Just a day after Rytíři Kladno wrapped up their final home game of the season, the club announced a major move off the ice. Former NHL star and Kladno legend Tomáš Plekanec has been named the new sports director of the Czech Extraliga team. His role will be similar to the director of hockey operations in the NHL, giving him a major say in the team’s hockey future.
A New Chapter Begins for Plekanec
Plekanec retired as a player in November 2023, after a professional career that spanned over two decades. He didn’t step away from the sport, though. Right after retiring, he took on a role as an assistant coach for the Czech national team, a position he’ll continue alongside his new job at Kladno.
Sharing his excitement about the new role, Plekanec said:
“After ending my playing career, I continued to follow the Knights and always supported them. I want to help Kladno achieve success again.”
A Club With a Rich, Yet Struggling, History
Kladno finished 13th out of 14 teams in the Czech Extraliga this season. While that might sound disappointing, it’s actually their best finish since the 2012–13 season, when they came in seventh. Over the past decade, the team has either battled to avoid relegation or played in the second-tier league.
Despite having a rich tradition in Czech hockey, Kladno has never won a national championship. However, the club remained part of the top league from 1955 until 2014, showcasing a long-standing legacy in the sport.
A New Vision Under New Ownership
In January 2024, Tomáš Drastil became the majority owner of the team, reducing hockey legend Jaromír Jágr’s ownership stake to 20%. However, Jágr remains actively involved with the club, serving as general manager — and possibly still a player.
Drastil is bringing fresh ideas and long-term plans for Kladno’s future. He explained:
“The goal is to get Kladno hockey back where it belongs. We had many talks with Tomáš Plekanec and shared our views. I’m very happy he accepted our offer.”
Plekanec Teams Up With Jágr and Berger
In his new role, Plekanec will work closely with GM Jaromír Jágr and sports manager Jiří Berger. This trio will focus on both building a stronger team for the next season and developing a long-term plan to bring Kladno back to the top level of Czech hockey.
Plekanec added:
“When I saw the passion and heard Drastil’s vision, I knew it could be achieved. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to come back to the club.”
Born in Kladno, Now Helping It Rise Again
Like Jágr, Tomáš Plekanec was born and raised in Kladno, and started his hockey journey there. Before his long NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens (and briefly with the Toronto Maple Leafs), Plekanec played his first full professional seasons with Kladno between 2000 and 2002.
After playing his 1001st NHL game in 2018, he returned home and played for Kladno once again. He finally hung up his skates due to health issues early in the 2023-24 season, after appearing in just nine games.
Tomáš Plekanec’s return to Kladno as sports director is more than just a job – it’s a homecoming. He brings valuable experience from his NHL career and a deep love for his hometown team. Alongside Jaromír Jágr and Jiří Berger, he hopes to guide Kladno into a new, more successful era.
With a strong vision from new owner Tomáš Drastil and a leadership team filled with hometown heroes, the future of Kladno hockey looks promising. Fans will be watching closely as this exciting new chapter unfolds.
