Photo credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek, who is one of the top candidates to become the team’s captain, was snubbed from his nation’s leadership group.
After trading away Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild a couple weeks before Christmas, the Vancouver Canucks were left without a captain for the first time since January-October of 2023, but there have been some strong candidates named to wear the ‘C’ next, including defenseman Filip Hronek.
“He’s grown a lot, and he’ll continue to grow. I know he was good friends with J.T. Miller, and (that trade) hurt him, too. We all have buddies in the game. The longer you play, the more you realize guys come and go. That happens in hockey. I just think that Fil had to grow. I thought Fil could get to this point, but probably not this quick. I thought it would take longer. But his leadership, I think he’s ready to take another step there.” head coach Adam Foote said about Filip Hronek to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre recently.
Since Hughes’ departure, Hronek has joined the Vancouver Canucks’ leadership group on a permanent basis, wearing an ‘A’ on his sweater and after being named to Czechia’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, many thought he would find himself in the same boat on the world’s biggest stage, but unfortunately, that won’t be the case.
Vancouver Canucks’ Filip Hronek snubbed from Czechia’s leadership group
In a post on social media on Sunday, TSN insider Chris Johnston revealed that Team Czechia has named veteran forward Roman Cervenka as their captain for the 2026 Winter Olympics, while Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas have been named as alternates.
“Roman Cervenka has been named captain of Czechia for the Milan Olympics, with David Pastrnak and Radko Gudas serving as alternate captains.” Johnston said.
Roman Cervenka might not be a household name in North America, but the 40-year-old has been one of the best players in the Czech Extraliga throughout his entire professional hockey career, which began all the way back in 2003-04.
Cervenka has served as Czechia’s captain at the last four IIHF World Championships, leading his nation to gold on home ice in the spring of 2024, so it was a no-brainer to give him the ‘C’ for the Olympics.
As for Pastrnak and Gudas getting an ‘A’, they’re certainly worth of the honor as well, not taking that away from them whatsoever, but Filip Hronek too would have been a great addition for their leadership group, but head coach Radim Rulik ultimately decided to go in a different direction.
Filip Hronek and Team Czechia will open up the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday against the gold medal favourites, Canada, at 7:40 am PT.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
POLL
3 HOURS AGO|114 ANSWERS
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek snubbed from recently-named leadership group
Do you think that Filip Hronek should have been part of Czechia’s leadership group?