Few athletes after completing a career decide to try their hand at other sports. Most often, they remain in the familiar environment, becoming trainers, consultants, functionaries or taking similar positions. Some, by contrast, choose an activity that has nothing to do with sports.
The former goalkeeper of the London Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as the Czech national team Petr Cech, who already on October 13 will hold his debut match under the auspices of the English National Hockey League (NIHL), chose a different path for himself.
One of the most famous Czech football players ended his career at the end of the 2018/19 season, but did not sit idle for long. In June, he returned to the camp of "aristocrats" as technical director. However, the ex-athlete was briefly left without competitive practice. The NIHL Guildford Phoenix Club has announced the signing of a contract with Cech. In the team, he will also take the goalkeeper position.
“Ex-goalkeeper Petr Cech changed his football boots for ice skating, joining the Phoenix in his debut season. The goalkeeper is no stranger to ice. He is working on his game and will begin his hockey career after completing it in professional football, ”the statement said on the team’s website.
A team based in Surrey was founded in 2017. She currently plays in the fourth strongest division of the British Hockey League and takes second place in the standings. Details of the contract were not disclosed, however, it is reported that the Czech will appear in the "Phoenix" on a temporary basis. The 37-year-old athlete himself admitted that he was enthusiastic.
“I am glad for the chance to speak for Phoenix and get a gaming experience. I hope that I will be able to help the young team achieve their goals for the season and will try to win maximum matches with her when I have the opportunity to go on the ice, ”said the goalkeeper.
Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the Czech Republic, and, like most of the country's population, the Czech Republic is its loyal fan. According to the athlete, he was fond of playing the puck as a child, but only now he had the opportunity to do it on a professional level.
At the same time, the newly made hockey player assured football fans that signing a contract with Phoenix does not mean that he is leaving his post at Chelsea.
“It seems that some people think that I have changed jobs, but this is not so. Fortunately, the position of technical director at Chelsea does not prevent me from playing hockey in my free time, which I have loved since childhood and which I have been playing for many years. Being a professional football player, for obvious reasons, I could not do this ... But now I can, ”wrote Cech on Twitter.
The debut of the former footballer on ice will take place this Sunday in the third round match with Swindon Wildcats. Andy Hemmings, head coach and part-time player, noted the beginner’s hard work, and another Phoenix mentor Milos Menlicherik praised the significance of this transition.
“We are very pleased that Peter has joined the Phoenix, and we are looking forward to seeing him in action this weekend. He has made significant progress since the first time I saw him on ice. I’m eager to see him in the game, ”Menlicherik said.
The news about the signing of the contract with the hockey club attracted the attention of not only fans who did not expect such a turn in the career of the famous football player, but also colleagues. Ex-Boston Bruins goalkeeper Andrew Raycroft, who is a trainer at the University of Connecticut, has already offered his help in working with a newcomer.
Phoenix, if you need a goalkeeper mentor, I would like to offer my candidacy, ”Racroft joked.
Cech’s career really could have turned out quite differently. He recalled how, as a schoolboy, in his native Pilsen he met the coach of the local children's hockey team, and he invited him to try his hand. The boy immediately filled out an application and took it to his parents. However, the family could not afford to buy a uniform and had to abandon the idea. So that the future athlete would not be upset, he was sent to the football section, where he soon took the position of goalkeeper.
Passing the Czech Hops and Sparta, as well as the French Rennes, Czech ended up in the English Premier League (Premier League), which remained faithful after the completion of his football career. With Chelsea, he became the four-time champion of England and the winner of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, and won the FA Cup as part of Arsenal.