Josef Jandac has been named the new coach of the Czech national team, starting with this fall’s World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
His contract also includes the 2017 World Championship in Germany/France, the 2018 World Championship in Denmark and the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, according to an announcement at the IIHF website.
The 47-year-old coach of Sparta Prague in the Czech Liiga, spent time as an assistant coach of the national team in the 2009 and 2010 World Championships, as well as the 2010 Olympics. He’s been named an assistant coach to current national team coach Vladimir Vujtek for the 2016 World Championship. He has previously served as head coach of Bili Tygri Liberec in the Czech Republic and a short stint with Lev Praha in the KHL.
Tomas Kral, President of the Czech Ice Hockey Association, called the decision to give Jandac a two-year contract “unanimous.”
“With Josef Jandac we agreed on a two-year contract and he will exclusively work for the national team. His first task will be working on a roster for the World Cup of Hockey.”
Vujtek remains as head coach through the upcoming World Championship and, though he had planned on retiring, the IIHF notes that his future plans are open. He may be given another position within the Czech Ice Hockey Association following the World Championships.