Czechia’s Pátek Shines in Paralympic Debut, Team Eyes Medal at Milano Cortina 2026

Milan – Theodor Pátek, at 18 years old, made a memorable debut for the Czech Para ice hockey team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, scoring his first Paralympic point and contributing to a decisive victory. The Czech team, seeded third, continues its pursuit of a first Paralympic medal, building on recent success at the World Championships.

Pátek’s Impactful Debut

Pátek entered the game in the second period with the Czechs leading by six goals. Despite initial nerves, he quickly settled in and scored the seventh goal for the team, assisted by captain Radek Zelinka. “The first point at the Paralympics, it’s a big thing and a memory when you have a puck like that at home,” Pátek shared after the match as reported by Paralympic.org.

Captain Zelinka praised Pátek’s achievement, stating, “I am very happy for him. It is proof that if a person wants and has the will, he can get to the biggest tournament in the world.” Coach Jakub Novotný also lauded the young player’s performance, calling the event “very nice.”

A Rapid Rise in Para Ice Hockey

Pátek’s journey to the Paralympics has been remarkably swift. He first tried para ice hockey in November 2024 at a camp in Litoměřice, quickly progressing to join Sparta Prague. He debuted with the national team in September 2025 against China and secured his spot on the Paralympic roster by scoring his first national team goal at a pre-Paralympic tournament in Italy.

From Football to the Sled

Prior to para ice hockey, Pátek was a passionate football player, playing as a goalkeeper despite having his right leg amputated above the ankle following an injury at the age of two. He was encouraged to try para-hockey by a physiotherapist connected to the national team and captain Radek Zelinka. “For several months, I played both parahockey and soccer because I didn’t know if I wanted to change it. But then I got really hooked on the sled and I said to myself that I want to accept it as far as possible. And now I’m here,” Pátek explained according to Paralympic.org.

Czechia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics

The Czech Republic is competing with a delegation of 24 athletes – 22 men and 2 women – in four sports at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, held from March 6th to 15th as noted by Wikipedia. The Para ice hockey team, along with biathlete Simona Bubeníčková, are considered the strongest medal contenders for the nation.

The Czech Para ice hockey team will compete in Group B alongside the United States, Italy, and South Korea. The team roster includes Martin Kudela, Petr Boček, Martin Žižlavský, Radek Zelinka, Theodor Pátek, Alex Ohar, David Vrubel, and Pavel Kubeš according to Wikipedia, among others.

Looking Ahead

With a strong team and a rising star in Theodor Pátek, Czechia aims to build on its consistent performance and finally reach the Paralympic podium in Milano Cortina 2026. The Para ice hockey competition takes place from March 7th to 15th at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.