University of Connecticut Athletics
Frosh Jáchym Kondelík Headed to IIHF World Juniors with Team Czech Republic
12/24/2018 10:38:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Contributed by Alyssa Cantisani
STORRS, Conn. – UConn freshman Jáchym Kondelík (Budejovice, Czech Republic) has earned a spot on the final roster for Team Czech Republic and will skate at the upcoming 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.
Kondelík has had a phenomenal start to his collegiate career tallying 14 points on 13 assists and one goal. His 13 assists on the season has him tied for first place among all Hockey East point scorers.
The 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship is taking place in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia from December 26 through January 5. This is the 43rd IIFH World Junior Championship tournament and the 13th time it will be hosted in Canada.
The Czech Republic will open the tournament facing Switzerland on Wednesday, December 26 in a Group A match-up. The Czechs take on Russia on Friday, December 28, Canada on Saturday, December 29 and Denmark on Monday, December 31 in the preliminary rounds. All Group A games are being held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The New Year begins the relegation and quarterfinal match ups followed up by the bronze and gold medal games on January 5.
Kondelík will be skating alongside the AHL's Martin Kaut (Colorado), Filip Zadina (Grand Rapids) and Martin Necas (Charlotte).
"I think it's going to be great," commented UConn's head coach Mike Cavanaugh. "He's going to be playing with and against the best players in the world at his age and I think that's only going to make him a better player when he comes back. I thought it made Tage (Thompson) and Adam Huska both better players and I thought it was an excellent experience. We're hoping that he learns from that experience and grows to be an even better player for us."
The Nashville Predators prospect was left out of last year's World Junior Championship but was able to find a spot on this year's roster giving him a chance to play internationally for his home country in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
"It's always an honor to represent your country," said Kondelík, "And I hope that I will be able to help the team succeed but I also hope that it will give me an advantage to play better here at UConn and that I'll be able to help our team find success as well."
Kondelík is the third Husky under Head Coach Mike Cavanaugh to compete at the prestigious tournament. Junior teammate Adam Huska (Zvolen, Slovakia) played for Team Slovakia at the 2016 and 2017 tournaments while former Husky and current member of the Buffalo Sabres Tage Thompson (Phoenix, Ariz.) won the gold medal with Team USA at the 2017 event.
