Marek Malik is returning to Switzerland with Vitkovice Steel

He played 750 NHL games and was on Servette Geneva’s team during the 2009 / 2010 season. Now Marek Malik is returning to Switzerland with Vitkovice Steel, last season’s runner-up in the Czech championship, and will be having his Spengler Cup premiere.

“The level of Swiss hockey is very high,” says Marek Malik. He knows what he’s talking about as he got to know Swiss hockey well during his time in Geneva last season – and he says he was very impressed at the time. “Swiss hockey is very fast, the quality is good and the teams give everything on the attack. They get right down to business and the game constantly moves up and down the rink.”

He’s especially impressed with Spengler Cup hosts HC Davos: “For me, Davos has been one of Europe’s top-five teams for the past ten years. The club is well-known both in Switzerland and internationally – I think Davos is a very good team.”

The Game against Team Canada – A Special Challenge

In its first ever Spengler Cup game, Vitkovice Steel will be playing against Team Canada on December 26 (8:15pm CET). Malik is convinced: “It’s gonna be a good game. Canada always gives a 100 percent and will be a very strong opponent to play against. Although we don’t know yet who’ll be on their team – this game will be a special challenge for us.”

Olympic Bronze Medalist and Runner-up with Vitkovice Steel

More than 700 NHL games, Olympic bronze medalist with the Czech national team and runner-up in the Czech championship last season with Vitkovice Steel: The 36-year-old defender has been very successful and has achieved a lot throughout his professional hockey career - and he’s still aiming high.

Show Good Hockey and Gain Experience

No one on Vitkovice’s team has ever played at the Spengler Cup. “But if we are in good shape, we can get a good result in Davos,” says Malik. But more importantly, he wants to show good hockey, be on top of his game and gain experience from the matches against the successful European teams participating in this year’s Spengler Cup.