Vladimir Ruzicka is the new coach of Czech Republic, Vladimír Vůjtek remains on Slovakia bench

Rumours were confimed, Vladimir Ruzicka is the new coach of Czech Republic, after the resignation of Alois Hadamczik. "At 99.99 percent, we agreed. Now we will discuss specific matters about the contract." - said Federation President Tomáš Král -  "Should be tightened formality to prepare the contract. Signing of the contract should be confirmed within days" . Ruzicka, 50, is currently working as headcoach of Slavia Praha, where he finished his player career and coached since 2000. He already coached national team in two periods, from 2002 to 2005 and from 2008 to 2010, winning World Championship twice, in 2005 and 2010. Ruzicka will finish the season on Slavia Praha bench, then join the national team. The contract is until 2015, when Czech Republic will play World Championship at home. "My opinion is that the current team is now old. I like young boys, I believe that if given the chance, they can enforce. I wish we went through drastic modifications of roster" said Tomáš Král. Although not confirmed, Ondřej Weismann and Jaroslav Špaček should be the assitant coaches.

Vladimír Vůjtek will remain coach of Slovakia national team. After poor results in Sochi, Vujtek, along with team general manager Otto Sykora, submitted their resignation at Executive Committee of the Slovak Ice Hockey, but the Board has rejected. "The Executive Committee did not accept Vladimir Vůjtka and Otto Sykora resignation and both will continue their work until the end of World Championship 2014" said President of Slovak Ice Hockey Federation Igor Nemecek. 

Previously 10 NHL players - Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, Michal Handzus, Andrej Sekera, Thomas Kopecky, Peter Budaj, Jaroslav Halak, Andrej Meszaros, Tomas Tatar and Marian Gaborik - wrote a letter to Federation in which support the work of Vladimir Vůjtek and the entire executive team.

"I am not of those who are fleeing from battle. I wanted to respect the contract. Circumstances forced ​​me to submit resignation. The support of  the Executive Committee was important, as well as that of players from the NHL. Shows that we have a good relationship. I do not know how the situation will develop further. I'm afraid that negative articles on media will trouble the players in preparation and will be to the detriment Slovak hockey, said Vujtek

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