Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a country in Central Europe. Prague is the capital and largest city.

History of hockey in the Czech Republic
The game of ice hockey was first introduced in Prague in 1905 by a Canadian named Ruck Andersson. In 1908, the first hockey clubs were founded in Prague, and the Bohemian Hockey Union was formed. The same year, Bohemia (later known as Czechoslovakia) joined the IIHF (then known as the LIHG) on November 15, 1908. When Bohemia became Czechoslovakia after the First World War, the country's membership was transferred in 1920. The first artificial ice rink was opened in Prague in 1931.

After the country became independent in 1993, Czechoslovakia's IIHF membership was transferred over to the Czech Republic. The Czech Ice Hockey Association is the governing body of ice hockey in the country.

The Czech Extraliga was founded as the country's top league in 1993. VHK Vsetin has won the most league titles, with six. The Czech 1. liga is the second level of hockey in the country, and the Czech 2. liga operates as the third level of Czech hockey. The Czech Regional Championships are the fourth level of hockey, and the District Championships are the fifth level.

The men's national team first participated at the World Championships in 1993. They have won the gold medal six times, in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2010. They won Olympic gold for the first time in 1998 by defeating Russia 1-0 in the gold medal game. They participated in the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004.

The junior national team first participated in the World Junior Championships in 1994. In 1993, Czechoslovakia was dissolved during the tournament, the team remained unified throughout the tournament, but the Czechoslovakian flag and anthem were retired in favor of the IIHF logo. They won the gold at the world juniors in back-to-back years, in 2000 and 2001.

The women's national team made its international debut at the IIHF European Women's Championships in 1993, and at the World Women's Championships in 1999. They have never qualified for the Olympic Games, and have mostly played in Divisions I and II at the World Championships.