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The 2016/2017 season was remarkable for more than UK Praha’s fourth championship triumph. It was also the year in which several players began to establish themselves as prominent figures who would later represent the EUHL beyond the league’s borders.
The greatest attention was drawn by Adam Haščič, a forward for Gladiators Trenčín. His statistics ranked among the most impressive individual performances in the league’s history at that time.
Adam Haščič: 27 Points in 15 Games
Haščič played 15 regular-season games, recording 15 goals and 12 assists. With a total of 27 points, he became the EUHL’s leading scorer.
His 15 goals also confirmed his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous finishers. However, Haščič was much more than a productive forward. His performances also impressed the EUHL officials, who selected him for the EUHL All-Star Team.
He was also named to the European selection that faced players from the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
EUHL vs. ACHA
One of the season’s most significant events was the game between the EUHL selection and a team representing the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). It marked an important step in the international promotion of European university hockey.
Adam Haščič opened the scoring in the game, providing an excellent showcase of his abilities and confirming his status as one of the most promising young players in the league.
The event also demonstrated that the EUHL had ambitions beyond being a regional competition. The league wanted to give its best players the opportunity to test themselves against university hockey talent from North America.
Vladimír Korytár: A Reliable Presence in Goal
Another outstanding player of the season was Vladimír Korytár, the goaltender of UMB Banská Bystrica. His performances earned him a place on the All-Star Team as the league’s best goaltender and helped UMB advance to the semifinals.
Korytár gradually became one of the symbols of university hockey in Banská Bystrica. In the following years, he also played an important role in UMB’s championship-winning seasons.
EUHL All-Star Team 2016/2017
The six best players of the season were selected for the EUHL All-Star Team:
Goaltender
- Vladimír Korytár – UMB Banská Bystrica
Defencemen
- Karel Herr – UK Praha
- Rostislav Zilcher – Technika Praha
Forwards
- Adam Haščič – Gladiators Trenčín
- Alexander Alimov – Academy 1928 KTH Krynica
- Tomáš Lopáček – UNIPO Warriors Prešov
The line-up was also notable for its geographical diversity. Players from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland were represented in the elite six, confirming the EUHL’s growing status as an international university hockey competition.
UK Praha Claims Its Fourth Title
While new stars were emerging in the individual rankings, UK Praha remained at the top of the team competition.
The Prague-based team captured its fourth championship and set a historic record during the EUHL’s formative years. Winning four titles in the league’s first four seasons represented complete dominance.
UK Praha had established a dynasty that defined the opening era of the European University Hockey League.
Karel Herr: A Defenceman for the Champions
Defenceman Karel Herr was also an important part of UK Praha’s successful era. In the 2016/2017 season, he was once again recognised as one of the EUHL’s best defencemen and earned a place on the All-Star Team.
His selection among the league’s top six players showed that Prague’s success was not based solely on its offensive strength. The championship team possessed quality in every area – from goaltending and defence to attack.
Prešov Joins the University Hockey Community
UNIPO Warriors Prešov was a new name in the competition. The University of Prešov had spent several years preparing to enter the EUHL before finally joining the league in the 2016/2017 season.
According to the official archives, the Warriors spent approximately four years preparing for their debut in the European league. Remarkably, one of their players earned a place on the All-Star Team in the club’s inaugural season.
That player was forward Tomáš Lopáček, whose recognition was a very positive sign for the newly established university hockey project.
The Polish Presence Grows Stronger
The 2016/2017 season also brought stronger links with Polish university hockey. Forward Alexander Alimov of Academy 1928 KTH Krynica was selected as one of the season’s best players.
The EUHL was gradually expanding both its team base and its pool of players, evolving beyond its original Czech-Slovak framework.
Moscow Games 2016
Another highlight was UK Praha’s participation in the Moscow Games 2016. As the EUHL champion, the team was given the opportunity to compete at an international university sports festival held in September 2016 at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex in Moscow.
The event provided the university team with valuable international experience. UK Praha was therefore able to represent its championship status beyond the EUHL itself.
A Season That Brought Two Generations Together
The 2016/2017 season was also notable from a generational perspective. On one side stood the experienced UK Praha, with four championship titles and several established players. On the other was an emerging generation represented by Adam Haščič, Tomáš Lopáček, Alexander Alimov and other young talents.
This combination of experience and emerging talent was one of the reasons why the EUHL possessed such strong sporting and international potential during this period.
Haščič and Hučko: A Symbolic Passing of the Torch
The 2016/2017 season can also be viewed as a symbolic passing of the torch between two of the league’s leading individual stars.
Petr Hučko was one of the most prominent players during the EUHL’s early years. In the 2016/2017 season, Adam Haščič moved into the spotlight and became the league’s leading scorer with 27 points in 15 games.
His record of 15 goals and 12 assists proved that the EUHL was capable of developing and showcasing outstanding offensive talent.
The 2016/2017 Season at a Glance
Champion: UK Praha
Fourth Consecutive Title: UK Praha
Leading Scorer: Adam Haščič
Adam Haščič: 15 games, 15 goals, 12 assists, 27 points
Best Goaltender: Vladimír Korytár
Best Defencemen: Karel Herr and Rostislav Zilcher
Best Forwards: Adam Haščič, Alexander Alimov and Tomáš Lopáček
EUHL vs. ACHA: Adam Haščič opened the scoring for the EUHL selection
🇷🇺 Moscow Games 2016: UK Praha represented the EUHL in Moscow
New Team: UNIPO Warriors Prešov
Four Titles – and Then Everything Changed
The 2016/2017 season brought one of the most remarkable eras in the league’s history to a close.
UK Praha won four championship titles in the first four EUHL seasons.
It was no longer a coincidence. It was a dynasty.
Every period of sporting dominance must eventually come to an end. The following season would bring one of the most significant changes in the history of the EUHL.
