Czechia’s Olympic hockey hopes took a hit on Saturday morning with the news that center Pavel Zacha has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The Boston Bruins forward, who’s been a key piece in the NHL this season, won’t suit up in Beijing. Stepping into his spot on the Czech roster is Filip Chlapik - a name familiar to fans of both Czech hockey and the Ottawa Senators.
Let’s start with the impact of losing Zacha. This isn’t just a depth piece falling out of the lineup - this is a top-six center with NHL pedigree and, more importantly, established chemistry with Czechia’s top offensive threat, David Pastrnak.
That Bruins connection was expected to anchor the team’s top line and power play, giving the Czechs a dynamic one-two punch down the middle and on the wing. Zacha’s blend of size, skill, and two-way responsibility made him a valuable piece in both the offensive zone and on the backcheck.
Zacha, the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, had been enjoying a strong campaign with Boston before his injury. With 15 goals and 22 assists through 54 games, he’s been a steady contributor as the Bruins push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. His last appearance came on January 29, and while there was hope he might recover in time, the timeline didn’t align with the Olympic schedule.
Enter Filip Chlapik - another 2015 draft product, taken in the second round by Ottawa. While his NHL resume is modest - 11 points in 57 games with the Senators between 2017 and 2021 - Chlapik has reinvented himself back home.
He’s currently the captain of HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga and has been nothing short of consistent over the past few seasons, averaging nearly a point per game. This year, he’s tallied 19 goals and 26 assists in 45 contests, showing off the kind of offensive touch that could help soften the blow of losing Zacha.
Chlapik isn’t a direct replacement in terms of NHL experience or chemistry with Pastrnak, but he brings a different flavor - leadership, familiarity with the European ice, and recent production in a top-tier league. His role will likely be more of a middle-six contributor, but if he can find quick synergy with his linemates, he could be a valuable piece in Czechia’s Olympic run.
Looking ahead, Czechia finds itself in Group A, alongside three distinct challenges: perennial powerhouse Canada, a skilled Swiss squad, and a French team that’s looking to punch above its weight. The group stage schedule is tight and unforgiving:
- Thursday, Feb. 12 - Czechia vs.
Canada, 10:40 AM ET
- **Friday, Feb.
13** - France vs. Czechia, 10:40 AM ET
- Sunday, Feb. 15 - Switzerland vs.
Czechia, 6:10 AM ET
Czechia has a proud Olympic history, highlighted by that unforgettable gold in Nagano back in 1998 and a bronze medal finish in Torino in 2006. The absence of Zacha certainly stings, but this team still has the talent and experience to make a run - especially if Pastrnak plays like the superstar he is and Chlapik can seize the opportunity in front of him.
The road just got a little tougher, but don’t count the Czechs out. This team has grit, depth, and a proud tradition of rising to the moment.