The Czech national men’s ice hockey team has finalized its new coaching and management staff for the upcoming two-year period. On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Executive Committee of the Czech Ice Hockey Association officially appointed NHL legend Patrik Eliáš as General Manager and former representative forward Richard Král as an assistant coach.
The new leadership structure is as follows:
| Role | Name |
| General Manager | Patrik Eliáš |
| Head Coach | Zdeněk Moták |
| Assistant Coach | Pavel Gross |
| Assistant Coach | Richard Král |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Jaroslav Kameš |
All members of the staff have signed two-year contracts to lead the national program through the next cycle of international competition.
New new coaching and management staff for Czechia men’s National Team.
A Strong Addition to the Management
Patrik Eliáš, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, brings a wealth of experience to the role of General Manager. Having spent his entire 20-season NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, Eliáš recorded 1,025 points in 1,240 games, making him the second-highest scoring Czech player in NHL history.
“Patrik is a personality recognized not only in our country,” stated Association President Alois Hadamczik. “He has an overview of players in the NHL and, thanks to his work in the Czech Republic in recent years, also of the players here at home. He possesses strong management skills, and I believe he will be an asset to Czech hockey.”
Strengthening the Coaching Staff
Richard Král joins the team as an assistant coach, working alongside head coach Zdeněk Moták and assistant Pavel Gross. Král, a former elite center in the Czech Extraliga, remains one of the most productive players in the league’s history. He has previously held head coaching roles at clubs including Pardubice and Mladá Boleslav.
Hadamczik noted that the selection of Král was specifically driven by the coaching staff: “Richard Král was chosen by coaches Moták and Gross. They clearly described his role on the national team, and on that basis, he was approved by the executive committee.”
The team will also benefit from the continued expertise of Jaroslav Kameš, who will serve as the Goalkeeper Coach, ensuring specialized development for the netminders at the international level.
Looking Forward
The new management and coaching structure represents a significant step for the national team as it prepares for the next two seasons. With this leadership team in place, the focus now shifts toward building a squad capable of maintaining success on the international stage.
