also addressed past roster absences, pointing out that while roughly 90 percent of previous player pullouts from World Championship squads were legitimate, building a consistent, committed roster remains a priority.
Forward Dalibor Dvorský praised the initiative, telling federation channels that the retreat provided a welcome environment to connect with teammates outside of competitive pressure. “Je to super akcia, že sa stretneme s chalanmi, pobavíme sa, zahráme si všelijaké aktivity, takže som si to veľmi užil,” said Dvorský.
Did You Know?
Adam Ružička was also in attendance at the Stará Lesná retreat. The forward’s appearance in the High Tatras followed a recent legal and financial development confirming that he owes Russian club Spartak Moscow €335,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who attended the Slovak national team team-building retreat?
Approximately 25 players gathered in Stará Lesná, including young prospects Dalibor Dvorský, Jozef Viliam Kmec, Adam Sýkora, Filip Mešár, Juraj Pekarčík, Jakub Demek, and Adam Gajan, alongside NHL players Dalibor Dvorský, Martin Regenda, and Adam Sýkora, plus Adam Ružička. General manager Miroslav Šatan and head coach Vladimír Országh also attended.
Why did the coaching staff organize the High Tatras event?
According to coach Vladimír Országh, the retreat was designed to establish a team-building tradition, review organizational goals for the season, and build chemistry ahead of the World Championships in Germany.
Which prominent Slovak players missed the gathering?
NHL players such as Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec were absent from the High Tatras retreat, while some European-based players had already reported to their club teams.
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