In recent years, the Czech U18 national team has performed very well in international competition. In 2013, they won the bronze medal on home ice, before winning the silver medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland the following April. In August 2014, they proved that was no fluke by winning silver again at last year´s Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

The Czechs had a strong tournament last year, starting off with a 4–2 victory over the United States, which was followed up by a 4–3 triumph over Finland. The last game of the group stage was memorable to Czech fans, as they watched their team dismantle the Russians by a score of 11–2 to finish first place with nine points.

In the semi-finals, the Czechs clashed with Sweden, and once again scored four times to eek out a 4–3 victory and earn their place in the final, which took place on the 10-year anniversary of the death of the tournament´s namesake – Ivan Hlinka. In the final, the Canadians took advantage of a strong first period to take a 4–0 lead, and eventually cruised to a 6–2 win to take their seventh consecutive Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup title. This time, the Czechs hope to finally unseat the Canadians as gold medalists, and they hope to do it with help from their fans.

Video streams, souvenirs and other news

For those unable to attend games live at the arenas, all games from Breclav will be available online at hokej.cz and at the official website of the tournament hlinkamemorial.cz. And as has been the case the past few years, live text commentary will again be available at eurolivescores.com. The Czech Republic´s group-stage games against Canada and Sweden will be televised domestically on ČT Sport, with negotiations ongoing to televise medal-round games as well.

For those fans who do come to the arena in Břeclav, various merchandise will be on sale. These souvenirs will come adorned with the new logo of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.