Host Czechia has released a list of 26 names on its preliminary World Championship roster, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. The list includes eight NHLers, including all three goaltenders. The newest addition to the team is Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kämpf, who only became available on Saturday night.
“David Kämpf should join the team on Thursday,” GM Petr Nedvěd said according to hokej.cz. “I contacted him right after the game, around 2:30 this morning, although I know it’s difficult to call a player like that after losing the seventh game. Of course, he has some bumps and bruises, but otherwise, he is fit and should come. Now we're just waiting for the green light from Toronto.”
Goaltenders (3): Lukáš Dostál (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Petr Mrázek (Chicago Blackhawks, NHL), Karel Vejmelka (Arizona Coyotes, NHL).
Defensemen (8): Michal Kempný (HC Sparta Praha), Radko Gudas (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Jan Rutta (San Jose Sharks, NHL), Tomáš Kundrátek (HC Oceláři Třinec), Libor Hájek (HC Dynamo Pardubice), Jan Ščotka (HC Kometa Brno), Jakub Krejčík (HC Sparta Praha), David Špaček (Iowa Wild, AHL)
Forwards (15): Ondřej Beránek (HC Energie Karlovy Vary), Radan Lenc (HV71, SWE), Matěj Stránský (HC Davos, SUI), Michal Kovařčík (Mikkelin Jukurit, FIN), David Kämpf (Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Roman Červenka (SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, SUI), David Tomášek (Färjestad BK, SWE), Jakub Flek (HC Kometa Brno), Jáchym Kondelík (Banes Motor České Budějovice), Ondřej Kaše (HC VERVA Litvínov), Dominik Kubalík (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Ondřej Palát, (New Jersey Devils, NHL), Lukáš Sedlák (HC Dynamo Pardubice), Daniel Voženílek (HC Oceláři Třinec), Pavel Kousal (HC Sparta Praha).
Other than eight NHLers, the list includes 12 players from the Czech Extraliga, two each from the Swedish Hockey League and Swiss National League, and one each from the Finnish Liiga and the AHL.
The list does not include Jakub Vrána, who was attempting to make the team and recorded a goal and an assist in four pre-tournament exhibition games. NHLers Tomáš Nosek and Radim Zohorna were also cut from the team.
The list also does not include 20-year-old defenseman David Jiřiček, whose NHL team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, missed the playoffs. However, he’s currently active in the AHL playoffs with the Cleveland Monsters.
“I had a call with (Columbus President and GM John) Davidson, but right now they don’t want to let us have David. We have to wait and if they are eliminated, there will be a chance for his arrival,” said Nedvěd, who also mentioned the possibility of adding other Czechs who are currently in the Stanley Cup playoffs should they be eliminated in the second round.
In all probability, the captain of the team will be 38-year-old center Roman Červenka, who has fulfilled that role for the past few years. Červenka is the active leader in career World Championship assists (42) and points (66). He is second in goals (24) and games played (87) behind only Switzerland’s Andres Ambühl, who is also playing this year.