Two Canucks Set to Shine for Czechia in the Olympics
Men’s Olympic hockey is almost here, and two Canucks—Filip Hronek and David Kämpf—are set to skate for Czechia. Both bring very different skill sets, but each could be key to the Czech team's performance in Milan.
Hronek: Steady and Dangerous on the Blue Line.
Let’s start with Filip Hronek. This guy is a brilliant blueliner. Even on a struggling Canucks team, he’s been one of the NHL’s more reliable defensemen, the kind who quietly does everything right without the spotlight following him.
With Quinn Hughes now gone to the Minnesota Wild, Hronek has really stepped up. He’s sporting an ‘A’ this season and showing he can handle the pressure—five goals, 27 assists in 57 games, and a calm presence in the defensive zone. Add to that his international experience—five World Championships, multiple U20 tournaments—and you’ve got someone who knows how to lead when it matters. Hronek’s the kind of player who makes the people around him better, and Czechia will lean on that heavily.
Kämpf: The Gritty Glue Guy Who’s Great on Defence.
Then there’s David Kämpf. Not flashy, not a headline grabber, but solid, reliable, and fit as a fiddle. His scoring numbers with Vancouver aren’t eye-popping—two goals and four assists in 34 games—but he’s doing the little things that make teams competitive. Face-offs, penalty killing, shutting down top lines—he’s the player coaches love to have in those high-pressure moments.
Kämpf also knows international hockey. Three World Championships, two U20 World Juniors…he’s been around the block. His experience gives the Czech team depth and a steady hand in moments when other teams might wobble. Funny thing about Kämpf; when he's on the international stage, he actually becomes a bit of an offensive producer.
The Olympic Ice is Waiting.
These two are cut from different cloth—Hronek the smooth, skilled and physical defenceman; Kämpf the gritty, reliable centre—but together they give Czechia something rare: players who can perform under pressure without needing the spotlight in a tournament where every shift counts and matters more than stats alone.
So, as the Olympic puck drops, don’t forget to watch these Canucks. They might not be racking up flashy numbers or trending online, but when it comes to getting the job done for their country, Hronek and Kämpf are ready to carry the weight. Here’s hoping they make Czechia proud.