HC Energie Karlovy Vary is a professional ice-hockey team participating in the top league of the Czech Republic since 1997. Its name has been chosen to express thanks to the main sponsor, Sokolovská uhelná, a.s., a company engaged in brown coal mining. The most important success is dated to the 2008 / 2009 season, when HC Energie became the champion of the Czech Extraliga. The previous season 2007 / 2008 was successfull too, HC Energie became vice-champion and as a result got an invitation to Spengler Cup 2008, which has been a great honour.
The town of Karlovy Vary is situated in the west of Bohemia. With over 53 thousand inhabitants, it is the biggest spa town in the Czech Republic and a favourite target for domestic and also foreign visitors. They come to heal their digestive tract and other diseases and to discover the unique architecture. The most significant social and cultural event is the International Film Festival, held regularly in the begining of July. Not only ice-hockey, but also other sport activities are well supported. A football-tennis team and a female basketball team participate also in the highest-level leagues. In recent years, Karlovy Vary became a destination of golf lovers. Directly in the town, there are four golf courses, and many others can be found in the nearby region.
The first ice-hockey activities in Karlovy Vary began in 1932. The highest-level league was played for the first time in the fiftees; unfortunately, only for five seasons. The club relegated into regional leagues and, moreover, it had to face a danger of disbandment in the eighties. However, the year 1989 brought revolutionary changes not only to Czechoslovak politics but also to ice-hockey in Karlovy Vary. Led by Ladislav Trubač and Miroslav Vaněk, a proffesional club has grown up, which participates in the Czech Extraliga since 1997. Former names of the club: SK Slavia, Dynamo, Slavia Pozemní stavby, HC Slavia Becherovka, HC Becherovka.
In addition to the male team, the family of HC Energie includes also youth teams of all age categories and a female team. Their trainings are realized by qualified coaches according to the latest trends. All categories take part in their highest-level leagues and they do well. An example to mention is the U20 team which became the Czech champion for the 2007 / 2008 season. Furthermore, there is a successful sledge-hockey team in Karlovy Vary.
The matches of HC Energy teams take place at KV Arena finished in spring 2009. Its construction has begun in 2007 as a replacement of the stadium in Dolní Kamenná street (capacity 4680 visitors). Even thought the old stadium was built in seventies and doesn’t belong to the eldest ones, it can't satisfy present needs of players and also audience. With its capacity about 6000 visitors, KV Arena is the biggest multifunctional arena in the West Bohemian region. It's a home not only for ice-hockey players but also for many other cultural and sport events.
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