IIHF Worlds a Homecoming for Young Star Klara Chmelova

Among the young stars for a rapidly improving Czech Republic squad, Klara Chmelova is one of the building blocks upon which the team hopes to become one of the elites. In many ways, the 2013 IIHF Women’s Worlds in Ottawa also serves as a homecoming for Chmelova.

The Czechs held their training camp at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ontario (east of Ottawa). Chmelova was a former student of the Academy, and the experience was a positive one in her career development.

“It was a different world and a different experience. I experienced what it takes to compete. They take women’s hockey seriously out here. As far as school, it was a very different system. I met new people and that was a good experience.”

The opportunity to come back to the Academy for the Czech training camp brought back many feelings of happiness during her time as a student. “I am very happy. I can see my friends again. It is nice to see the people that I met before, especially while we have our prep camp here. I take it as a second home after the time I spent here.”

Chmelova brings with her a strong resume. She had the opportunity to compete with the Under-18 National Team. In asking if it was a good experience, she replied, “Of course. Every game is a good challenge. It is a very good experience competing with teams like the US and Canada. These are the best teams in the world.”

She was invited to compete at an IIHF camp in Bratislava, Slovakia in July 2011. “Definitely I enjoyed it. The US and Canada, and the other top countries try to help the whole world get women’s hockey at the same level. They told us a bunch of things to expect and how they do it. It spreads to the rest of the world and it is great that they share all this.”

Her great skill and strong skating also resulted in being one of the youngest players named to the 2014 Sochi Development Team. Of note, Canada’s Kim McCullough (who coached with Team Ontario Red) served as the Strength Coach for that team.

“It was definitely an honour to play on the team. As one of the youngest, I took it as a challenge, but it is good for the future development of our players.” While the Czechs are the youngest team at the IIHF Worlds, Chmelova is one of the great stars that provide hope for a bright future.

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”