History of HC Kometa Brno

HC Kometa Brno is one of the most famous clubs in the Czech ice-hockey history. In the late 1950s and early 1960s there were no competitors in the top league. The club won 11 Czech championships, the last one in 1966.

The club was successful also internationally; in 1966 the club won a trophy for the best team of the continent – then known as European Championship Cup, which the club defended twice in the following seasons. Thanks to those achievements the club is internationally the most successful Czech club. Kometa scored also in many other international tournaments.

After the successful period the club suffered a dramatic breakdown, which ended up by multiple relegations to lower leagues, and at one point the club seemed to be very close to an end. The crisis was successfully diverted and after coming back among the elite teams Kometa is getting ready for the 4th top league season at the moment. The goal is clear but very hard – an attempt to reach the playoff games and after that try to prove what was made last year.

Season 2011/2012

Last season was very successful for the team. HC Kometa Brno reached the playoff finals for the first time after 39 years! During a long playoffs Brno ejected 1^st and 2^nd team of regular round. 3^rd team of regular round HC CSOB Pojistovna Pardubice was beyond Kometa’s powers.

Foto: Ivo Dostal

After many injuries (the most productive player of regular round, the best scorer or penalty shot specialist) players led by coach Zdenek Venera fought bravely. They broke final series from 0:1 to 2:1 and were very close to get the third win in a row, but Kometa lost in penalty shots and series changed to 2:2. Next two games won Pardubice and were crowned as Czech champions. Kometa took silver, had most productive player with the biggest number of assists with a new record in Czech Republic (Tomas Divisek – 20 a.). Kometa had the best goalie of 2011/2012 season (Jiri Trvaj) and best coach of the Elite league (Zdenek Venera).

Fan favourite

After Petr Hubacek joined Finland JYP and Sasu Hovi made comeback to Finland the most favourite player is goaltender Ji?í Trvaj. Experienced 38-year-old player had a great season with individual trophy for the best goalie. He’s very patient, clever and extremely concentrated on the ice. He showed a great performance during playoffs with two shutouts and a 93.10 save percentage.

A very favourite player also by all the fans is forward Radek Dlouhy. Although he was born in Czech capital Prague, which is the rival city for Brno, he’s got a most years in HC Kometa Brno behind. He plays for Kometa since 2007. He will let no game just go.  He always plays very aggressively.

Interesting new signing

After loss of Finland goalkeeper Sasu Hovi, who wants to have a break from ice hockey, Kometa signed goalie Martin Falter from HC Sparta Prague. With Jiri Trvaj, they will be very strong and experienced a pair of goalie. The team joined Brno’s native Jan Hruska, who played in line with famous Zigmund Palffy in Slovakia last year (Skalica). That’s not the star or key players, but. Kometa kept best players from very successful and silver season 2011/2012. New contract have most productive player of playoffs Tomas Divisek, best scorer Tomas Svoboda or productive defenseman Jozef Kovacik, who thanks to fans, has scored the highest number of goals.