HK Martin

HK Martin
City	Martin, Slovakia
League	Slovak 1. Liga
Founded	1932 (1932)
Home arena	Martin Ice Stadium (capacity 4,200)
Colours	blue, white
General manager	Milan Murček
Head coach	Róbert Spišák
Website	www.hkmartin.sk

HK Martin is a professional ice hockey team in the second highest league Slovak 1. Liga in Slovakia.

History

The club was established in 1932 as Slávia Martin. Later the name was changed to Sokol, ŠK, ZŤS, Hutník, Martimex ZŤS, Martimex and MHC Martin (2000–2010). The Slávia, Sokol, ŠK (Športový klub - Sport Club), TJ (Telovýchovná jednota - bodybuilding unity) names are common names meaning sport organisation in Slovakia or Czechoslovakia. The names Hutnik, ZŤS and Martimex are connected to heavy industry companies, a major employer in the region from the 1930s to the 1990s, which was a general sponsors. Since the 2010/2011 season the name of the club has been MHC Mountfield. From 1970 the club played in the county league in 1.SNHL. In the 1992/1993 season, the hockey club advanced into the Slovak Extraliga. MHC Martin played in the Slovak Extraliga every season thereafter except in 1999/2000 and 2004/2005, which were spent in the 1st-division Slovak National Hockey League.

After years of economic stability, which was rare for this provincial team, the management, head coach Dušan Gregor and his predecessor Ladislav Spišiak, systematically built up the team and won the bronze medal in the 2009/10 season. The team consisted of former youth players like Jaroslav Markovič jr., Andrej Themár, and Miroslav Dzubina, experienced players Ivan Ďatelinka, David Appel, Michal Macho, and Jaroslav Jabrocký, and veterans Michal Beran, Peter Klepáč, Marek Uram and Karol Križan. The team clinched the play-off spot by finishing in 4th place in the regular season (74 points in 47 matches). In the first round, MHC Martin got by HK36 Skalica with legendary Žigmund Pálffy on its roster, beating them 4 games to 3. In the second leg, MHC Martin lost to future champions HC Košice 4 games to 1.

The women's team, MHK Martin have won the women's Extraliga 10 times between 1997–2009. The junior organizations have also made some achievements, sending a number of players (and for years also doctor MUDr. Dalimír Jančovič, who cooperated with MHC Martin) into Slovak national men's, women's and junior competition.

Historical names

• Slávia Martin (1932–1939)
• Sokol Turčiansky Svätý Martin (1945–?)
• ŠK Martin (?)
• Spartak Martin (+/– 1957/58 +/–)
• TJ Hutník Martin (?–1969)
• Hutník Martin (1969/70)
• TJ Strojárne Martin (1970/71–1977)
• ZŤS Martin (1978–1989)
• HC Hutník ZŤS TS (1990–1992/1993)
• Martimex ZŤS Martin ()
• Martimex Martin ()
• MHC Martin (2000–2010)
• MHC Mountfield (2010–2016)
• MHK Martin (2017–2018)
• HK Martin (2018–)

Honours

Runners-up

• Tipsport Liga (2): 1994, 2010

International

• IIHF Continental Cup (1): 2009

NHL Alumni

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player	Pos	NHL Teams	GP	G	A	Pts	+/–	PIM
Róbert Švehla	D	Panthers, Maple Leafs	655	68	267	335	-5	649
Zdeno Cíger	LW	Devils, Oilers, Rangers, Lightning	352	94	134	228	-54	101
Radovan Somík	LW	Flyers	113	12	20	32	+7	27
Richard Pánik	LW	Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes	335	61	65	126	6	176
Peter Bartoš	LW	Wild	13	4	2	6	+2	6
Peter Smrek	D	Blues, Rangers	28	2	4	6	-5	18

Notable players in foreign leagues

• Oto Haščák - Elitserien, SM-liiga
• Rastislav Špirko - KHL
• Michal Macho - AHL
• Frantisek Skladany - AHL
• Jan Tabacek - AHL, KHL
• Lukas Kozak - KHL

External links

• Official club website Template:Sk icon