It's official: Pastrňák & Zacha will both join Czechia

It was heavily anticipated but now it’s official – David Pastrňák and Pavel Zacha will join the Czech national team for the remainder of the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Prague.

“David Pastrňák and Pavel Zacha showed great interest in coming to the World Championship after Boston was eliminated from the playoffs. The medical examinations went without complications and the club has therefore allowed both players to play at this year's World Championship,” said Czech national team GM Petr Nedvěd.

The pair will apparently depart from Boston some time Sunday evening and arrive at Prague’s Václav Havel International Airport on Monday morning.

“David and Pavel most likely won’t make it to Monday’s practise. They should appear on the ice for the first time on Tuesday during the morning skate before the game against Canada. Their eventual inclusion in the game roster will be at the discretion of the coaches,” Nedvěd added.

This will be the fifth World Championship for Pastrňák and the first for Zacha. They will be the second and third players added to the Czech roster who were eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Martin Nečas of the Carolina Hurricanes made his debut on Saturday night against Great Britain, wearing number 98 instead of his usual 88. When asked about the number, Nečas said, “Of course, Pasta has priority in number, he is our best Czech player. I don’t know all the details, but if they make it here, it will definitely be a boost.”