Rytiri Kladno
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Wikipedia - Rytíři Kladno
Rytíři Kladno (English: Kladno Knights) is a Czech professional ice hockey team based in the city of Kladno. They are currently a member of the Czech Extraliga. The team president and owner is Jaromír Jágr, a former NHL player, who is currently playing in home games for the team in addition to his ownership and administrative roles. The team plays its home games at ČEZ Stadion.
History
Kladno was a particularly strong team in the late 1970s, when it won four consecutive league titles (1975–1978), and again in 1980. The team's star, Milan Nový, was league MVP in 1977, 1981, and 1982, and won six scoring titles. František Pospíšil was the league MVP in 1971 and 1972. The team was sponsored by the State Security police until the Velvet Revolution of 1989.
Before the 1997-98 season Kladno lost its sponsor, ironworks Huť Poldi. Eventually the Poldi crest disappeared from Kladno jerseys and the successes that this once famous club achieved in previous years also disappeared, perennially finishing last in the league. Primarily the lack of funds did not allow to management improvement of club cadre and the main coach resigned.
Despite the departure of a number of players abroad in 2003, Kladno continued to perform well and celebrated return to the Czech highest-level league. However after the season 2012-13 Kladno performed poorly in the extraliga. Nor the withdrawal of coaches helped, the team reached the highest league again after the 12 years.
Jaromír Jágr played for his hometown Kladno for parts of four seasons, including during the NHL lockouts in 1994, 2004, and 2012. In January 2018, Jágr was assigned to HC Kladno after a partial season with the Calgary Flames. Jágr took over majority ownership from his father in 2011.
During the 2010–2011 season, the team was docked 6 points for having used players who were not correctly registered to the club, an affair which also involved the clubs BK Mladá Boleslav and HC Plzeň.
Summary of league participation
- 1951–1953: First Ice Hockey League (highest-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1953–1955: Celostátní soutěž (second-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1955–1983: First Ice Hockey League (highest-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1983–1985: 1. ČNHL (second-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1985–1986: First Ice Hockey League (highest-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1986–1987: 1. ČNHL (second-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1987–1993: First Ice Hockey League (highest-level league in Czechoslovakia)
- 1993–2002: Czech Extraliga (highest-level league in the Czech Republic)
- 2002–2003: 1st Czech Republic Hockey League (second-level league in the Czech Republic)
- 2003–2014: Czech Extraliga (highest-level league in the Czech Republic)
- 2014–2019 : WSM Liga (second-level league in the Czech Republic)
- 2019–20 : Czech Extraliga (highest-level league in the Czech Republic)
- 2020–21 : 1st Czech Republic Hockey League
- 2021–present : Czech Extraliga (highest-level league in the Czech Republic)
Rytiri Kladno competes in the Czech Extraliga, the top tier of ice hockey in the Czech Republic. The team has a dedicated fan base and plays their home games at the ČEZ Stadion Kladno, which has a seating capacity of over 8,000 spectators.
The team's colors are blue, white, and red, and their logo features a knight's helmet and shield. Rytiri Kladno has a reputation for producing talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NHL and other professional leagues around the world.
Overall, Rytiri Kladno is a respected and competitive team in Czech ice hockey, known for their skilled players, passionate fan base, and rich history in the sport.