On Wednesday, January 17, in Slovakia the news was spread about nomination of hockey-players for the Winter Olympics 2018 that will be held in Korean Pyeongchang. The general managers of the Slovak representation, Miroslav Šatan and the head coach Craig Ramsey selected 25 players. Among them we have also two forwards from HC Košice - Ladislav Nagy and Marek Hovorka!

Ladislav NAGY

The captain of Košice hockey-players will wear a representative jersey of Winter Olympics for the first time. He was really close to the Olympics in 2016, however due to troubles with his knee he was then replaced in the final nomination by the current captain of Banská Bystrica Tomáš Surový.

The native from Šaca already represented Slovakia in junior categories. His first big success in the jersey with double-cross on the chest came during the World Championship of players up to 20 years in 1999, which was held in Canadian Winnipeg. The Slovaks surprised the entire hockey public and from this event they brought bronze medals after victory over Sweden 5:4. Ladislav Nagy played in all matches (6) and shot 4 goals and passed for additional 3. It was enough to become the best hitman and at the same time the most productive player of Slovakia in this tournament.

His performance among the seniors was noticed by the coach Ján Filc a few years later. He included our current captain to his first World Championship in 2002 that was held in Sweden. Laco scored just once there and added three assistances, but at the end of the tournament he was enjoying the title of the world champions! One year later he participated in the World Championship in Finland, where the representation selection was led by František Hossa. The Slovaks were successful again and won bronze medals in this championship. In this tournament Ladislav Nagy's balance in 9 matches was 4 goals and 4 assistances.

In 2004 he played only at the overseas World Cup, where our team was not very successful. Then there was a longer break for our captain as far as representation. After this break he was called to represent in 2009 by the re-elected representation coach Ján Filc. Laco also played at domestic World Championship in 2011, where along with Miroslav Šatan they collected identical number of Canadian points (3+2) and belonged to the leaders of our representation.

In 2014 he traveled to the World Championship in Minsk, Belorussia. There he belonged with 4 accurate hits along with Tomáš Tatar and Michael Miklík among the best hitmen of Slovakia.

In the beginning of the 2017/2018 season he received invitation from the new Canadian coach Craig Ramesy. The Košice forward then had to skip the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge tournament in Hammar, Norway due to injury. Bud that did not discourage the 66-year old Canadian coach and he nominated the captain of the Steelers for the final nomination for the Winter Olympics 2018.

Ladislav Nagy has been playing in the metropolis of the Eastern Slovakia since the last season, when he decided to return after a long career abroad. He signed a contract with the Steelers for two years. In the last season the 38-year old forward belonged to the most important individuals of the Slovak Tipsport League. In 50 matches of the basic part he collected 61 points for 29 goals and 32 assistances, in play-off he played additional 2 matches but scored just once.

In this season Ladislav Nagy has an average of one point per match. In current 29 matches he scored 17 times and added also 12 assistances.

Participant of World Championship U20 (2x) : 1998, 1999 (bronze)
Participant of World Championship (5x) : 2002 (gold), 2003 (bronze), 2009, 2011, 2014
World Cup (1x) : 2004

 

Marek HOVORKA

The native from Ilava does not have such a rich career as Ladislav Nagy. This skilled right-hander wore the representation jersey for the first time in the 2011/2012 season, when Vladimír Vůjtek called him to represent because of his excellent performance in the jersey of Czech Kladno. The reward for him was also the nomination for the World Championship 2012, which was held in Sweden and Finland. The Slovaks played there beyond expectations and got to the finals, where they lost with Russia 2:6. But the silver medals were a big surprise for all hockey fans in Slovakia and probably for other countries as well. However, Marek Hovorka was given the opportunity in four matches only, when he did not contribute to the point statistics. In the next season he was wearing the representation jersey again, but this time he did not achieve the championship. Then there was a longer pause and his performance was noticed only during the last season by the coach Zdeno Cíger. Despite this, he was not nominated to the World Championship in Russia.

Same as Laco Nagy, also Marek introduced himself in representation during this season. They played together in summer preparation matches against the Czech Republic and the in October traveled with the Slovak team to the German Cup. Also for Marek it will be the first performance under the Olympic circles.

The 33-year old forward became a part of Košice team before the beginning of this season. His arrival was announced already in the summer of 2016, but right before the opening of the 2016/2017 season the both parties agreed on termination of cooperation and the silver medalist from the World Championship MS 2012 then went to Žilina. In 53 matches of the basic part his balance was 23 goals and 37 assistances. In play-off he added also 11 starts and 5 goals and 9 assistances. Also in the current season Marek is doing well. In current 36 matches he managed to score 14 times and assisted his co-players 23 times.

Participant of World Championship (1x): 2012 (silver)

Besides our two players also other players from the top Slovak competition will introduce themselves at the Winter Olympics 2018. From the championship Banská Bystrica three forwards - Tomáš Surový, Miloš Bubela, and Patrik Lamper. Dukla Trenčín will be represented by the forward Peter Ölvecký and defenceman Tomáš Starosta. Nitra will send two forwards - Matej Paulovič and Michal Krištof. Liptovský Mikuláš fighting for the play-off, will have to manage without their young star Matúš Sukeľ, for whom it will be the first big representative event.

We keep our fingers crossed for our boys, Slovakia go, go, go!