Slovakia
|
|
|
Jersey |
Manufacturer: Nike
Material: Swift
Year: 2026
Away (Blue): Erik Černák Size 60
Material: Swift
Year: 2026
Away (Blue): Erik Černák Size 60
|
Jersey History |
Very excited I was able to go to Slovakia as they released these jerseys. Definitely the best looking jerseys during the 2026 Olympics! Slovakia joined the IIHF on February 2, 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia. Maybe a little controversy around this split, as Czechia was able to keep the history of the Czechoslovakian national team, while Slovakia had to start fresh. Apparently most of the team and organization was run from the Czech side so that played a big role. Slovakia is currently ranked #9 for men's in the world, #16 for women's in the world, and reside in the top division for men's IIHF tournaments and Division I Group A for women's IIHF tournaments. The 2026 Winter Olympics would be held in Milan, Italy. Slovakia would have a solid tournament and would finish 4th after to losing to Finland in the bronze medal game. Slovakia would finish with a record of 3-0-0-3 (W-OTW-OTL-L). The USA would end up winning the tournament with Canada taking silver and Finland taking bronze.
This jersey was game worn during the 2026 Olympics. Being the Olympics, the jersey would be made of Nike's Swift material which was very lightweight, form fitting, and included a tie down fight strap. The Nike swoosh logo would be sewn in the top right chest and the Milano Cortina Olympic patch would be sewn on the back bottom hem. The tagging includes the Nike Authentic tag which includes a numbered size and "Made in Canada" which is heat pressed on the inside neck. Since this was acquired through the NHL, a sticker of authenticity is also included on the tag.
The main crest would be the Štátny znak Slovenska (the coat of arms of Slovakia) which is sewn on. The numbers are single layered twill heat pressed onto the jersey and the name is heat pressed onto the nameplate which is sewn to the jersey. The "A" would be sewn on the top left of the chest. This jersey would be worn specifically in the quarterfinal game against Germany winning 6-2. I have not confirmed if it was worn during other games, but this style would be worn for game against Finland winning 4-1, the USA losing 2-6, and Finland again losing 1-6.
This jersey was game worn during the 2026 Olympics. Being the Olympics, the jersey would be made of Nike's Swift material which was very lightweight, form fitting, and included a tie down fight strap. The Nike swoosh logo would be sewn in the top right chest and the Milano Cortina Olympic patch would be sewn on the back bottom hem. The tagging includes the Nike Authentic tag which includes a numbered size and "Made in Canada" which is heat pressed on the inside neck. Since this was acquired through the NHL, a sticker of authenticity is also included on the tag.
The main crest would be the Štátny znak Slovenska (the coat of arms of Slovakia) which is sewn on. The numbers are single layered twill heat pressed onto the jersey and the name is heat pressed onto the nameplate which is sewn to the jersey. The "A" would be sewn on the top left of the chest. This jersey would be worn specifically in the quarterfinal game against Germany winning 6-2. I have not confirmed if it was worn during other games, but this style would be worn for game against Finland winning 4-1, the USA losing 2-6, and Finland again losing 1-6.
Front Logo
|
Milano Cortina Olympic Patch
|
|
Erik Černák has had a very successful career playing in both the NHL and Slovak professional leagues. Born in Košice, Slovakia, Černák would grow up playing through his hometown team HC Košice where he would have great success winning the Slovak Extraliga (top league in Slovakia) in back to back championships in 2014 and 2015. He would get drafted to the NHL shortly after, going 43rd overall to the Los Angeles Kings. He would actually spend some time in the OHL before getting traded with Peter Budaj and a 2017 second round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Ben Bishop and a 2017 fifth round pick. He would spend some time in the AHL before getting the call up where he would achieve even more success winning back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. This was Černák's first and only Olympics, but he would represent Slovakia at every level. During the tournament, he would play 6 games while scoring 0 goals, 1 assists, collecting 14 PIMs, and finishing -1 overall.
|