Vladimir RUZICKA

A forward, Vladimír Růžička first competed internationally for Czechoslovakia at the 1979 European Junior Championships. He competed at that tournament again in 1981 and made the All-Star Team. He also played at the World Juniors in 1981-83, making the All-Star Team at that tournament in both 1982 and 1983. In addition to his two Olympic appearances, Růžička played for Czechoslovakia at the World Championships in 1983 and 1985-87, winning a set of medals – gold in 1985, silver in 1983, and bronze in 1987. He also skated for his nation at the Canada Cup in 1985 and 1988.

At the club level, Růžička started out with CHZ Litvínov in 1977 and remaining with them through 1987 when he moved to Dukla Trenčín for two years, before returning to Litvinov in the 1989-90 season. Růžička was drafted in the 5th round by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1982 but never played for them. He was again eligible for the NHL entry draft in 1989 and was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the 4th round. Růžička played for five years in the NHL, one with the Oilers, three with the Boston Bruins and his final season of 1993-94 with the Ottawa Senators. He also played a few games that season with Zug in the Swiss A league, but then returned to the Czech Republic, playing his final six years with SK Slavia Praha, before retiring after the 1999-2000 season.

In 2002 Růžička became a coach with SK Slavia Praha and guided them to the Czech Extraliga title in 2003 and 2008. From 2002-04 he was assistant coach of the Czech National Team. When the head coach, Ivan Hlinka, was killed in a car crash in 2004, Růžička was named the new head coach and led the team to the 2005 World Championship.