Release from 21.05.2020

Znojmo will not participate in the 20/21 season

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HC Orli Znojmo will not participate in the league’s 2020/21 season. For economic reasons, the Czechs announced at least a temporary withdrawal from the international league.

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After nine seasons, HC Orli Znojmo will have to withdraw from the international ice hockey league for economic reasons at least for the 2020/21 season. „As most of our partners are companies focused on cross-border and international trade, border closures and the economic consequences of the Corona pandemic hit them hard. As a consequence, we will lose about 60% of the planned budget for next season. Our primary focus is to ensure games can be played in Znojmo even in case of new restrictions", stated the HC Orli Znojmo in a joint statement.

Therefore, the club informed the league presidium and the clubs about the revocation of the entry for the upcoming season. However, the 2016 finalist, who will play in the Czech Republic's third league for the coming season, has expressed its intention to be part of the multinational league again from the 2021/22 season. A decision on this is to be made at the next general assembly.

"It is a pity that with HC Orli Znojmo we are losing a strong partner and a powerful team for the coming season. Those responsible have tried everything to date to create the basis for remaining in the league. As this has not been achieved in sufficient form despite all efforts and as the club cannot take any financial risk, this step must be respected," explains league managing director Christian Feichtinger.

Participation in the finals 2016 biggest success
On 31 May 2011, HC Orli Znojmo, after having played in the Czech extra league from 1999 to 2009 and then two seasons in the national second division, received the right to participate in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. The club reached the playoffs in its very first season, albeit through the qualifying round. All in all, the "Eagles" were in the postseason in eight of the nine seasons. In the 2015/16 season, they reached the finals for the sole time and only failed in the final series with a 2:4 victory over EC Red Bull Salzburg.

HC Orli Znojmo played a total of 523 games in nine Erste Bank Eishockey Liga seasons. The balance between victories (260) and defeats (263) is balanced. The Czechs won 25 times without conceding a goal. The "Eagles" cheered on goals a total of 1,640 times. They celebrated their highest victory on February 3, 2019 with an 11-2 win at KHL Medvescak Zagreb. Before that they won twice - each time at home - with eight goals difference (10:2 vs. DEC on October 12, 2014 and 8:0 vs. HKO on December 26, 2015). In the 2015/16 season Znojmo provided the "Most Valuable Player" with Colton Yellow Horn and with Libor Sulak also the "Youngstar of the Year". The award for the best young player of the season was also won in the previous season by Radek Cip, also a player from Znojmo.