Slovenian national ice hockey team
Encyclopedia
The Slovenia
n men's national ice hockey team, also known as the Lynx , is currently ranked 18th in the world by IIHF as of the 2011 IIHF World Ranking
. The team is controlled by the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia
. Slovenia has only 943 players (the second lowest after Lithuania in the top 25 world rankings). Their best ever record is 13th place and highest ranking is 15th. Their current coach is Matjaž Kopitar
, father of NHL player Anže Kopitar
.
Besides the Lithuanian and Denmark men's teams, Slovenia is the only country in the top 25 World Rankings to have never played in the Winter Olympics. As well the national junior team has never played in the Championship division, the only country in the top 22 of world rankings.
A total of 5 players from Slovenia have been drafted into the NHL since 1980, with only Anze Kopitar
and Jan Mursak
actually playing in the league.
(2011-) John Harrington (2009–2010) Mats Waltin
(2008) Ted Sator
(2007) František Výborný (2006) Kari Savolainen (2004–2005) Matjaž Sekelj
- (2001–2003) Rudi Hiti
- (2000) Pavle Kavčič - (1997–1999) Vladimir Krikunov
- (1995–1996) Rudi Hiti
- (1992–1994)
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
n men's national ice hockey team, also known as the Lynx , is currently ranked 18th in the world by IIHF as of the 2011 IIHF World Ranking
IIHF World Ranking
The IIHF World Ranking is a ranking of the national teams of member countries of the International Ice Hockey Federation.The system was approved by the IIHF congress in September 2003...
. The team is controlled by the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia
Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia
The Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia is the governing body of ice hockey in Slovenia. Slovenia was one of ten nations to join the International Ice Hockey Federation on May 6, 1992, the largest number of nations to join in one day in the history of the organization.-External links:* at IIHF.com...
. Slovenia has only 943 players (the second lowest after Lithuania in the top 25 world rankings). Their best ever record is 13th place and highest ranking is 15th. Their current coach is Matjaž Kopitar
Matjaž Kopitar
Matjaz Kopitar is a retired Slovenian professional ice hockey player. He is the father of the ice hockey players, Gasper, and Anze Kopitar.-Career:...
, father of NHL player Anže Kopitar
Anže Kopitar
Anže Kopitar is a Slovene professional ice hockey player and alternate captain of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . The first Slovenian to play in the NHL, Kopitar played junior hockey for his hometown team HK Acroni Jesenice and led his native country before he moved to Sweden...
.
Besides the Lithuanian and Denmark men's teams, Slovenia is the only country in the top 25 World Rankings to have never played in the Winter Olympics. As well the national junior team has never played in the Championship division, the only country in the top 22 of world rankings.
A total of 5 players from Slovenia have been drafted into the NHL since 1980, with only Anze Kopitar
Anže Kopitar
Anže Kopitar is a Slovene professional ice hockey player and alternate captain of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . The first Slovenian to play in the NHL, Kopitar played junior hockey for his hometown team HK Acroni Jesenice and led his native country before he moved to Sweden...
and Jan Mursak
Jan Mursak
Jan Muršak is a professional Slovenian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . Muršak first played hockey in Slovenia as a member of HDK Maribor before he left to spend one season in the Czech junior league...
actually playing in the league.
2011 World Championship team
| Pos. | No. | Player | DoB (Age) | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Andrej Hočevar Andrej Hocevar Andrej Hočevar is a Slovenian ice hockey goaltender. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
November 21, 1984 (age 27) |  SG PontebbaSG Pontebba Sport Ghiaccio Pontebba is represented by Aquile Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Pontebba region's flagship ice hockey team, plays its home games at the PalaVuerich arena in Pontebba, Italy and is affiliated with the local ice sports society Sport Ghiaccio Pontebba. The team is a member of the Serie A... |
| GK | 33 | Robert Kristan Robert Kristan Robert Kristan is a Slovenian professional goaltender who currently plays in Austrian Hockey League for KHL Medveščak Zagreb.-Playing career:... |
November 21, 1984 (age 27) |  KHL Medveščak |
| GK | 69 | Matija Pintarič Matija Pintarič Matija Pintarič is a Slovenian ice hockey goaltender. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
August 11, 1989 (age 22) |  HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| D | 4 | Andrej Tavželj Andrej Tavzelj Andrej Tavželj is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
March 14, 1984 (age 27) | SG Pontebba SG Pontebba Sport Ghiaccio Pontebba is represented by Aquile Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Pontebba region's flagship ice hockey team, plays its home games at the PalaVuerich arena in Pontebba, Italy and is affiliated with the local ice sports society Sport Ghiaccio Pontebba. The team is a member of the Serie A... |
| D | 15 | Blaž Gregorc Blaž Gregorc Blaž Gregorc is a Slovenian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Södertälje SK of the Elitserien.He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:... |
January 18, 1990 (age 22) |  Södertälje SKSödertälje SK Södertälje Sportklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club playing in HockeyAllsvenskan. Södertälje were charter members of Elitserien when the league was founded in 1975 and have since played 24 seasons in the league... |
| D | 17 | Žiga Pavlin Žiga Pavlin Žiga Pavlin is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team. Currently he is a member of Swedish ice hockey team, Troja/Ljungby.... |
April 30, 1985 (age 26) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| D | 18 | Greg Kuznik Greg Kuznik Gregory Kuznik is a Canadian-Slovenian ice hockey player of Slovene descent.He was drafted 171st by the Hartford Whalers in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2000–01 NHL season, he played one game for the Carolina Hurricanes... |
June 12, 1978 (age 33) |  EC VSV |
| D | 21 | Klemen Pretnar Klemen Pretnar Klemen Pretnar is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:... |
June 30, 1986 (age 25) | HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice is a Slovenian ice hockey team that currently plays in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games at Dvorana Podmežakla in Jesenice.- Before World War 2 :... |
| D | 23 | Damjan Dervarič Damjan Dervaric Damjan Dervarič is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.Dervarič previously played for Acroni Jesenice and Havířov Panthers.... |
February 06, 1982 (age 29) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| D | 28 | Aleš Kranjc Ales Kranjc Aleš Kranjc is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
November 21, 1984 (age 27) |  Alba Volán SzékesfehérvárAlba Volán Székesfehérvár SAPA AV19 Székesfehérvár is a Hungarian ice hockey team that currently plays in OB I bajnokság, in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League and in MOL Liga... |
| D | 51 | Mitja Robar Mitja Robar Mitja Robar is a Slovenian ice hockey player, currently playing with Lukko of the Finnish SM-liiga.Robar has spent the majority of his career in Slovakia, playing for HDK Stavbar Maribor, HK Slavija Ljubljana and HDD Olimpija Ljubljana of the Slovenian Championship league... |
January 04, 1983 (age 29) | HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice is a Slovenian ice hockey team that currently plays in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games at Dvorana Podmežakla in Jesenice.- Before World War 2 :... |
| D | 86 | Sabahudin Kovačevič Sabahudin Kovacevic Sabahudin Kovačevič is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
February 26, 1986 (age 25) | Alleghe Hockey Alleghe Hockey HC Alleghe is a professional ice hockey team in Alleghe, Italy. The team plays in the country's top division, Serie A1. The team was the surprise winners of the 1992-93 Alpine League. The team plays at Stadio Alvise De Toni and are coached by former NHL player Steve McKenna... |
| F | 8 | Žiga Jeglič Žiga Jeglič Žiga Jeglič is a Slovenian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Swedish ice hockey club Södertälje SK in Allsvenskan. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-Regular season and playoffs:-External links:*... |
February 24, 1988 (age 23) | HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice is a Slovenian ice hockey team that currently plays in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games at Dvorana Podmežakla in Jesenice.- Before World War 2 :... |
| F | 9 | Tomaž Razingar | April 25, 1979 (age 32) | EC VSV |
| F | 10 | Mitja Šivic Mitja Sivic Mitja Šivic is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
October 01, 1979 (age 32) |  Grenoble Bruleurs de Loups |
| F | 12 | David Rodman David Rodman David Rodman is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:... |
September 10, 1983 (age 28) | Vienna Capitals Vienna Capitals Vienna Capitals are a member of the Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games in Vienna, Austria, at Albert Schultz Eishalle.-Current roster:-References:... |
| F | 14 | Matej Hočevar Matej Hocevar Matej Hocevar is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
April 30, 1982 (age 29) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| F | 19 | Žiga Pance Ziga Pance Ziga Pance or Žiga Pance is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
January 01, 1989 (age 23) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| F | 22 | Marcel Rodman Marcel Rodman Marcel Rodman is a professional Slovenian ice hockey player currently with Vienna Capitals of the Austrian Hockey League.-Draft:... |
September 25, 1981 (age 30) | Vienna Capitals Vienna Capitals Vienna Capitals are a member of the Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games in Vienna, Austria, at Albert Schultz Eishalle.-Current roster:-References:... |
| F | 24 | Rok Tičar Rok Tičar Rok Tičar is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team. Tičar is the current member of German DEL ice hockey club, Krefeld Pinguine.... |
May 03, 1989 (age 22) | HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice is a Slovenian ice hockey team that currently plays in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games at Dvorana Podmežakla in Jesenice.- Before World War 2 :... |
| F | 26 | Jaka Ankerst Jaka Ankerst Jaka Ankerst is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:... |
March 27, 1989 (age 22) | Diables Rouges de Briançon |
| F | 55 | Robert Sabolič Robert Sabolič Robert Sabolič is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team. He is the current member of Swedish team, Södertälje.-External links:*... |
September 18, 1988 (age 23) | HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice HK Acroni Jesenice is a Slovenian ice hockey team that currently plays in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games at Dvorana Podmežakla in Jesenice.- Before World War 2 :... |
| F | 71 | Boštjan Goličič Bostjan Golicic Boštjan Goličič is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
June 12, 1989 (age 22) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
| F | 76 | Rok Pajič Rok Pajic Rok Pajič is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:*... |
September 26, 1985 (age 26) |  HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi |
| F | 84 | Andrej Hebar Andrej Hebar Andrej Hebar is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:... |
September 07, 1984 (age 27) | HDD Tilia Olimpija |
- Head coach: Matjaž Kopitar
Current top players
- Blaž GregorcBlaž GregorcBlaž Gregorc is a Slovenian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Södertälje SK of the Elitserien.He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:...
- Žiga JegličŽiga JegličŽiga Jeglič is a Slovenian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Swedish ice hockey club Södertälje SK in Allsvenskan. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-Regular season and playoffs:-External links:*...
- Anže KopitarAnže KopitarAnže Kopitar is a Slovene professional ice hockey player and alternate captain of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . The first Slovenian to play in the NHL, Kopitar played junior hockey for his hometown team HK Acroni Jesenice and led his native country before he moved to Sweden...
- Robert KristanRobert KristanRobert Kristan is a Slovenian professional goaltender who currently plays in Austrian Hockey League for KHL Medveščak Zagreb.-Playing career:...
- Jan MuršakJan MursakJan Muršak is a professional Slovenian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . Muršak first played hockey in Slovenia as a member of HDK Maribor before he left to spend one season in the Czech junior league...
- Tomaž Razingar
- David RodmanDavid RodmanDavid Rodman is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.-External links:...
- Marcel RodmanMarcel RodmanMarcel Rodman is a professional Slovenian ice hockey player currently with Vienna Capitals of the Austrian Hockey League.-Draft:...
- Rok TičarRok TičarRok Tičar is a Slovenian ice hockey player. He participated at the 2011 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team. Tičar is the current member of German DEL ice hockey club, Krefeld Pinguine....
Coaching history
Matjaž KopitarMatjaž Kopitar
Matjaz Kopitar is a retired Slovenian professional ice hockey player. He is the father of the ice hockey players, Gasper, and Anze Kopitar.-Career:...
(2011-) John Harrington (2009–2010) Mats Waltin
Mats Waltin
Mats Stefan Waltin is a retired professional ice hockey player and coach. Waltin played for Djurgårdens IF Hockey and Södertälje SK in the Elitserien. He was a member of the Swedish 1976 Canada Cup and 1981 Canada Cup teams. He is the current coach of VIK Västerås HK.-External links:...
(2008) Ted Sator
Ted Sator
Ted Sator is an American professional ice hockey coach.-Playing career:Ted Sator played for parts of two seasons for Bowling Green State University. During the 1971–72 campaign for the NCAA team Sator played 27 games, where he tallied 5 goals and assisted on 6 others...
(2007) František Výborný (2006) Kari Savolainen (2004–2005) Matjaž Sekelj
Matjaž Sekelj
Matjaz Sekelj is a retired Slovenian professional ice hockey player.Sekelj participated with HDD Olimpija Ljubljana in the Yugoslav Ice Hockey League for his entire career. He participated with the Yugoslavia national ice hockey team at the 1984 Winter Olympics. He coached HDD Olimpija Ljubljana...
- (2001–2003) Rudi Hiti
Rudi Hiti
Rudi Hiti is a retired Slovenian ice hockey player and coach. In Slovenia he played for HK Kranjska Gora, HK Acroni Jesenice and HDD Olimpija Ljubljana, winning yugoslav league four times. Later he played in Italy, winning Italian league three times with HC Bolzano, where his #13 jersey was retired...
- (2000) Pavle Kavčič - (1997–1999) Vladimir Krikunov
Vladimir Krikunov
Vladimir Krikunov is retired Russian ice-hockey player and former head coach of team Russia. As a player Krikunov played for Dinamo Riga and PHC Krylya Sovetov of Moscow. During his coaching career he coached HC Dynamo Moscow and team Russia...
- (1995–1996) Rudi Hiti
Rudi Hiti
Rudi Hiti is a retired Slovenian ice hockey player and coach. In Slovenia he played for HK Kranjska Gora, HK Acroni Jesenice and HDD Olimpija Ljubljana, winning yugoslav league four times. Later he played in Italy, winning Italian league three times with HC Bolzano, where his #13 jersey was retired...
- (1992–1994)
World Championship Record
- 1930–1992 – Did not participate (Part of YugoslaviaYugoslavia national ice hockey teamThe Yugoslav national ice hockey team was the national men's ice hockey in the former republic of Yugoslavia. They competed in five Olympic Games competitions. This article discusses the team that represented the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its predecessors, but not the Federal...
) - 1993 – Finished in 20th place (4th in "Pool C")
- 1994 – Finished in 25th place (5th in "Pool C")
- 1995 – Finished in 27th place (7th in "Pool C")
- 1996 – Finished in 23rd place (3rd in "Pool C")
- 1997 – Finished in 22nd place (2nd in "Pool C")
- 1998 – Finished in 18th place (2nd in "Pool B")
- 1999 – Finished in 21st place (5th in "Pool B")
- 2000 – Finished in 23rd place (7th in "Pool B")
- 2001 – Finished in 17th place (Won "Division I, Group B")
- 20022002 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2002 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 26 and May 11, 2002 in Gothenburg, Karlstad and Jönköping, Sweden.It was the 66th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .- Championship :...
– Finished in 13th place - 20032003 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships-Relegation round: avoids relegation by defeating 4-1 in the 2004 IIHF World Championship Far East Qualification game. and are demoted to Division I at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Group A:...
– Finished in 15th place - 20042004 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna...
– Finished in 17th place (Won "Division I, Group B") - 20052005 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico...
– Finished in 13th place - 20062006 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 70th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 45 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2007 competition...
– Finished in 16th place - 20072007 IIHF World Championship Division IThe following teams took part in the Division I tournament, held from April 15, 2007 through April 21, 2007. Group A was played in Qiqihar, China. Group B was played in Ljubljana, Slovenia.- Standings :*France is promoted to Main Championship....
– Finished in 17th place (Won "Division I, Group B") - 20082008 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 72nd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries will participate in four levels of competition. The competition will also serve as qualifications for the 2009 competition...
– Finished in 15th place - 20092009 IIHF World Championship Division IThe 2009 IIHF Division I World Championship was an ice hockey tournament under the authority of the International Ice Hockey Federation. It was contested from April 11–17, 2009. The tournament was played amongst two separate groups. Group A's tournament was held in Vilnius, Lithuania...
– Finished in 19th place (2nd in "Division I, Group A") - 20102010 IIHF World Championship Division IThe 2010 IIHF World Championship Division I was an international Ice Hockey tournament run by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The tournament was contested from April 17–25, 2010. Participants in this tournament were separated into two separate tournament groups. The Group A...
– Finished in 18th place (Won "Division I, Group B") - 20112011 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2011 IIHF World Championship was the 75th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between the 29 April and the 15 May 2011 in Slovakia. The games were played in the Orange Arena in Bratislava, and the Steel Aréna in Košice...
– Finished in 16th place
External links
- Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia
- Slovenia at the IIHFInternational Ice Hockey FederationThe International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
- National Teams of Ice Hockey