The last several seasons have been a dream for Czech club Oceláři Trinec. In the last six seasons, the Czech-Silesian-based team has won five Extraliga titles. The year they didn’t – 2019-20 – nobody did.
However, this season has been a bit of a nightmare. The team that has become accustomed to winning has done so in only six of its first 20 games and finds itself tied for last in the league with 20 points.
During the most recent game, a 4-1 loss to Jágrless Rytiří Kladno on Sunday, fans could be heard chanting, “Malík ven!” (Malík out!).
On Monday, Marek Malík the 49-year-old former NHL defenseman, announced his resignation from the team’s coaching staff.
“In my playing career, I have faced many difficult periods – team and personal,” Malík’s statement began. “Unlike the coaching position, however, I was able to influence these periods myself with my play on the ice. I never ran away from the fight, especially in difficult moments. I’m the same way even as a coach.”
The curious thing about this spectacle is that Malík is, in fact, an assistant coach on the team. The head coach is Zdeněk Moták, who will continue … for now, at least. Guiding the team to its two most recent titles and being nominated for European Coach of the Year has maybe bought Moták some time, but how much remains to be seen. The team has made a habit the last couple of seasons of getting hot in the playoffs after mediocre regular seasons. If they don’t start to turn things around soon, though, there might not be any playoffs.
“First of all, we thank Marek for the work he did for the team,” said Třinec sports director Jan Peterek. “He is a professional who did everything one hundred percent. However, things don’t always work out the way you want them to – in life, in relationships or in sports. After Sunday’s game, Marek evaluated himself that it would be better if he left the team. We respect his decision.”
Malík played professional hockey for 21 seasons – 13 in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning – and was known as “Lurch” for his resemblance to the Addams Family character. A defensive defenseman, he is nonetheless most remembered for a shootout goal he scored with the Rangers in 2005.
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Malík retired as a player in 2014 and has worked in the Třinec organization ever since as a coach of various youth and junior teams. He was also briefly an assistant coach of the Extraliga team in the 2015-16 season and worked behind the bench of HC Frýdek-Mistek, a second-tier pro team that is affiliated with Třinec.
Peterek said that he would like for Malík to remain in the organization, but that the choice is up to Malík.
Třinec's first game without Malík behind the bench will be Wednesday’s return leg of the Champions Hockey League round of 16, beginning with a three-goal aggregate deficit to Sparta Prague.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but I wish the players and coaches all the best,” said Malík. “Thank you for the opportunity. It was an honor to be part of a great team.”